Turmeric essential oil boasts a fascinating history, not only as medicine, but as a spice and coloring agent, as well. You have likely heard of the superb healing abilities of turmeric powder. Turmeric itself contains at least 20 molecoles that are antibiotic, 14 of which are anticancer! And indeed, the essential oil also contains excellent health benefits! Health-wise, this essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It's loaded with antioxidants that have the power reduce joint pain, improve liver health and even fight cancer. If you don't use turmeric essential oil, here are eight convincing reasons why you should!
Turmeric Essential Oil Uses
1. Helps Fight Colon Cancer
A 2013 study found that curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric, had the ability to help fight colon cancer. (1) Curcumin is arguably one of the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory compounds. The study suggests that turmeric may work as part of a treatment plan for colon cancer patients. Specifically, the combination of curcumin and turmerone was found to abolish the formation of tumors. Turmerone is another component of turmeric essential oil. Another study published in BioFactors stated that turmerone is a "novel candidate for colon cancer prevention." They also assert that using turmerone in conjunction with curcumin is a viable prevention method for inflammation-associated colon cancer.2. Helps Prevent Neurological Diseases
Turmeric essential oil is also great for prevention of neurological diseases. As mentioned above, turmeric contains a bioactive compounds called turmerone. Studies have shown that turmerone inhibits the activation of microglia, a type of cell that is activated in patients with brain disease. By inhibiting microglia activation, turmeric essential oil can help improve and prevent neurological disease. This includes such diseases, for example, as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury and stroke. (2)![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2718/3098/files/tumeric-2-e1464704749311.jpg)
3. Reduces Joint Pain
Turmeric has been used for centuries to treat arthritis and joint pain, thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it's one of the most powerful essential oils available for the treatment of arthritic pain. It also serves to reduce inflammation and stiffness, both of which are also associated with arthritis. The research backs up this claim, as well. Studies have shown that turmeric essential oil's ability to reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness can help reduce arthritis pain. (3)4. Improves Liver Health
Studies have shown that turmeric naturally protects the liver. This is known as being hepatoprotective. This ability is in part due to tumeric essential oil's anti-inflammatory properties. (4) The antioxidants in turmeric essential oil help improve liver health by detoxifying the liver and flushing out harmful toxins. For example, turmeric has the abliity to rid the body of MTX, which doctors commonly use in cancer treatments. It also happens to clutter up the liver with dangerous toxins. Turmeric, however, can help flush out MTX from the liver. MTX, if you didn't know, is one tough toxin. Indeed, tumermic is mighty powerful to be able to combat such a potent chemical. This evidence also lends itself to turmeric being a prime candidate for prevention of liver disease.![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2718/3098/files/liver-e1463500767396.jpg)
5. May Reduce Leukemia Cells
A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine showed that the turmerone in turmeric essential oil caused selective induction of programmed cell death in human leukemia cells. The research suggests that turmeric may be a promising natural treatment for leukemia. (5) However, the turmeric did not have the same cancer-fighting abilities for stomach cancer. Still, this research suggests turmeric and turmeric essential oil may be excellent aids in the fight against leukemia.6. Helps Combat Breast Cancer
Research from the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry showed that turmeric essential oil has the ability to inhibit enzymatic activity in human breast cancer cells. This breast-cancer fighting ability is present in the aromatic turmerone found in turmeric essential oil. Tumerone can block the invasion, migration, and colony formation of breast cancer cells. By blocking the activity and expression of breast cancer cells, turmeric is able to help combat breast cancer. (6)![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2718/3098/files/breast-cancer-e1461959186825.jpg)