Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare addressed questions regarding research on turmeric's medicinal benefits, research infrastructure, adverse effects, database maintenance, and curcumin content. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) provided research findings and information. The document outlines research findings related to turmeric and other medicinal crops.
Key Points / Main Content:
Research on Medicinal Benefits of Turmeric:
* ICMR has prepared monographs on Turmeric (Curcuma longa) including medicinal properties, phytochemical, pharmacological research, bioactivities, and adverse effects.
* ICAR-IISR Kozhikode found a biherbal extract of turmeric and cinnamon reduced blood glucose and cholesterol levels in diabetic animals, improving pancreatic architecture and tissue integrity in the liver and kidney.
* CCRAS has generated evidence of the safety and effectiveness of 22 classical formulations containing turmeric for 15 disease conditions.
Research Infrastructure:
* ICAR-IISR Kozhikode has adequate infrastructure for turmeric research, including a field gene bank and laboratories for quality analysis.
* ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand, and ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticulture Research, Bengaluru, have adequate infrastructure for other medicinal crops.
* Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, has a dedicated medicinal plant research facility with tissue culture, molecular biology, phytochemistry, and microbiology laboratories.
Research on Adverse Effects:
* ICAR-IISR Kozhikode found that a cinnamon and turmeric extract increased liver catalase activity in animal studies, with no significant changes in other liver enzymes and no observed abnormalities like liver injury, blood thinning, or digestive upset.
Curcumin Content Assessment:
* ICAR-IISR Kozhikode has assessed curcumin content in turmeric varieties, identifying high-curcumin varieties like IISR Prathibha, IISR Pragati, Alleppey Supreme, Roma, and Rajendra Sonia.
* Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged varieties like Lakadong turmeric and Waigaon turmeric are cultivated for their higher curcumin content.
Annexure:
* Lists disease-wise formulations validated under clinical research projects until March 31, 2025, containing turmeric as a component ingredient.
Impact Analysis:
ICMR, ICAR, CCRAS, ARI:
Impact: These research organizations have conducted and provided data on turmeric's medicinal properties, potential adverse effects, and curcumin content. They also have developed research infrastructure.
Action Required: Continue research and development activities as needed.
Turmeric Farmers:
Impact: Information on high-curcumin varieties can influence cultivation choices.
Action Required: Consider adopting high-curcumin varieties for cultivation.
Pharmaceutical Companies:
Impact: Data on turmeric's medicinal properties can inform the development of new medicines.
Action Required: Utilize research findings for potential pharmaceutical applications.
Patients:
Impact: Research findings on the safety and effectiveness of turmeric formulations may influence treatment decisions.
Action Required: Consult healthcare professionals for treatment advice.
General Public:
Impact: Increased awareness of turmeric's benefits and potential risks.
Action Required: Stay informed about research findings and consult healthcare professionals for health-related concerns.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy.
Turmeric Curcuma longa: The scientific name of turmeric, a medicinal plant being researched.
Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR: An Indian organization involved in medical research, which has prepared monographs on Turmeric.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR: An Indian organization involved in agricultural research.
Indian Institute of Spices Research ICARIISR, Kozhikode: An agricultural research institute located in Kozhikode, Kerala, India, that conducts research on spices, including turmeric.
Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS: An Indian organization involved in research related to Ayurvedic medicine.
Maharashtra: A state in India where Waigaon turmeric is cultivated.
Lakadong turmeric from NorthEastern states: A Geographical Indication (GI) tagged variety of turmeric cultivated in the North Eastern states of India.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH RESEARCH
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3302
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08THAUGUST, 2025
MEDICINALBENEFITS OFTURMERIC
3302.SHRIARVINDDHARMAPURI:
Willthe Ministerof HEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government hasconducted anyresearch onthe medicinalbenefits/properties
of turmeric andif so, the findingsof the research thereof;
(b) whether the Government hasdeveloped adequateresearch infrastructure for turmeric and
othermedicinalcropsin the countryandif so, the detailsof the infrastructure developed inthis
regard;
(c) whether the Government hasconducted anyresearch onadverse effectslinked toturmeric
consumption, especiallythe risk of liverinjury,bloodthinning, digestive upset andsimilar
reactionsandif so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government hasprepared/maintains a database of allallopathic and
ayurvedic medicinesthat containturmeric asa componentalongwith their respective uses;
(e) if so, the detailsthereofand if not,the reasons therefor; and
(f) whether the Government hasconducted anyassessment/research onthe percentageof
curcumin ideal for the turmeric to be used in pharmalogical use and the States which are producing
turmeric with the ideal levelof curcuminandif so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a),(d) and(e): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that it has prepared
monographs on Turmeric (Curcuma longa) containing information on medicinal properties and relevant
research data pertaining tophytochemicals,pharmacologicalresearch, bioactivities,adverse effects etc.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has informed that Indian Institute of Spices Research
(ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode conducted research on antidiabetic properties of bi-herbal extract containing
turmeric and cinnamon in animal model. The result showed that administration of the bi-herbal extract at
150mg/g body weight significantly reduced the blood glucose level of diabetic animals. The treatment also
resulted in the reduction of cholesterol levels. The histopathological examination of tissues showed the
improvementinpancreatic architectureandrestoration of tissue integrity inliverandkidney.The Central Council for Research inAyurvedicSciences (CCRAS) hasinformedthatit hasbeengenerating
evidence of 22 classical formulations containing turmeric studied on 15 disease conditions. The findings
suggested that these formulations are safe and effective in corresponding disease conditions. Details are
giveninAnnexure.
(b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has informed that Indian Institute of Spices
Research (ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode has adequate research infrastructure for turmeric like field gene bank
and sophisticated laboratories to analyse the quality constituents of turmeric. Similarly, ICAR-Directorate
of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research, Anand and ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticulture Research,
Bengaluruhave adequate research infrastructure for othermedicinalcrops.
Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and
Technology (DST) has informed that it has dedicated medicinal plant research facility, which includes
tissue culture,molecular biology,phytochemistry andmicrobiologylaboratories.
(c): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has informed that Indian Institute of Spices
Research (ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode has conducted animal study to analyse the effect of cinnamon and
turmeric extract on growth, blood parameters and metabolic enzyme activities. The results showed
significant increase in liver catalase activity and no significant changes in Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH),
Malate Dehydrogenase (MDH), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST).
No abnormalitieslike liver injury,bloodthinning, digestive upset etc.were observed.
(f): Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has further informed that IndianInstitute of Spices
Research (ICAR-IISR), Kozhikode has conducted detailed assessment of curcumin content of various
turmeric varieties. Several varieties with high curcumin content (above 5%) like IISR Prathibha, IISR
Pragati, Alleppey Supreme, Roma, Rajendra Sonia etc. have been released for cultivation. These varieties
have been adopted by turmeric farmers in several states. In addition, Geographical Indications (GI)-tagged
varieties like Lakadong turmeric from North-Eastern states and Waigaon turmeric from Maharashtra are
also cultivated for their higher curcumin content. Therefore, the availability of high curcumin varieties is
not restricted toparticular states or regions.
*****Annexure
Disease-wise formulations* validated under clinical research projects till 31st March, 2025, which contain
Turmeric asa component/ingredient.
S.No. Name of thedisease condition Nameof theAyurveda formulation
1. Agnimandya 1. Pippaladyasava
2. AllergicConjunctivitis 2. Haridrakhand
3. Cognitive Deficit 3. Kalyanaka Ghrita
4. Type IIDiabetesMellitus 4. SaptavimshatikaGuggulu
5. Haridra Churna,
6. NisaAmalaki Churna tablet
7. Chandraprabha vati
8. Nishakatakadi Kashaya,
5. Eczema(Vicharchika) 9. Nalpamaradi Taila
6. Essential Hypertension 10. Ashvagandhadyarishta,
7. Fissure-in-ano (Parikartika) 11. Jatyadi Ghrita
12. Jatyadi Taila
8. Hyperuricemia inGout patients (Vatarakta) 13. Nimbadi Churna
9. Iron DeficiencyAnemia 14. Punarnavadi Mandura
10. Mental Retardation 15. Brahma Rasayana
11. Migraine (Ardhavabhedaka) 16. Pathyadi Kvatha Churna
12. Psoriasis (Kitibha) 17. Panchtiktaguggulu Ghrita
18. Brihanmarichadya Taila
19. Nalpamaradi Taila
13. Rasayana 20. Brahma Rasayana
14. Urolithiasis 21. Chandraprabha vati
15. YuvanPidika(Acne) 22. Nimbadi Churna
*Someformulationsrepeatedindifferentdisease conditionsor indifferentcombinations
{Source: Central Council for Research inAyurvedic Sciences(CCRAS) inputs}
*****