How Turmeric Can Help with Seasonal Allergies
If you’ve ever experienced seasonal allergies, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms linger for days. Did you know that a spice used in curry sauce can help soothe those symptoms?
Turmeric is a yellow spice that is made from the root of the Curcuma longa plant. Curcumin is an antioxidant compound found in turmeric. It is the main bioactive ingredient that is responsible for giving turmeric its bright, golden yellow color.
Research has shown that it has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, and is very effective at helping the body maintain a normal inflammatory response1. Since many allergy symptoms, such as coughing and sinusitis, are the result of a hyperactive inflammatory response, turmeric may help improve these symptoms.
A 2008 article reviewed the effectiveness of curcumin in treating symptoms of both the allergic response and asthma2. The researchers looked at different studies to show that the allergic response was significantly inhibited for those patients receiving curcumin as part of their standard diet.
Another study from 2013 found that curcumin reduced the allergic response3. During the study, a group of patients were sensitized to allergens, before a curcumin supplement preparation was added into their regular diet. The patients who received the curcumin supplement showed a reduction in the number of allergic rhinitis symptoms, including sneezing, frequency of nose rubbing, eye tearing, and nasal congestion.
In a 2016 study, 241 subjects received either oral curcumin or placebo over the course of two months. The researchers used nasal symptoms and airflow resistance to measure how much air was moving through the nostrils and determine the therapeutic effect of the curcumin. They found that those who received the curcumin showed reduced signs of sneezing, runny nose, and less nasal congestion. These symptoms were reduced by approximately 70 percent and persisted after the trial had finished4.
Curcumin is best absorbed when combined with black pepper. Our Turmeric supplement is made with organic turmeric root and includes a patented black pepper extract that's been shown to significantly enhance the bioavailability of curcumin.
References:
1. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A multicenter study. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2014;9:451-458.
2. Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in allergy. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2008 Sep;52(9):1031-1039
3. Therapeutic potential of curcumin in experimentally induced allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs. International Immunopharmacology. 2013 Sep;17(1):18-25
4. Effect of curcumin on nasal symptoms and airflow in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2016 Dec;117(6) 697-702