The present invention relates in part to turmeric extracts that are useful for treating or preventing neurodegenerative disorders. Another aspect of the invention relates in part to turmeric extracts that are useful for treating or preventing inflammatory disorders. In some embodiments, the extracts comprise at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 25 to 500 .mu.g bamosamine, 25 to 750 .mu.g echinaxanthol, 100 to 3,000 .mu.g bisdemethoxycurcumin, 50 to 500 .mu.g daphniyunnine E and 500 to 75,000 .mu.g curcumin per 100 mg of extract. Another aspect of the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned extracts. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of treating or preventing neurodegenerative disorders comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of the aforementioned extracts or compositions. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods of making the aforementioned extracts.