Turmeric (Curcuma Ionga) is an herb that contains curcumin. It is commonly used in Indian foods and curries. It is aromatic and has a bright yellow color. Curcumin is extracted from the turmeric root and used in many products, including herbal treatments for the colon and topical skin creams. The Food and Drug Administration has few regulations on herbs. The purity, safety and dosing of these products vary. Herbs can have side effects and may interact with other drugs and herbal supplements.
Upset Stomach
High doses--2g to 2.5g--of turmeric may cause stomach upset and nausea. Using turmeric over an extended period could also cause nausea and upset stomach. Doses of turmeric ranging from 2g to 2.5g have the corresponding doses of 60mg to 200mg of curcumin, according to the National Institutes of Health. The recommended daily dose for adults is 400mg to 600mg, three times per day of powdered curcumin. For curcumin fluid extract, the daily dose is 30 to 90 drops.
Diarrhea
Using turmeric curcumin may cause diarrhea in some people. Some patients have reported having diarrhea as a side effect of using turmeric curcumin, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Bleeding
Studies on animals by the Department of Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia indicate that turmeric may increase the risk of bleeding. People with hemophilia should consult their physician before using turmeric curcumin.
Gallbladder Contraction
People with gallstones may be affected by using turmeric curcumin. It may cause the gallbladder to contract, sometimes called gallbladder squeezing, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. If you have gallstones, consult with a physician before using turmeric.
Blood Pressure Reduction
In a study by the Department of Physiology at the V.P. Chest Institute of the University of Delhi, India, animals treated with turmeric showed a lowering of blood pressure. Individuals using high blood pressure medications should consult with their physicians before using turmeric curcumin.
Uterine Stimulation
Turmeric curcumin causes uterine stimulation and can stimulate menstrual flow, according to the National Institutes of Health. Pregnant women should not use turmeric herbal supplements. No evidence has been found to indicate that eating turmeric in foods causes abnormal fetal development. Pregnant women should consult with their physician before using turmeric curcumin or any herbal supplement.
Decrease in Blood Sugar
Turmeric may cause a lowering of blood sugar, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Diabetics or people with hypoglycemia should consult their doctor before taking any turmeric supplements. It could cause a significant blood sugar drop when combined with diabetic medications.
Interactions With Other Drugs
Turmeric may have an additive effect on some diabetes and blood pressure medications, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People with either of these conditions should consult with a doctor or health care professional before using a turmeric curcumin supplement. Laboratory studies on animals show turmeric to interfere with how the body processes certain herbs or supplements like garlic, fish oil and niacin. Other herbs may be affected and their potency either increased or decreased. Anyone taking medications or herbal supplements should consult a physician before adding turmeric curcumin to their diet.
Some drugs that have possible interactions with turmeric curcumin are blood-thinners, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix) and aspirin. Antacid drugs that interact with turmeric are cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), ranitidine (Zantac), esomeprazole (Nexium), omerprazole and lansoprazole (Prevacid).
Anyone on blood thinners, blood-pressure medications and antacids should consult with a physician before using turmeric curcumin.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Turmeric and Curcumin
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- Mayo Clinic: Hemophilia: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- National Institutes of Health: Antiatherosclerotic Effects of Dietary Supplementations of Garlic and Turmeric: Restoration of Endothelial Function in Rats
- National Institutes of Health: Herbal Medication: Potential for Adverse Interactions with Analgesic Drugs
Member Comments
eagle88 June 10
"There are some serious curcumin side effects when it is taken by people with certain diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure." You are full of ... show me the studies. You can't, you moron!
"could cause a significant blood sugar drop"