Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric is a long-time-known spice in India, its roots are used in Indian dishes, like a colorant, and for therapeutical purposes, according to Ayurvedic medicine.
It is also called Curcuma Longa or "Indian Saffron" because of the color.
It's a perennial plant of the Zingiberaceae family.

Most of the properties of Turmeric depend on the Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound, that comprises 0.3 – 5.4 percent of raw Turmeric.
Polyphenols are usually colored compounds with mainly antioxidant effects.
Thanks to this molecule Turmeric looks yellow but adds a lot of other properties to this natural drug.
In the last years a lot of scientific studies investigated on Curcumin and they found out many possible applications:

1 Antioxidant. It means that can slow down premature aging, radical processes and prevent cancer.

2 Antinflammatory. acting on different ways of the inflammation process. It can be useful after a surgery, to treat atherosclerosis, back pain, bowel diseases, bursitis, arthritis and more.

3 Stomach Protective. Protects against the Helicobacter Pylori, one of the causes of stomach ulcer and cancer.

4 Digestive. With a cholagogue action improves digestion and toxins elimination.

5 Purification of heavy metal. Can bind and help the elimination of some toxic metals for the human organism.

6 Brain protective. Connected to the purification of heavy metals.

7 Hepatoprotective. Done by the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect.

8 Anticarcinogenic Effect. Curcumin inhibits angiogenesis, cell growth and promotion of tumors.

9 Antimicrobial. Turmeric inhibits the growth of many bacterias, parasites and pathogenic fungus.

10 Cardiovascular effects. Lowering triglycerides, cholesterol and inhibiting platelet aggregation.

11 Immunostimulant. It also helps fighting cancer and microbes.

Did you already know about any of these beneficial properties of Turmeric?
Have you already used such a spice or natural supplement?