Turmeric has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb. It contains compounds which have medicinal values. These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant. Curcumin also has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralizes free radicals on its own, then stimulates the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. It also helps in boosting levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in the brain. Curcumin also leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer. Many studies show that curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is in some cases more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.