Evidence supporting the use of: Turmeric
For the health condition: Skin (infections)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has a long-standing traditional use in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various skin conditions, including infections. More recently, scientific studies have begun to validate some of these traditional claims. The primary active constituent, curcumin, has demonstrated notable antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in laboratory and animal studies. Research indicates that curcumin can inhibit the growth of several pathogens implicated in skin infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Streptococcus species, and various fungi. Additionally, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory effects may help reduce redness, swelling, and discomfort associated with infected or inflamed skin.

Several in vitro (test tube) and animal studies have shown that topical or systemic administration of curcumin can accelerate wound healing, reduce microbial load, and lessen symptoms of skin infections. However, clinical evidence in humans is limited but growing. Some small-scale clinical trials and case reports suggest benefit, particularly when turmeric is used as a topical agent in ointments or pastes. Nevertheless, issues such as poor skin absorption and rapid degradation of curcumin remain challenges for its clinical use. Ongoing research is focused on developing more effective delivery systems.

In summary, while traditional use is robust and scientific studies are increasingly supportive, high-quality human clinical trials are still needed. The current evidence base warrants cautious optimism, justifying a moderate score of 3 out of 5.

More about turmeric
More about Skin (infections)

Other ingredients used for Skin (infections)

Ajoene
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
barberry
beeswax
bisabolol
black walnut
chlorophyll
copper
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
goldenseal
heartwood
knotweed
Japanese sophora
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactoperoxidase
Monolaurin
quercetin
Trypsin
vitamin C
Zinc
bentonite
sarsaparilla
Yellow root
Mullein
chickweed
typhonium
paederia foetida
smilax
Rubia cordifolia
privet
goldenrod
Yarrow
juniper berries
sweetgums
oriental arborvitae
sheep's sorrel
queen of the meadow
Wintergreen
camphor oil
Stillingia
White oak
melaleuca alternifolia
10-Undecenoic Acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Akebia
Aquilegia viridiflora
alpha-terpineol
azelaic acid
Ardisia
Agave
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Alchornea
American Pawpaw
Albizia
asafoetida
Ajuga
aucubin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Allantoin
Aureobasidium pullulans
Alkanet
Alstonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
Acemannan
Allyl isothiocyanate
Abuta
Alkanna
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Artepillin C
babchi
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
Black spruce
Blepharis
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
Brazilian peppertree
bisabolene
bael
benzoin
borate
Backhousia citriodora
banyan
Bacillus
burning bush
Bergenia
Casearia esculenta
croton seeds
Clerodendrum phlomidis
citral
California pitcher plant
Cistus
cypress
chaparral
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Cedrus libani
castile soap
Cynodon dactylon
Chiococca alba
cocklebur
Chekiang Fritillary
copaiba oil
citronella
Didymocarpus
daphne
emu oil
Echinodorus
Ficus religiosa
farnesol
fleabane
frankincense
fir
gallic acid
geraniol
genipap
glyceryl caprylate caprate
Galium
geranial
Glycolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Gigartina
Galbanum
golden shower tree
Guazuma ulmifolia
Hypericin
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Houttuynia
hydroxyquinoline
Hyaluronidase
Immunoglobulin G
Indian nightshade
Indian sarsparilla
Immortelle
Ivy
Jatoba
Kigelia africana
Kachnar
knotgrass
loquat
Lactobacillus plantarum
Ledebouriella
Lilium polyphyllum
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lophira lanceolata
lupulone
lactic acid
Leptadenia
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
liverwort
Loranthus
Laminaria
Lysimachia
Labdanum
Mesua
Mountain horopito
Marjoram
Mucilage
Mountain mahogany
Matapalo Tree
Mahonia
Milkweed
Marking Nut Tree
manzanita
Nasturtium
Night jessamine
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
purple Tephrosia
Premna
Pepper Bark Tree
Polypodium
Pentatropis capensis
Plumbago zeylanica
Queen's Delight
Rosmanol
Rosa laevigata
Rhododendron
Spilanthes
Silkmoth
Streptomyces
Scoparia dulcis
Shikonin
Spikenard
Snakeroot
Silk protein
Sesquiterpenic Acid
Solanum anguivi
Sarcandra glabra
Semiaquilegia
Soapberry
Sapindus mukorossi
Semecarpus anacardium
Simaruba
Skunkvine
Sulfur
Storax
Stone Root
Smoketree
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
Takuna
Veronica
Verbascoside
Wrightia tinctoria
Witch Hazel
Waltheria ovata
Xanthorrhizol
Xanthoparmelia
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yellow Dock

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