Turmeric & Curcumin Guide 2026: Benefits, Dosage & Safety

Broad Benefits

Posted by Holly (Toronto, Canada) on 03/09/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

In response to a post from 2012:

Posted by Emma (Europe) on 11/08/2012
Does anybody know how much is safe to take of tumeric for inflammation. I see you can get 400mg tablets/capsules. Also would it be safe to take with medication.Thanks

I've use Turmeric powder for years with huge success for numerous health reasons.

I use it for inflammation, pain, to detox my liver, eye ( macular degeneration ), cancer prevention ( had 2 previous cancers ), neuroprotective agent, H. PYLORI, anti-oxidant properties, anti-bacterial properties, indigestion, sleep deprivation, colds and flu cure and prevention.... just to name a few.

As for the dosage.....well in my opinion that depends on a person's blood pressure levels.

Typically my daily dosage needed is only 1/4 tsp along with 1/8 tsp of black pepper ( black pepper increases the bio availability ) as turmeric is not easily absorbed into the body without it and you would need a ton for it to actualy be effective in any way otherwise.

However, if I caught a cold or flu then I would take the dosage two times per day, once in am then once in pm ( basically 12 hours apart ) along with a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt ( will explain salt in a bit ).

The best way for me to take it has been in a bit of warm low fat lactose free milk, but I also love it in mashed potatoes, soups especially cream of mushroom along with 2 cloves of garlic ( always waiting 15 mins after crushing the garlic to release the allicin which is the actual healing good stuff ) .

I won't take capsule form due to the fact that it's less expensive in powder form, I like to put it in lactose free milk or soup or mashed potatoes, capsule form doesn't include the much needed pepper for bio availability either.

When I first started taking turmeric, about 10 years ago...I started with 1 tsp. ( some times more ) and for me I had no beneficial results and instead felt lightheaded and generally unwell but kept taking it thinking it needed more time to work. I was wrong, turns out that less is more and not only that but it turns out that it was considerably bringing down my already low blood pressure which is why I had been having all the lightheadness and general unwell feeling because for me it was bringing my blood pressure to dangerously low levels.

Now the reason I add a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt to each dosage is if I catch a cold, flu or my body is in some type of viral crisis and I need to take 2 daily dosages so then to ensure my blood pressure doesn't bottom out I add the salt.

I found all this out the hard way, so if you are one of the rare ones like me with low blood pressure then I wouldn't suggest exceeding the daily dosage of 1/4 tsp along with 1/8 tsp of black pepper.

If however, I do get high blood pressure in the future then I will at least now know to increase the dosage in order to bring it back down but otherwise I will keep it at the same effective and safe daily dosage for me.

As for the drug interactions question, this is what I have found: Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with TURMERIC
Turmeric might slow blood clotting. Taking turmeric along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

I personally would also be concerned with any blood pressure lowering drugs and/or supplements, herbs that lower blood pressure when taking turmeric in too large of dosage.

Hope this helps to answer your questions.

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Posted by Martin (Limerick, Ireland) on 11/06/2015
★★★★★

I am taking one teaspoon of turmeric with one spoon of ginger, quarter spoon of black pepper with one spoon of olive oil 2 times a day for Osteoarthritis. Is this too much to take, doing this for 2 months and it helps.

Allergies

Posted by Mary Jane (Los Angeles) on 05/08/2014
★★★★★

I have been taking turmeric in water (not the capsules you buy at the health food store, just the simple spice) since February to see if it would help me with allergies. I'd say it took 2 months of taking turmeric in water with some olive oil and twist of black pepper to see results. But my allergies, which always turn into sinus infections this time of the year, are minimal. My skin is clear of blemishes too. Nice side effect!

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Posted by April (Usk, WA, USA) on 02/26/2022

Hi, Melanie! There's widespread advice to source the best turmeric powder you can; organic, reputable company/distributor, etc. That being said, I've read a lot of positive feedback from people using the turmeric available at their local grocery. I took a chance and bought a one pound bag of organic powdered turmeric from Amazon and have been happy with the results. I make a Golden paste with turmeric, water, fresh ginger (or powdered - both work! ) maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg (only freshly grated as the flavor is superior), coconut oil, and a pinch of salt. Sometimes I add cayenne or cumin. It really depends on what I have on hand. This gets made into a hot drink. Since I've given up coffee and black tea, I've developed a deeper appreciation for more beneficial drinks and this is at the top of my list. Keep on the quest for better health!

How to Take Turmeric

Posted by Directorabcri (B.g. Nagara, Karrnataka India) on 06/25/2009
★★★★★

You can take turmeric powder Quarter spoon in water on an empty stomach for good absorbtion. it will definitely prevent cancer, cataract, artheritis. malaria any inflanmmation & even snake bite lethality I as a scientist working on turmeric for last25 years can vouch for its excellent biological properties good luck
leela

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Posted by Bridget (Dallas) on 05/24/2013
★★★★★

As I get older I notice more joint pain, creaky joints, and I also have arthritis (which I discovered one day stepping on teh cold tile, my foot seized up! Just like used to happen to my moms hands). I found earthclinic that day, and it saved me! I LOVE this site, and the natural, holistic remedies. Thank YOU so much! This is now my favorite go to place!

I discovered turmeric, which is wonderful for aching joints, aches, pains, and arthritis too. I was making my own paste, but did not always have time for that, then I learned that Piperine (active ingredient in black pepper) increases the absorption of the turmeric...

This stuff really works! If I miss a few days, I feel the pain come back.. When I take it, the pain goes away!

Inflammation

Posted by Guilhermo (Curitiba, Parana) on 10/19/2012
★★★★★

I had 10 years of disconfort (inflamation like feeling on my testicle (left side)) and discomfort on all body... Due a bad treated STD... Maybe was all the antibiotic I take it for it... and I had a candida infection I dont know! I also had low libido and low energy....

On the last doctor he said he couldnt do nothing and it was all psycological. So at my last try, I started to take Chanca Piedra TEA with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric...

3 Days later I was almost like new! Chanca piedra helped, I did some experiences with other teas, always with turmeric... And worked too.... So turmeric did the trick... but is best with chanca piedra...

Im on the 10 days... I wont stop... Until I feel im 100%. 95% , wich is realy good. With energy, body relax. Sleeping much better, and happier. (turmeric is used for depression too). Is the most incredible thing I ever used...

Sorry for my English! Good luck for all

How to Take Turmeric

Posted by Janet (Poynette, Wi, Usa) on 07/21/2010
★★★★★

I have been suffering with pain in my right hip for a few years. It started out being on and off and gradually got be constant. It hurt to get up from a chair, going up and down stairs and just walking. I was developing a limp. Funny though, it actually bothered me less if I was extremely active. I found that turmeric and ginger work like magic. Every morning I have a hot cup of organic green tea to which I add 1 tsp. Virgin coconut oil, 2 tsp. Honey, 1/2 tsp. Turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp. Powdered ginger, a dash of black pepper and about 1/8 tsp. Of cayenne pepper. I read on EARTH CLINIC that those peppers help the efficacy of the spices. It's amazing, I have no pain in my hip. By the way, my daughter cured herself of classic fibromyalgia symptoms by following advice from EARTH CLINIC. This website is invaluable.

Chronic Polypoid Cystitis

Posted by Sandy (Cape May, New Jersey) on 08/19/2008
★★★★★

In January I was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, in May with chronic polypoid cystitis of the bladder. I had general discomfort throughout my abdomen, flank and pelvic area- not sure what condition was causing what pain. Also had what I believe was arthritic pain in my hip. Only remedy for polypoid cystitis that doctor recommended was painkillers- I declined- or ibuprofen, which I did not want to take on a regular basis. Did some reserch on natural anti-inflammatories, and found lots of info on turmeric. I just went to my local drug store, and bought turmeric capsules, I think they are 500 mg. I started taking 2 pills 2x a day, for a couple of days, then decreased to 2 pills 1x a day, and after just a week or so I stopped taking them altogether. Amazing, but all of my aches and pains disappearred! No bladder pain- no flank pain- no hip pain! If I feel a twinge of anything, I take 2 turmeric, and that does the trick. I am hooked!

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Posted by Kelly (San Francisco, CA) on 04/14/2009

I study Ayurvedic Medicine and find it very interesting that there are comments about people noticing that they are sweating alot... This makes total sense as inflammatory responses are liver related and a pitta or fire symptom/response in the body. The tumeric must be reducing the inflammation but the fire has to move somewhere, and so the skin is taking over (probably to help relieve the liver's load as the skin and liver work together and are both channels for the body to detoxify). The fire is moving out the skin in the form of sweat! So I would say, yes it would seem normal to me in a body with excess heat.

Allergies

Posted by Lorelei (Utah) on 01/11/2007
★★★★★

I'm so glad I read about turmeric for allergies. It seems too simple, but after trying and failing with ACV and honey, the turmeric worked miracles! Every time I stop taking it, the allergies come back. I'm allergic to our 2 dogs and cat, dust, and practically every plant out there. I was popping pills and snorting drugs daily, so the fact that this works is amazing. Two months pill free -- we'll see when spring hits! At first I was putting it in my drinks and whatever food I could, but now I fill gel capsules with turmeric, and take 2 to 5 a day (up to a tsp worth), depending on how sneezy I am. If I do it regularly, I can get away with only 1 or 2 capsules a day. You can also buy capsules, but they seemed pretty expensive (as long as you don't mind staining your fingers yellow to make your own). Sometimes I take a little extra Vit C too, depending on how I am feeling, but it doesn't seem to matter too much for me. As a side note, if your eyes get itchy, put a wet chamomile tea bag on them. That seems to help too.

Homemade Turmeric Extract

Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 11/16/2017

I completed the turmeric extract I had been making, and would like to add some observations I have learned. Turmeric is the only supplement I have seen in fifteen years that has been shown to stop Lichen Planus, and I was pretty excited to try this. I learned that with oral LP, anything extracted with 40% vodka is not going to sit well with the mouth, even diluted! Secondly, after I evaporated the vodka off by heating it, the 1-1 1/2 T. of whole peppercorns I added for better absorption by the body still will only burn the mouth. It was very hot, and I think much less should have been used. The extract looked good and all things considered, it was a good experience to try this. My doctor told me today, after I commented on the post about turmeric and macular degeneration, that she feels I should not use it anymore, so I will have to think about this.

Art, I have purchased a few of the supplements you have described in your protocol, thinking perhaps the same pathways that cause psoriasis may be a part of LP. I think T-cells may be involved in both. Life is a journey, isn't it?

Thank you to MTM for all her advice and encouragement to us all to try to make our own remedies. I am always amazed at how she can find a way to mitigate so many different challenges that arise, and I always learn something from her posts.

And thank you, Art, for proving that tenacity is a worthwhile endeavor. Your research skills are among the best! I am so happy you have found and shared what you have learned with us, and found a cure for psoriasis! You logically figured out what doctoral researchers failed to do, and no doubt have helped many who had lost faith that they would ever be well!

Thank you, Earth Clinic, for giving us this forum to post what we learn. Best wishes for good health to everyone here.

Homemade Turmeric Extract

Posted by Art (California ) on 11/17/2017 2868 posts

Hi Rsw,

Thank you for the very thoughtful comments!! My main regret is that I was not able to find this combination sooner, but better late than never!

I hope the supplements you chose are helpful for you. I had tried the EGCG and PBE individually before, but not together and not at a high enough dose to be effective. The NOW PBE makes it simple and easy to take both. Back when I first tried them, I still thought that the dose on the label was the most effective dose.......well that was a very long time ago!

If you ever use the turmeric or curcumin for anything topically, it will definitely stain almost everything! As an alternative for topical use, you can use the curcumin derivative tetrahydrocurcuminoids which has similar effects to curcumin, but does not stain. Here is one example:

https://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-superior-herbs-advanced-tetrahydrocurcuminoids-95-200-mg-60-veg-caps

I tried it in a topical solution and it did not stain. It is a white powder instead of the deep yellow/gold of curcumin. When I was experimenting with curcumin it seemed like you just had to get close to the curcumin and it would stain you or your clothes. I am now allergic to curcumin and had hoped that I would not be allergic to tetrahydrocurcuminoids, but I reacted to it just as I do to curcumin.

The research for turmeric/curcumin is very impressive, so I am very disappointed not to be able to use it as part of my health chest, but for others who can, it can be very helpful for health!

Art

Homemade Turmeric Extract

Posted by Mama To Many (Tn) on 11/19/2017

Dear Rsw,

Thank you for reporting back! Even if this didn't end up being the solution you had hoped for, you have learned something, which is valuable for you and us!

Thank you also for your encouraging words! I appreciate your patient encouragement of others here at EC - I have learned about LDN and other things from your posts. One of the great things about EC is the cumulative body of knowledge from thousands of posters. I have not found another site online that has anything close to this kind of database. Here a little, there a little and next thing you know there is so much information from which to glean.

~Mama to Many~

How to Take Turmeric

Posted by Sue (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) on 10/26/2010
★★★★★

Turmeric is amazing. It is very anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, antivirial, plain and simple it's one of the best things you can add to your diet to improve your health. The best way to take turmeric is to put 1 tsp of turmeric in a glass of water about 1 cup. Add the juice of one lemon, freshly squeezed so that you get the anions from the lemon (very important) as this alkalizes you rapidly. Then add 1 tlbspn of unsulphered Blackstrap molasses which is full of minerals. I sweeten this with the Now brand of stevia extract. This stevia is non imflamatory and is the only one I recommend for this drink as it is safe and non toxic, plus it makes the drink taste much better. One more thing that you should add on the side is kelp. Laminaria digitata is the best kelp to use. This is an amazing drink that will change your life. It will energize you and it will heal you. You can and should drink it for once or twice a day for the rest of your life. Their turmeric is high quality and easy on the budget. Good luck and once you feel the energy from this drink, I hope you recommend it to your family and friends to help their health as well.

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Posted by Windisea (Rancho Cucamonga, Ca, Usa) on 01/30/2010
★★★★★

Hello, To everyone wondering about Tumeric.

I have been using it for about a year now in a mixture with ginger,1/2 & 1/2. I add a little cinnamon, red pepper and cardamon. I just sprinkle it into my coffee, tea and food, to taste, everyday. It doesn't taste bad this way and you do get used to it. By adding it this way it just becomes a part of your diet not something extra you have to do.

I use it for it's anti-inflammatory properties after having a major attack of arthritis. The old damage hasn't gone away but doesn't hurt as much as it did and I would say that I have experienced major improvement in the duration, frequency and intensity of the flare-ups.

HTH, Windisea

Allergies

Posted by Aster (Vancouver Island, Canada) on 07/08/2008
★★★★★

The infection is nearly gone!

I wanted to share, as well, that I have very bad seasonal allergies requiring daily anti-histamine treatment, plus eye drops and nasal spray. As a side effect of taking the turmeric capsules (I must assume as nothing else has changed), I do not have allergies today. It is very hot and dry and I was in the garden for hours today... it is the height of allergy season. I realized I had not taken anti-histamines for two days but have no allergies. I really didn't expect that!!!!

Arthritis and Joint Pain

Posted by Cathy (Richland, Washington) on 09/17/2007
★★★★★

I have had terrible pain in my knees for the last 2 years and have had to give up most activity. Just paid for more xrays from MD and got same response.. its arthritis degenerative.. take lots of ibuprofen every day and reduce exercise.. like I could reduce from nothing! I ahve been taking turmeric and fish oil/flax oil combination oil for 4 days and I worked a 14 hour shift all on my feet and my knees don't hurt!!!!!!!

Boils

Posted by Tlcarteffects (Cleveland, Oh) on 03/27/2014
★★★★★

My daughter started developing painful boils and I started giving her turmeric capsules and it worked like a charm. When she would stop taking them the boils came back. Daily she had to take the turmeric and I know she had hidradenitis suppurativa, an incurable skin disease that hits around puberty characterized by painful boils in areas your body can sweat. This involves the hair follicle and sweat glands. I would highly recommend turmeric to anyone, as it is a powerful anti-inflammatory and really cures boils as well as prevents future boils if taken regularly. These boils are antibiotic resistant also unless they become infected if course. if a boil appears you can also make a poultice with turmeric powder and coconut oil and rub on the area. This forces the boil to heal 3x quicker than it would if left alone. But the trick to avoiding new ones is to take the turmeric on daily basis.

Boils

Posted by Tanny Abad (Paris, France) on 03/22/2011
★★★★★

Recently I've experienced to have a clusters of boils which is very painful especially those underneath my butt and armpit, it's really a pain in the ass and a real sucker. Sometime ago, while browsing the internet, Turmeric pop-up and it gives me an idea and I read it, I was amased the benefits of it, so went immediately to the supermarket to look for turmeric, but I can't find it, I live in Paris which is a different language, so turmeric is known here as Curcuma. I bought it right away and drink it 3 times a day, After 1 day I noticed that my boils started to drain and the pain is gone, Before reaching the 4th day my skin glows and skins that experienced boils peeled off automatically, for the meantime my skin changes a lot and for the better, It brings back my self-esteem and confidence, thanks for this wonder herb called TURMERIC...

Bleeding Gums

Posted by Adolfo (Miami, Florida) on 04/15/2011
★★★★★

You can also use Sea Salt to eliminate bacteria and brighten your teeth. You know it works when people begin asking you what you are doing because your teeth are lighter now.