Turmeric powder benefits us as both a spice and medicine, and as a medicine it’s becoming very important in the cancer-cure area of research. Turmeric is India’s premier spice and they’re the world’s largest producers of turmeric as well as the world’s largest consumers of it. Turmeric is translated from a Latin word meaning “earth-merit.”
Turmeric powder has been given to dogs and no matter how much was given, the dogs showed no ill effects from it. However, some surprises resulted, too. The dose is 1/8 to ¼ tsp. for every 10 pounds of dog.
Turmeric is a member of the ginger family, originating in Asia (where growing turmeric goes back thousands of years), and the root is the part used. The bio-active compound (active ingredient or healing properties) of turmeric is curcumin; the prime ingredient that acts as a spice and pain reliever in dogs. For this reason it’s a great food-additive for dogs that suffer from arthritis and a host of other ailments and illnesses that cause them pain.
Turmeric Healing
Animals (and people) injured topically can benefit from turmeric’s antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties when treated. Dr. Ron Wil, DVM in Portland, Oregon said, “To treat something on the skin, simply mix honey with the turmeric to form a paste and apply it to the abrasion.” During research for this article, seven times this advice was given and it was exactly the same every time. A lot of people swear by it, even as the largely faith-based claims have been subjected to rigorous testing by scientists over the last 50 years.
Well-documented studies done on laboratory animals by the Department of Small Animal Clinical Scientists suggest that curcumin has significant anti-cancer activities and properties. Curcumin is making huge strides in cancer cures, as it not only inhibits tumor growth, but it shrinks existing tumors and prevents new ones from growing in carcinogenic cancers.
Medicinal Uses of Turmeric
Curcumin’s medical effects are reported widely; here are just some of the circumstances that turmeric (curcumin) helps:
- It blocks inflammation
- Kills some infections and microbes
- Improves heart health and function
- Antioxidant
- Anticarcinogenic
- Antimicrobial
- Antibiotic
- Antimutagenic
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-aging
- Cures stomach ailments
- Swimmer’s ear cure
- Sinus infection cure
- Kills parasites
- Prevents cataracts
- Shows promise as a treatment for multiple sclerosis
- Repairs internal damage done by long-term diabetes (and diabetes-caused wound care)
Turmeric Side Effects
Increased body temperature is the only known side effect thus far, and an elevated temperature that isn’t feverish, just warmer. There are people with sensitive skin who break into a rash at the mere touch of turmeric, but only a very high dose makes anyone, including a dog, react.
More than just the turmeric spice industry, other industries benefiting from curcumin are:
- Dyes
- Cosmetics
- Medicine - for cancer, diabetes, blood thinner and animal pain
Herbal medicines usually come in the forms of powder, chopped leaf and stem and possibly the roots, or in tinctures. They are best prescribed for a certain animal and not as a 'blanket' off-the-shelf treatment for all animals. They are pharmacologically active ingredients and shouldn't be mixed with drugs from the vetrinarian, or even with other herbal remedies without checking with a holistic vetrinarian first.
Sources:
Alternative Vetrinary Medicine Center, "Care & Administration of Herbal Medicines Supplied by the AVM," by Veterinary Surgeon Christopher Day, published 2007, accessed on 1/3/2011 at 4:25pm.
VetMed.ufl.edu, by R.M. Clemmons, DVM PhD, "Integrative Treatment of Dogs with Arthritis Such as Canine Hip Dysplasia", no publish date, accessed on January 3, 2011 at 3pm. Curcumin Update, "Curcumin Update," by Dale Kiefer, no publish date, accessed on 1/3/11 at 6:04pm.
Buzzle, "Herbal Pain Relief for Dogs," by Debopriya Bose, no publish date, accessed on 1/3/11 at 5:45pm.
Pet Place, "Can Turmeric or Curcuma Longa be Used in Dogs," by Dr. Jon Rappaport, no publish date, accessed on 1/3/11 at 5:15pm.
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