Curcumin, found in turmeric, has numerous reported health benefits as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The latest is a reduction of airway inflammation in asthma. Allergic reactions can trigger asthma attacks in many patients. Korean researchers used an animal model of mice sensitized to egg albumin. An aerosol albumin challenge was used to trigger airway hyper-responsiveness, which was analyzed in terms of inflammatory cell number and IgE levels. Curcumin administered at 200 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced signs of developing asthma.
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Asian dishes, and is also known as Indian saffron. Recipes available on the Internet recommend about a quarter teaspoon per serving for some of the spiciest dishes. A traditional Asian meal may contain several such dishes, for a total turmeric “dose” of one to two teaspoons per day. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in these quantities with no reported adverse effects.
Earlier studies have demonstrated curcumin's protection from lung injury and fibrosis in animals exposed to radiation, chemotherapeutic drugs, and toxicants. The authors of Reference 2 suggest that curcumin may help protect the lungs from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome, as well as allergic asthma.
Curcumin has also been tested on skin allergic reactions in mice. Researchers in Wisconsin showed that curcumin reduced latex allergy reactions. Korean researchers used the spice extract to reduce scratching behavior in mice with passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions, which are triggered by antigens.
The mechanism for curcumin's benefits in allergic reactions is believed to be similar to its actions in treating inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. In part, it blocks the action of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme, as aspirin and other NSAIDs do.
Turmeric extracts are widely available in pill or capsule form as dietary supplements, in case you don't like your food quite so spicy.
References:
1. Oh SW et al, “Curcumin attenuates allergic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness in mice through NF-kappaB inhibition”, J Ethnopharmacol. 2010 Jul 17. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Venkatesan N et al, “Protection from acute and chronic lung diseases by curcumin”, Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007; 595: 379-405.
3. Trinh HT et al, “Inhibitory effects of curcuminoids on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction and scratching behavior in mice”, Arch Pharm Res. 2009 Dec; 32(12): 1783-7.
4. Kurup VP et al, “Immune response modulation by curcumin in a latex allergy model”, Clin Mol Allergy. 2007 Jan 25; 5:1.
5. Turmeric for inflammatory conditions:
https://www.empowher.com/news/herarticle/2010/01/05/turmeric-curcumin-inflammatory-conditions
Linda Fugate is a scientist and writer in Austin, Texas. She has a Ph.D. in Physics and an M.S. in Macromolecular Science and Engineering. Her background includes academic and industrial research in materials science. She currently writes song lyrics and health articles.