Turmeric

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have ever had:

• diabetes;

• gallbladder problems;

• an iron deficiency

• bleeding problems or a blood-clotting disorder;

• a stomach disorder called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);

• endometriosis or uterine fibroids; or

• cancer of the breast, uterus, ovary (or other hormone-sensitive conditions).

Turmeric when taken in medicinal amounts is considered likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. Taking turmeric during pregnancy could cause uterine bleeding or contractions.

Turmeric is likely to be safe during pregnancy when used in the small amounts that are found in spices or foods.

Ask a doctor before using this product if you are breast-feeding.

Turmeric taken by mouth may lower testosterone levels and sperm motility in men. This could affect fertility (your ability to have children).

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Turmeric can make it harder for your body to absorb iron. Tell your doctor if you are taking an iron supplement.

Avoid using turmeric together with other herbal/health supplements that can also affect blood-clotting. This includes angelica (dong quai), capsicum, clove, dandelion, danshen, evening primrose, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, poplar, red clover, saw palmetto, and willow.

Avoid using turmeric together with other herbal/health supplements that can lower blood sugar, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, damiana, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others.

No contraindications have been determined.

Documented to stimulate menstruation and cause abortion.

None well documented.

Clinical trials report few adverse reactions. Rare cases of contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis have been reported. An increased risk of kidney stones is possible in susceptible individuals.

No reports of toxicity have been reported following ingestion of large amounts of turmeric.

References

1. Turmeric. Review of Natural Products. Facts & Comparisons 4.0. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Health; June 2009.

Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health

None well documented.

Clinical trials report few adverse reactions. Rare cases of contact dermatitis and anaphylaxis have been reported. An increased risk of kidney stone formation is theoretically possible in susceptible individuals.

Turmeric has a warm, bitter taste and is used extensively as a food flavoring and colorant; it is a primary component of curry powders and some mustards. The spice has a long history of traditional use in Asian medicine to treat problems ranging from flatulence to hemorrhage. Use in the treatment of ringworm, as a poultice, an analgesic, and in the management of jaundice and hepatitis has been documented. 2 , 3

The rhizome contains up to 7% of an orange-yellow, volatile oil. Tumerone and artumerone together comprise about 60% of the oil, and zingiberene comprises about 25%. Cineole, d-phellandrene, d-sabinene, and borneol are present in low concentrations. The major yellow pigment has been identified as curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a phenolic antioxidant. Unlike most natural antioxidants that contain either beta-diketone or polyphenolic functional groups, curcumin possesses both active moieties. Its superior antioxidant activity has been attributed to this structural combination. Other curcuminoids structurally related to curcumin also are found in the extract and include demethoxy-curcumin and bis-demothoxy-curcumin. The turmeric rhizome additionally contains protein, fat, minerals, and carbohydrates. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6

LactMed Record Number

930

Last Revision Date

20170411

Disclaimer

Information presented in this database is not meant as a substitute for professional judgment. You should consult your healthcare provider for breastfeeding advice related to your particular situation. The U.S. government does not warrant or assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information on this Site.