Turmeric is a common spice that  comes from the root of Curcuma longa. It contains a chemical called  curcumin, which might reduce swelling.

Turmeric has a warm, bitter taste  and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards,  butters, and cheeses. Because curcumin and other chemicals in turmeric  might decrease swelling, it is often used to treat conditions that  involve pain and inflammation.

People commonly use turmeric for  depression, hay fever, and osteoarthritis. It is also used for asthma,  diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific  evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence  to support using turmeric for COVID-19.

Don't confuse turmeric with  Javanese turmeric root or tree turmeric. Also, don't confuse it with  zedoary or goldenseal, which are unrelated plants that are sometimes  called turmeric. 

The Effectiveness ratings for Turmeric are as follows:

Possibly Effective 

• Hay fever.                                                        Taking turmeric  by mouth seems to reduce hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, itching,  runny nose, and congestion.                                                     
• Indigestion (dyspepsia).                                                        Taking turmeric  may improve indigestion in some patients. Taking curcumin, a chemical  found in turmeric, by mouth may work as well as another drug, called  omeprazole.                                                     
• Depression.                                                        Most research  shows that taking curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth  reduces depression symptoms in people already using an antidepressant.                                                     
• High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia).                                                        Taking turmeric  by mouth seems to lower levels of blood fats called triglycerides. But  the effects of turmeric on cholesterol levels are conflicting. Also,  there are many different turmeric products available. It is not known  which ones work best.                                                     
• Build  up of fat in the liver in people who have a group of symptoms that  increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke (metabolic  dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease or MASLD).                                                        Taking turmeric  extract by mouth reduces markers of liver injury in people who have this  condition. It also seems to help prevent the build-up of more fat in  the liver.                                                     
• Swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis).                                                        Taking curcumin,  a chemical found in turmeric, by mouth, or as a lozenge or mouthwash,  seems to prevent swelling and sores in the mouth during radiation  treatment for cancer.                                                     
• Osteoarthritis.                                                        Taking turmeric  extracts, alone or together with other herbal ingredients, can reduce  pain and improve function in people with knee osteoarthritis. Turmeric  might work about as well as ibuprofen for reducing pain. But it doesn't  seem to work as well as another drug, called diclofenac.                                                     
• Itching.                                                        Taking turmeric  by mouth might reduce itching that is caused by various conditions.                                                     

Possibly Ineffective 

• Alzheimer disease.                                                        Taking turmeric,  or a chemical in turmeric called curcumin, by mouth does not seem to  improve symptoms of Alzheimer disease.                                                     
• Stomach ulcers.                                                        Taking turmeric by mouth does not seem to improve stomach ulcers.                                                     

There is interest in  using turmeric for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough  reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

When taken by mouth:  Turmeric is likely safe when used short-term. Turmeric products that  provide up to 8 grams of curcumin daily seem to be safe when used for up  to 2 months, Also, taking up to 3 grams of turmeric daily seems to be  safe when used for up to 3 months. Turmeric usually doesn't cause  serious side effects. Some people can experience mild side effects such  as stomach upset, nausea, dizziness, or diarrhea. These side effects are  more common at higher doses.

When applied to the skin: Turmeric is likely safe. It is possibly safe when turmeric is applied inside the mouth as a mouthwash.

When applied into the rectum: Turmeric is possibly safe when used as an enema.

Pregnancy:  Turmeric is commonly used in small amounts as a spice in foods. But  it's likely unsafe to use larger amounts of turmeric as a medicine  during pregnancy. It might cause a menstrual period or stimulate the  uterus, putting the pregnancy at risk. Do not take medicinal amounts of  turmeric if you are pregnant.

Breast-feeding:  Turmeric is commonly used in small amounts as a spice in foods. But  there isn't enough reliable information to know if turmeric is safe to  use in medicinal amounts during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side  and avoid use.

Bleeding problems:  Taking turmeric might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk  of bruising and bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Gallbladder problems: Turmeric can make gallbladder problems worse. Do not use turmeric if you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids:  Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which might act like the  hormone estrogen. In theory, this might have effects on  hormone-sensitive conditions. Until more is known, use cautiously if you  have a condition that might be made worse by exposure to hormones.

Infertility:  Turmeric might lower testosterone levels and decrease sperm movement.  This might reduce fertility. Turmeric should be used cautiously by  people trying to have a baby.

Liver disease:  There is some concern that turmeric can damage the liver, especially in  people who have swelling (inflammation) of the liver (hepatitis) or  reduced or blocked flow of bile from the liver (cholestasis). Don't use  turmeric if you have these liver problems.

Surgery:  Turmeric might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding  during and after surgery. Stop using turmeric at least 2 weeks before a  scheduled surgery.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might increase how much amlodipine the body absorbs. Taking turmeric  while taking amlodipine might increase the effects and side effects of  amlodipine.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Turmeric  might increase how much docetaxel the body absorbs. Taking turmeric  while taking docetaxel might increase the effects and side effects of  docetaxel.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Large  amounts of turmeric might interfere with the effects of estrogen. Taking  turmeric along with estrogen might decrease the effects of estrogens.

Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, and others.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Turmeric  contains curcumin. Curcumin might lower blood sugar. Glyburide is also  used to lower blood sugar. Taking curcumin or turmeric along with  glyburide might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood  sugar closely. Your dose of glyburide might need to be changed.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Taking turmeric while taking losartan might increase the effects and side effects of losartan.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Turmeric might  change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could  change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Turmeric might  change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could  change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Some  medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Turmeric might  change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could  change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might  decrease the effects of some medications used for cancer. If you are  taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider  before taking turmeric.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might  decrease the effects of medications used for cancer. If you are taking  medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider before  taking turmeric.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might  decrease the effectiveness of some medications used for cancers. If you  are taking medications for cancer, check with your healthcare provider  before taking turmeric.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might lower blood sugar levels. Taking turmeric along with diabetes  medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood  sugar closely.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Some  medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Turmeric might  change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the  body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a  medication.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Some  medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Turmeric might  change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the  body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a  medication.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might harm the liver. Some medications can also harm the liver. Taking  turmeric along with a medication that can harm the liver might increase  the risk of liver damage.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might slow blood clotting. Taking turmeric along with medications that  also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and  bleeding.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might harm the liver. Methotrexate can also harm the liver. Taking  turmeric along with methotrexate might increase the risk of liver  damage.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Turmeric  might increase how much norfloxacin the body absorbs. Taking turmeric  while taking norfloxacin might increase the effects and side effects of  norfloxacin.

  Interaction Rating Minor Be watchful with this combination.   

Turmeric  might change how much paclitaxel stays in the body. Taking turmeric  while taking paclitaxel might change the effects and side effects of  paclitaxel. However, this doesn't seem to be a big concern.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might increase how much sulfasalazine the body absorbs. Taking turmeric  while taking sulfasalazine might increase the effects and side effects  of sulfasalazine.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might increase the amount of tacrolimus in the body. This can increase  the side effects of tacrolimus and even damage the kidneys.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might decrease how much talinolol the body absorbs. Taking turmeric  while taking talinolol might decrease the effects of talinolol.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might decrease how much tamoxifen is in the body. Taking turmeric with  tamoxifen might decrease the effects of tamoxifen.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Turmeric  might decrease or increase how much tramadol is in the body. Taking  turmeric with tramadol might increase or decrease the effects of  tramadol.

  Interaction Rating Moderate Be cautious with this combination.   

Warfarin  is used to slow blood clotting. Taking turmeric while taking warfarin  might increase the effects of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding  and bruising.

Turmeric  might harm the liver. Taking it with other supplements that can also  harm the liver might increase the risk of liver damage. Examples of  supplements with this effect include garcinia, greater celandine, green  tea extract, kava, and kratom.

Turmeric  might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar  effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with  this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and  prickly pear cactus.

Turmeric  might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it  with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of  bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect  include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.

There is  some concern that turmeric and curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric,  might prevent the body from absorbing iron. But most research shows that  this isn't a major concern with turmeric from food or supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods.

Turmeric has most often been  used by adults in doses of up to 1.5 grams daily for up to 9 months. It  is also sometimes used in mouthwashes, gels, creams, and tonics. Speak  with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a  specific condition.

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Literature Review Current Through: 2/13/2026, Last Updated: 5/21/2026

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