Turmeric is a spice and coloring agent used in curry powder. There has been much interest in using turmeric to treat or prevent a number of different medical conditions, such as
depression,
heartburn, and cancer. There are many other reported uses of turmeric as well, some of which are more valid than others.
It is not known exactly how turmeric works, as there are several compounds in turmeric that may have medicinal properties.
These compounds may have several different effects in the human body, such as:
- Angiogenesis inhibition -- Compounds in turmeric may inhibit the growth of new blood vessels (a process known as angiogenesis). This property may be useful for preventing or treating cancer, but could cause problems in the treatment of heart disease.
- Anti-inflammatory -- Compounds in turmeric seems to inhibit several different inflammatory substances and enzymes. This may potentially be helpful for a number of conditions, such as arthritis or heart disease.
- Blood clotting -- There is some evidence that compounds in turmeric may help prevent blood platelets from sticking together (a process known as platelet aggregation), an important step in the formation of blood clots.
There is also some evidence that turmeric may have antioxidant effects and may also stimulate the immune system.
There is not enough evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of turmeric for most uses. Some uses have more scientific evidence in their favor than others
(see Does Turmeric Work? for more information).
Turmeric Dosing Information
The best turmeric dose has not yet been determined.
Even though it is a "natural" product, turmeric can cause side effects, such as
diarrhea and nausea.
(Click Turmeric Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Drug Interactions With Turmeric
Turmeric is considered safe when used in normal amounts in food. It is not known if medicinal uses of turmeric are equally as safe. Some people are more likely than others to experience problems due to turmeric. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking turmeric if you have:
- A bleeding disorder
- Gallstones or gallbladder disease
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
(Click Is Turmeric Safe? for more information, including any available turmeric warnings and precautions.)
What If I Take a Turmeric Overdose?
It is not known what exactly to expect from an overdose with turmeric, or even if a turmeric overdose is possible. It is reasonable to assume that taking too much turmeric may cause the usual side effects of turmeric, but perhaps more severely.
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