Ginger curcuma extract has been used as an anti-cancer therapy, with uncertain results.

I’d never heard of elemene before I ran across this paper from researchers at two Chinese Universities, Hangzhou Normal University and Yichun University of Jiangxi Province.  The paper claims “elemene is a mixture of sesquiterpene compounds extracted from ginger plants curcuma, with outstanding advantages of a broad anti-tumor spectrum, curative effect, and less adverse reaction.” Turns out the clinical evidence supporting the latter half of that statement is not very well established, but that’s beside the point right now.  This paper describes a method for making a microemulsion and improving the bioavailability of elemene. Sonication of the emulsion in an ultrasonic cleaner did improve the bioavailability, for what it’s worth.

For further information visit www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

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