Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Influenza

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Synopsis

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

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, to help manage symptoms of respiratory illnesses, including those resembling influenza. Its primary active compound, curcumin, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects in laboratory and animal studies. These properties theoretically could help the body respond to viral infections such as influenza by reducing inflammation and supporting immune function.

However, while turmeric is commonly used in traditional medicine for general immune support and to alleviate symptoms like sore throat, cough, and congestion, there is limited direct scientific evidence specifically supporting its efficacy against influenza in humans. Most modern research has focused on cell culture and animal models, where curcumin has shown some inhibitory effects on influenza virus replication and may modulate immune responses. For example, a few in vitro studies suggest that curcumin can interfere with viral entry or replication, but these findings have not been robustly translated into clinical trials.

To date, there are no large-scale, high-quality human clinical trials directly validating the use of turmeric or curcumin for the prevention or treatment of influenza. Thus, while its use is justified by traditional practices and supported by plausible mechanisms, the overall scientific evidence remains preliminary. Turmeric may be considered a supportive adjunct in traditional settings, but it should not replace proven antiviral treatments or influenza vaccines.

More about turmeric
More about Influenza

Other ingredients used for Influenza

green chiretta
astragalus
Myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
glehnia root
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green tea
honeysuckle
L-cysteine
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
Monolaurin
Nettle
quercetin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
vitamin C
vitamin D
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
boneset
alpinia galangal
Myrrh
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
flowering quince
ganoderma
anemarrhena asphodeloides
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
Algae
avens
Agarikon Mushroom
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
anamu
AHCC
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
astragaloside
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Adenophora
Alliin
Asarum sieboldii
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
balsam
Basidiomycota
borage
Bupleurum
baicalin
Black Hellebore
balloon flower
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
coriolus mushroom
Clerodendrum phlomidis
carvacrol
cineole
Centipeda
Cistus
Chaenomeles lagenaria
currant
Chondrus
Ephedra
European Elder
elk antler
Echinacea
Elder
Euphorbia
Embelia
fat liver oil
flavanones
frankincense
flavones
Glehnia littoralis
Guaco
Gallesia
Glycyrrhizin
Hyperoside
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Immunoglobulin G
iridoids
Lycium
Ledebouriella
Lomatium
lichen
Lycopodium
labrador tea
little ironweed
liverwort
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Neoandrographolides
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Premna
Platycodon
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Polygonatum
Polygonum
ravinsara
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Xanthophyll
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