Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is commonly used in Asian cooking. It can be used fresh, or dried and ground, and also features in traditional Indian medicine.

If you’ve ever had curry powder, chances are you’ve eaten turmeric. It’s the spice that gives the golden yellow colour to a lot of curries.

What’s caught scientists’ attention is the compound responsible for the yellow colour in turmeric—curcumin.

Curcumin is thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. There’s also evidence it could be good for your mental health when used to fight depression.

COULD CURCUMIN HELP IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

A Murdoch University study found curcumin is better than a placebo at reducing symptoms in people with a major depressive disorder.

The research found 250mg of curcumin, 500mg of curcumin and a combination of curcumin and saffron, were all effective.

The treatments also reduced anxiety.

Curcumin worked best in study participants with atypical depression, who make up about 40% of adults with depression.

This could be because people with atypical depression have high levels of inflammation.