Curcumin has potential health benefits

Curcumin, a distinctive yellow-orange chemical extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric, may help fight osteoarthritis and other diseases.

Curcumin is increasingly being added to cosmetic products that claim to help treat acne and eczema, prevent dry skin, and even slow down the ageing process. Other health claims include relieving allergies, preventing cancer, and improving heart health.

However, the proportion of curcumin in turmeric is just 3% by weight, and doses of curcumin needed to give health benefits are very high.