Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Infection (viral)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, for treating a variety of ailments associated with infections and inflammation. More recently, scientific research has started to investigate the potential antiviral properties of turmeric and its primary active compound, curcumin. Several in vitro and animal studies have shown that curcumin can inhibit the replication of certain viruses, such as influenza, hepatitis C, and even SARS-CoV-2, possibly by interfering with viral entry into cells or by modulating host immune responses.

However, while these laboratory findings are promising, human clinical trials are limited and often of low quality or small sample size. Most evidence supporting turmeric’s use for viral infections comes from preclinical studies, and bioavailability issues (curcumin is poorly absorbed orally) further complicate its therapeutic application. Some small trials suggest benefits as an adjunct to standard therapy in viral infections, but robust, large-scale clinical evidence is lacking. As such, the scientific evidence supporting turmeric’s effectiveness against viral infections is preliminary, and its use should be considered complementary rather than primary. More research, especially well-designed human trials, is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this indication.

More about turmeric
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Other ingredients used for Infection (viral)

2'-Fucosyllactose
Ajoene
alpha-pinene
arabinogalactan
barberry
Myrobalan
berberine
beta-glucan
betel
black cumin
burdock
cassia bark
cat's claw
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
immunoglobin G
iodine
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
licorice root
mangosteen
Monolaurin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
Turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Xylitol
Zinc
sarsaparilla
Yellow root
boneset
pistacia integerrima gall
Swertia
pau d'arco
Yerba santa
oriental arborvitae
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
geranium
Agarikon Mushroom
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Agave
anamu
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
AHCC
aucubin
andrographolide
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Asarum sieboldii
Artepillin C
bee propolis
babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
betulinic acid
Blepharis
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Brazilian peppertree
Bauhinia
baicalin
Belamcanda
coriolus mushroom
carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
casticin
Centipeda
Cistus
Campsiandra angustifolia
calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
dialyzable leukocyte extract
European Elder
Echinacea
fucoidan
Flueggea suffruticosa
fernbush
Glucan peptides
Globulins
Graviola
galangin
Gallesia
golden shower tree
Hypericin
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Immunoglobulin G
Ivy
Java brucea
Kachnar
knotgrass
Lentinan
Lomatium
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lichen
Lapachol
liverwort
Labdanum
Mountain horopito
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
mangostin
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Naphthoquinones
Phellodendron
Premna
Phragmites
polysaccharides
phlorotannins
Pelargonium
Piper retrofractum
Quebracho
Rhabdosia rubescens
ravinsara
Shikonin
Sanguisorba
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
Simaruba
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Smoketree
Tannins
Terpinen-4-ol
Thuja
Trametes
Thiosulfinate
Tylophorine
Verbascoside
Viscum coloratum
Xanthorrhizol
Xanthoparmelia
Zingerone

Other health conditions supported by turmeric

Abdominal Pain
Abrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Acne
Adenitis
Afterbirth Pain
Age Spots
Aging (prevention)
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Blood Clots (prevention of)
Blood in Stool
Body Odor
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Bursitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Carbuncles
Cartilage Damage
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Chest Pain
Chicken Pox
Cholera
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Circulation (to the brain)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colitis
Colon (atonic)
Colon (spastic)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (lymphatic)
Congestion (sinus)
Conjunctivitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Corns
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Cradle Cap
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cuts
Cystic Breast Disease
Cysts
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Denture Sores
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diaper Rash
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diphtheria
Dislocation
Diverticulitis
Duodenal Ulcers
Dyspepsia
Edema
Endometriosis
Enteritis
Epstein Barr Virus
Eye Infections
Eye Problems
Eyes (red or itching)
Eyesight (poor)
Fat Metabolism (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Free Radical Damage
Fungal Infections
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gall Stones
Gangrene
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Glaucoma
Goiter
Gonorrhea
Gout
Halitosis
Hangover
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Heavy Metal Poisoning
Hemochromatosis
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hernias
Herpes
Impetigo
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Itching (rectal)
Jaundice (adults)
Jaundice (infants)
Jock Itch
Kidney Infection
Knees (weak)
Laryngitis
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leucorrhea
Leukemia
Lice
Ligaments (torn or injured)
Liver Detoxification
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Malaria
Mastitis
Measles
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Mumps
Muscular Dystrophy
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Oral Surgery
Ovarian Pain
Overacidity
Pain (general remedies for)
Paralysis
Parasites (general)
Pets (supplements for)
Phlebitis
Pleurisy
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Psoriasis
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Scabies
Scars / Scar Tissue
Sciatica
Scratches and Abrasions
Senility
Skin (infections)
Slivers
Snake Bite
Sprains
Staph Infections
Stiff Neck
Stye
Tendonitis