Scientific research indicated that the compound found in turmeric, offers hope for new treatments in the fight against cancer.
The researchers said that turmeric's richness in anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants plays an important role in stopping the development of tumors.
The researchers analyzed nearly 5,000 studies and found that it hinders the growth of eight types of cancer, under laboratory conditions.
The results showed that it is effective in treating breast, lung, blood, stomach, pancreas, intestinal, bone marrow and prostate cancer.
Academics from Temple University in Philadelphia say turmeric prevents the transfer of nutrients to tumors, as well as the death of healthy cells by preventing cancer cells from releasing harmful proteins.
Academics have concluded that curcumin, the pigment that gives turmeric its color, can be "an effective drug for cancer treatment, alone or in combination with other factors."
But despite its widespread use in oriental medicine, curcumin is not currently an option, because it has not been tested in large-scale human trials, which is a necessary condition for all medications.
Temple University scientists hope their discovery will spur further clinical studies of the effect of curcumin on cancer.