Now research presented at a stroke conference in California shows a modified version of this spice may help stroke victims.
Doctors at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center say animal studies suggest that turmeric could encourage new brain cells to grow and percent cell death after a stroke.
Laboratory tests on animals suggested the drugs might be effective up to three hours after a stroke in humans.
Tests in people are now being planned but any new treatment could still be some time away.
