Turmeric: Information, Uses, Side Effects, Warnings & Dosage
The bottom line
Turmeric is a spice from the ginger family. It is promoted for many conditions, but we don't know enough to say whether turmeric or curcumin helps with any health problem. Regular turmeric taken by mouth is likely safe in recommended amounts for up to 2 or 3 months. Turmeric supplements may be unsafe during pregnancy.
This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your own situation.
Key takeaways
- Liver damage has been reported in some people who took curcumin products made to be absorbed better by the body.
- If you notice fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, dark urine or jaundice, stop turmeric products right away and talk with your health care provider.
- Turmeric taken by mouth can cause nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation. On the skin, curcumin can cause hives or itching.
- If you take any medicine, talk with your health care provider before using turmeric. Some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways.
This article is published as part of Nutri Inspector’s scholarship application by Devon Woodfine who studies Mechanical Engineering at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Turmeric is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, or Ginger family, and like Ginger it too is a tropical plant. Turmeric origins can be traced to Asia and is even believed to have first harvested from the roots of Curcuma longa plant been in Southern India. To create turmeric, the roots of the Curcuma Longa plant, known as rhizomes, are boiled, dried and then ground into a powder. Eastern cultures have been incorporating turmeric into their diets and taking advantage of its medicinal properties for centuries.
The Turmeric plant is a staple spice used prominently in Asian cuisine. The Turmeric spice is the main spice found in curry and is frequently used to used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. However, the Turmeric plant is more famous for the variety of medical benefits it provides.. To create turmeric, the roots of the Curcuma Longa plant, known as rhizomes, are boiled, dried and then ground into a powder. Eastern cultures have been incorporating turmeric into their diets and taking advantage of its medicinal properties for centuries.
Turmeric has been used in traditional medicine or promoted for conditions such as arthritis, heartburn, joint pain, stomach pain, eczema, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, but we don’t know enough to say if turmeric or curcumin is beneficial for any health purposes. Its health effects are commonly attributed to curcumin, a major component of turmeric. Curcumin is known for decreasing inflammation and being a powerful antioxidant. The Curcumin found in Turmeric neutralize free radicals by hunting down and stabilizing them. If a chain reaction has occurred, Curcumin has the ability to cease the function or it can completely prevent it from ever getting started in the first place. Since oxidation is a natural process, there’s nothing that can be done to stop it. IIt is actually necessary to have oxidation to sustain your life. However, by taking Curcumin in moderation, you can slow down its degenerative side effect. Our bodies produce prostaglandins, which are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds having diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Prostaglandins have been found in almost every tissue in humans and other animals. The body uses enzymes called cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2, known respectively as COX-1 and COX-2, to make prostaglandins. While COX-1 is important in our bodies and necessary for proper blood clotting, COX-2 is only associated with inflammation. Aspirin blocks the COX-1 enzyme, which keeps blood platelets from clumping together.
It can be made into a paste and applied to the skin, but topical curcumin can cause hives or itching. The number of health benefits linked to turmeric is truly extraordinary. Turmeric or curcumin taken by mouth (not modified to enhance bioavailability) is likely safe in the recommended amounts for up to 2 or 3 months, but liver damage has been reported in some people who took curcumin products with increased bioavailability. Turmeric usually does not cause significant side effects; however, some people can experience stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. In one report, a person who took very high amounts of turmeric, over 1500 mg twice daily, experienced a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm. However, it is unclear if Turmeric was the actual cause of this side effect. Until more is known, avoid taking excessively large doses of turmeric.and taking moderate doses with your physician’s approval. The use of turmeric supplements during pregnancy may be unsafe: During pregnancy and while breastfeeding, turmeric is consumible when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in food. However, turmeric is not safe when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. It might promote a menstrual period or stimulate the uterus, putting the pregnancy at risk. Do not take medicinal amounts of turmeric if you are pregnant. There is not enough information to rate the safety of medicinal amounts of turmeric during breast-feeding. It is best not to use it.
While Turmeric offers several positive health benefits, it can also make previous ailments worse. Gallbladder problems: Turmeric can make gallbladder problems worse. Do not use turmeric if you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction. Bleeding problems: Taking turmeric might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders. Diabetes: Curcumin, a chemical in turmeric, might decrease blood sugar in people with diabetes. Use with caution in people with diabetes as it might make blood sugar too low. A stomach disorder called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Turmeric can cause stomach upset in some people. It might make stomach problems such as GERD worse. Do not take turmeric if it worsens symptoms of GERD. Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which might act like the hormone estrogen. In theory, turmeric might make hormone-sensitive conditions worse. However, some research shows that turmeric reduces the effects of estrogen in some hormone-sensitive cancer cells. Therefore, turmeric might have beneficial effects on hormone-sensitive conditions. Until more is known, use cautiously if you have a condition that might be made worse by exposure to hormones. Infertility: Turmeric might lower testosterone levels and decrease sperm movement when taken by mouth by men. This might reduce fertility. Turmeric should be used cautiously by people trying to have a baby. Iron deficiency: Taking high amounts of turmeric might prevent the absorption of iron. Turmeric should be used with caution in people with iron deficiency. Surgery: Turmeric might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Check with your health care provider about the supplements you take if you are going to have any type of surgery. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
