Turmeric, the bitter-tasting spice in curry powders and some mustards, has a long history of use as a medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments, ranging from intestinal gas to hemorrhage. Today, it is being investigated as a possible treatment for such conditions as cancer and diabetes. Although turmeric has therapeutic benefits, it may cause side effects and interact with certain medicines and herbs. Consult with your doctor before using turmeric for health reasons.
Preparations and Dosing
Turmeric oral supplements are available in various forms including powder, capsule, fluid extract, tincture, ointment, lotion and tea. The active compounds in turmeric are not soluble in water, so turmeric powdered or extract products are preferable to tea. According to Drugs.com, turmeric may be used in daily doses ranging from 0.5 g up to 8 g. Daily doses above 8 g increase the risk of side effects.
Side Effects
According to the National Institutes of Health or NIH, turmeric is generally safe when taken in usual doses, but you may occasionally develop side effects such as nausea or diarrhea. Turmeric may also cause allergic reactions; cases of contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis have been reported. If you take turmeric in large doses for long periods of time, you may develop stomach upset and possibly ulcers.
Possible Interactions
Because turmeric may slow blood clotting, taking it with other medications that also slow clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or warfarin, may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. Also, herbs such as garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax, ginseng and red clover that slow clotting might similarly interact with turmeric. Turmeric may lower blood sugar levels, and when taken with diabetes medicines may cause your blood sugar levels to be too low.
Considerations
Avoid turmeric if you have gallbladder problems, such as gall stones or a bile duct obstruction, because it can worsen these conditions. Also, turmeric may cause extra bleeding during and after surgery, so avoid turmeric at least two weeks before your scheduled surgery. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, high doses of turmeric caused liver problems in animals; however, there are no reports in humans. Avoid turmeric if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
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