Turmeric - The Serendipitous Herb : A Review

Phytotherapy, the use of herbal agents as medicines has become the focus of research in the recent years. This increased interest in the discovery of natural compounds is due to the various adverse effects of allopathic drugs and emergence of resistant strains of common pathogens. Turmeric or curcumin is one of the oldest spices that has been a vital part of Ayurvedic medicine, and has proven properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, antiseptic and antimutagenic properties making it a very viable and economical substitute. The objective of this article is to provide a brief overview of the plethora of research regarding the health benefits of curcumin and its uses in dentistry