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Turmeric is a natural spice, that is a source of the anti-inflammatory curcumin. It is a common dietary component in India and is now widely used medicinally.
Clinical toxicology studies show that turmeric side effects are rare, even at high dosage levels.
The most common side effects of turmeric in humans are gastrointestinal: constipation, nausea, heartburn and/or diarrhea. These adverse effects have only occurred in human subjects with high doses of 6 grams daily and up.
With high doses over long durations, mild hepatotoxicity (liver poisoning) has been shown to occur in animals tests, but it has not been present in human trials.
Minor and temporary turmeric side effects including weight loss, itching, vertigo and/or jitteriness may also occur in sensitive individuals.
Joints
Heart Health
Anti- Aging- Contains anti-inflammatory curcuminoids
- Promotes brain & cardiovascular health
- Supports the immune system & anti-oxidant enzymes
Top Turmeric Products* ❯Why Use Turmeric Supplements?
Related Topics
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- What is Curcumin?
- Turmeric vs. Curcumin
- Turmerones
- Turmeric Uses
- Effects and Benefits
- Recommended Dosages
- Taking Turmeric Daily
- How to Use Turmeric
- Is Turmeric Safe
- Turmeric for Arthritis
- Turmeric for Inflammation
- Turmeric for Diabetes
- Turmeric for Skin
- Possible Side Effects
- Best Turmeric Supplements
Turmeric is botanically known as Curcuma longa; an herbaceous plant from southwestern Asia.
It has been used as food and medicine for thousands of years. Traditionally, Chinese and Siddha Indian doctors used turmeric as treatment for depression, skin disorders, infections and chronic stress.
Today, people use turmeric and curcumin supplements to combat systemic inflammation, improve blood sugar regulation and promote longevity.
This herbal extract has been researched for its effects on a variety of ailments and diseases. Some of the medical and elective uses for turmeric include:
- Healing the brain and protecting neurons to enhance brain functioning, decrease response times, improve memory and enhance learning;
- Anti-cancer effects, including breast, lung, prostate, liver, skin and colon cancer;
- Alzheimer’s disease, depression and various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia;
- Lowering blood-glucose levels, improving insulin insensitivity and decreasing pancreatic workload;
- Helping to treat redness, blemishes, acne, psoriasis and other dermatological disorders;
- Lowering fatty acid accumulations in blood vessels which can lead to atherosclerosis;
- Liver disease, hepatic carcinomas, hepatitis and jaundice;
- Reducing inflammation and associated pain throughout the body;
While turmeric supplements have been researched for their benefits for a wide range of health conditions, it has not been approved by the FDA as a drug for the treatment of any specific diseases.
Some of its uses have been clinically validated, but others need more evidence to rate efficacy. Ask your doctor if turmeric may be helpful for a particular condition you may be dealing with.
Turmeric Side Effects
If you decide to start taking turmeric for a specific health goal, you should check with a doctor to determine whether this supplement is safe and appropriate for you.
Turmeric side effects are rare in the majority of those who properly use it as a dietary supplement. When side effects do present, they are likely to be both mild and temporary.
More than 6000 research trials have been completed assessing the benefits and side effects of turmeric and curcumin. General safety is well established.
However, there are rare cases where serious side effects have been reported as a result of turmeric or curcumin administration.
These have been due to the individual having a contradictory pre-existing medical condition, or because of adverse reactions with other medicines or supplements the patient may have been taking.
Adverse Cardiovascular Effects
Turmeric demonstrates anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects and may cause certain cardiovascular side effects, particularly if combined with some medications.
Animal evidence suggests increased risks for bleeding. In feline and canine subjects, intravenous injections of sodium curcuminate induced transient hypotension (temporary low blood pressure).
Bradycardia (abnormally slow pulse) was also observed.
Increased blood delivery volume was reported in a trial involving a particular turmeric extract supplement: C3 Complex®.
Turmeric Effects on Skin
Repeated occupational topical exposure to turmeric has caused dermatological issues, but these side effects generally do not present with short-term usage on skin.
Adverse events reported include erythema (patchy redness), induration (hardening of skin), papules (no-pus pimples), contact dermatitis (red/swollen/sore skin), pruritus (severe itching), vesicles (fluid-filled pimples) and contact urticaria (red, itchy welts).
One 41-year old woman experienced skin depigmentation, and one 26-year old women experienced hyperpigmentation apparently due to turmeric usage.
High doses of turmeric in rats have caused alopecia (hair loss).
Turmeric Gastrointestinal Side Effects
High doses of oral turmeric products have been associated with gastrointestinal side effects, like stomach discomfort.
These include flatulence, yellow stool, chronic gastritis, abdominal pains, aggravation of peptic ulcers, epigastric burning, dyspepsia and loose stools.
Negative turmeric side effects may also include alteration of hepatobiliary, genitourinary, hematological, endocrine, immunological, psychiatric, renal and/or musculoskeletal functioning.
Turmeric Safety Ratings
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database states that turmeric is likely safe for proper oral and/or topical use. Turmeric has been used without causing any adverse effects for as long as 8 months in doses up to 2.2 grams daily.
4 grams of turmeric taken daily over 30 days have caused no ill effects. Single 12-gram turmeric doses have also been used without side effects.
Water-based turmeric enemas have been taken daily for up to 8 weeks without adverse effects. Use in pregnant and nursing women is likely safe in amounts commonly gained from diets.
In medical amounts, turmeric may increase blood flow to the uterus and may not be safe for pregnant women.
Not enough data exists to determine the safety of turmeric in medicinal amounts in nursing women.
Conclusions
Turmeric side effects are very rare in most healthy individuals when this supplement is used appropriately.
When adverse side effects do occur due to turmeric and/or curcumin administration, in most cases there has either been an unknown pre-existing health condition, or prescription medication interaction to blame.
If you have a pre-existing health condition or disease, or are taking prescription medications, then talk with your doctor about possible turmeric side effects as they may apply to you.
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Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment
5 Comments
I have had diarrhea and unexplained itching since taking Tumeric. I have no rash. This is the only thing I can think would be causing it.
Eu tive diarreia fiquei c fraqueza e tonturas .
Hi Ilza,
Thanks for sharing your side effect report. It would be great to know which brand of product you used and any info on dosages or what form of the supplement you took!
ESTOY VIENDO QUE LA CÚRCUMA ESTÁ CONTRAINDICADA PARA DIABÉTICOS, SSOBRE TODO SI ESTAMOS TOMANDO ANTICOAGULANTES (ADIRO 100) O PROTECTORES ESTOMACALES (OMEPRAZOL). ¿ME LO PUEDEN CONFIRMAR?
ESTOY TOMANDO “TURMERIC PLUS”, UNA CÁPSULA DIARIA (600 mg Turmeric, 50 mg Ginger y 10 mg BlackPepper). LLEVO TOMÁNDOLAS SÓLO DURANTE TRES DÍAS Y HE DECIDIDO DEJAR DE TOMARLAS POR LAS INCOMPATIBILIDADES QUE PUEDE HABR CON ADIRO 100 Y OMEPRAZOL, HASTA CONSULTAR CON MI MÉDICO DE CABECERA. MUCHAS GRACIAS!!