This entry is submitted by Gloria Gamat, via Creative Reporter.Turmeric, the precious, pungent wood-tasting spice of Asia, is being noticed by scientists in the West. The spice and a chemical it contains - curcumin - are being probed for their potential to prevent and treat a broad range of diseases: cancer, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's Disease and arthritis.

A relative of ginger, turmeric is a powder ground from the root of a large-leafed Asian plant. Researchers believe the curcumin it contains fights disease partly by shutting down a powerful protein that promotes an abnormal inflammatory response in the body. The spice also has potent antioxidant properties (and may even lower cholesterol).

Mouse studies at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have shown that the spice blocks growth of a skin cancer, melanoma, and inhibits the spread of breast cancer into the lungs.

The active component of turmeric turns out to be the best blocker yet of a natural chemical called TNF, or tumor necrosis factor, which contributes to cancers and arthritis and is resistant to chemotherapy drugs.

Scientists at UCLA are now conducting the first-ever clinical trials of curcumin on humans with Alzheimer's Disease.

Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Washington and Johns Hopkins are conducting early human trials looking at whether curcumin can be used as a potential therapy for cystic fibrosis.

While intriguing, experts caution that all these results are still preliminary. No one yet knows if turmeric will end up another herbal fad or make a lasting contribution to Western medicine.

About Gloria Gamat: Gloria is a proud single-mom to Raine (Rainier Brando: born 29 December 2002) and a Chemist. Gloria also blogs about motherhood at EMothersOnline and about life and travel in the Philippines at The Philippine Culture Blog and at Pinoy Travel Blog respectively.