Turmeric and Curcumin Difference
The difference between turmeric and curcumin
Turmeric is a genus of herbs with a plump rhizome. Its color is yellow and bright, and its aroma is specific. It is widely used in dietary seasoning and dyeing, and is also used in medicine to treat diseases.
Curcumin is the key ingredient contained in turmeric, and it is a pigment with a phenolic structure. The difference between the two is quite distinct.
From the perspective of shape and texture, turmeric is a rhizome entity, which is lumpy, yellow in color, and has a unique smell; curcumin is a yellow crystalline powder extracted from turmeric, which is pure and single.
In terms of ingredients, turmeric is complex. In addition to curcumin, it still contains volatile oils, polysaccharides and many other substances; curcumin is simple in composition and has a clear chemical structure.
The efficacy is also different. Turmeric has the ability to break qi and blood stasis, relieve pain through menstruation, and is mostly used for chest and abdomen pain, rheumatism and arthralgia. In addition to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, curcumin has potential in the prevention and auxiliary treatment of some chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, tumors, etc.
The application field is also different. Turmeric is also used in cooking and seasoning, such as curry production, to add color and flavor; in textiles and food dyeing fields, it is also useful. Curcumin is widely used in health care products, cosmetics, and medical research due to its antioxidant properties.
In short, although turmeric and curcumin are related, there are significant differences in shape, composition, efficacy, and application. Only by discerning them can we make the best use of each.