The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Diarrhea
Posted by Carol (USA)
★★★★★
I was recently diagnosed with ibd (inflammatory bowel disease). Thank the Lord (literally), he led me to this website. My doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory pill and it did not work or at least I did not think so. My stomach kept flaring up and i was having bowel movement after bowel movement. I drank some turmeric tea----1 tsp of turmeric in 4 oz. Of water and i could immediately tell a difference. I have not had a flare up yet even though its only been 1 day, but just the immediate relief was good for me. Once again, thank god for the advice and website.
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Mary (Usa) on 08/11/2018
​​Turmeric and ginger thin the blood, as does hormone d3.
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Sunny (Sunny CA) on 12/31/2022
I tried using turmeric, it always messed with my stomach. any ideas?
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by KT (Usa) on 08/11/2018
Dear Trish,
It could be from the capsules. Open the capsules, sprinkle on food and take powdered ginger with it. They are both anti-inflammatory spices and the Nutrition Almanac reports ginger contains an antidepressant ingredient that may help.
KT
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Janet (In) on 08/12/2018
Homemade Turmeric Extract
Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 10/28/2017
After many years of reading Mama to Many's suggestions for making homemade extracts, I decided to give it a try. I bought turmeric root from the local health food store, washed it (did not peel, as was suggested online) and put it through my salad shooter to grate it. I added a little more than a tablespoon of black peppercorns to the mix. A little over a cup of turmeric was then covered with two cups of 40% vodka. I made it on October 1, and have been shaking it almost daily.
My question is, how long before I strain it into a bottle, and how clear does the liquid have to be to prevent mold growth? (although the vodka may take care of that! ). Do I also need to put it through a coffee filter after the white cloth? I imagine I should put it in a small amount of water before drinking a dropperful, as I do with the HerbPharm I bought? Is it OK to keep it unrefrigerated in a dark place? Thank you! Any advice would be much appreciated!
Homemade Turmeric Extract
Posted by Rsw (Oh) on 10/30/2017
Thank you, MTM! I doubt that I would ever have tried this if you hadn't mentioned your homemade tinctures on Earth Clinic! It is looking fairly dark, so I am telling myself it will be nice and strong. I think the dark brown glass container would be good for the long term, so I will use that. I really appreciate your experienced tips, because I didn't want to ruin it on the homestretch! I will strain it through the cloth and a coffee filter, as you advise. I think I will wait until the end of the week, so it will be almost five weeks since it was started. I will post my reaction to it after I take it for a couple of weeks. You are such a blessing to all of us on this site! Thank you so much.
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Michael (Australia ) on 04/17/2024
Turmeric lowers blood pressure and can make you light headed. Simply reduce dosage.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Mary (Sebring, Fl) on 01/10/2015
I have tried multiple ways to get 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper into me at once; but it's just too much for me. However, I can easily reach that goal by LIGHTLY sprinkling turmeric and black pepper on many things I eat throughout the day: cereal, hot or cold; vegetables; protein sources; after reading a suggestion here, I even tried it on ice cream - and that worked too.
When I have an acute pain, I mix turmeric and black pepper, with organic, raw (unpasteurized) honey* and spread it on, or mash it up with, a banana.**
Add in some peanut butter and cinnamon to help control blood sugar, and increase the "yum".
*I don't buy manuka honey, because honey, as described, works wonders for me. So much so, that sometimes a heaping teaspoon of honey, taken alone, will alleviate acute, non-chronic pain.
**You have to experiment with the amounts at which it is palpable to you or children.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Jennie (Ky, US) on 11/30/2014
Hello All, I cook ALL my veges w/tumeric and other spices. I also put it in my potato salad.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Deedee (Skowhegan, Maine) on 11/17/2014
★★★★★
We're already using coconut oil in our coffee. So I went one step further-and added a good sprinkle of turmeric, which was barely noticeable. We'll also add it to our scrambled eggs-which I also use coconut oil and black pepper anyways. It can also be added into smoothies/frappes type drinks. There are many ways to get it into the diet all day long without it being distasteful, the other night I added it to our rice. I also have some capsules, but it seems even easier to add it to food than trying to remember to take a pill...
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Ed2010 (Canada) on 08/20/2013
Try cooking grade grocery store turmeric powder. Don't use the capsules. Start from a quarter teaspoon.
In South India, some women used to apply turmeric in their face and body during their bath. But it is a different turmeric variety exclusively for applying in skin. Of course, cooking variety of turmeric powder can also be applied on the skin.
I agree some people experience the rash when applying turmeric on their skin. May be because if they rince with soap directly with applied turmeric, as soap reacts with turmeric. Better idea is, cleanse with water and then wash with soap.
When taking internally, try food grade turmeric. Good Health
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 05/28/2016
Kt, I can't see why they can't all be taken together, they are all "sauce ingredients"!
Maybe you could read up on Serrapeptase for adhesions.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Ed2010 (Canada) on 08/18/2013
Ok I will give a recipe to drink Turmeric Powder, a delicioius drink.
Ingredients:
- 1 Tsp - Turmeric Powder
- 250 ml - Butter Milk (incase you don't get butter milk, make your own by mixing 100 ml yoghurt and 150 ml of water)
- 1/2 tsp - Cumin Powder - Optional
- 1/4 tsp - Black Pepper Powder - Optional
- Salt to taste
Mix everything throughly, so flavours of all the herbs blends well. Sprinkle finely chopped Coriander Leaves. Delicious drink is ready. You can change the ratios according to the desired taste.
Get Well Soon.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Wendy (Raymore, Missouri, United States) on 06/03/2013
I found a way to take tumeric that I think is yummy. I warm some almond milk on the stove, pour into a mug, add 1/2 tsp. Turmeric, a dash of pure ground cinnamon and 2 drops vanilla extract and drink before bedtime. It tastes like custard.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Denise (Seattle, Wa) on 02/01/2013
I was told by a woman fro Inida that in India they take tumeric with a heated glass of milk. It works and tastes great! Two or three tablespoons a day. Add Lecithin if you choose to.
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Gurlith (Puttaparthi, A.p. India) on 01/21/2013
I saw the idea of turmeric for weight loss and followed the suggestion on 1/2 teaspoon turmeric in water. It was just before 10 am, about an hour later my heart start beating very violently and I felt so unwell, like very high bloodpreasure, or if I had taken a lot of coffeine. All night I suffered till 5am then I drank a big glass of water and walked a bit and slowly it calmed down. Anybody know what happened?
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 01/21/2013
Gurlith, maybe it was something else, not the turmeric. You seem to be from India so I suppose you eat turmeric often, so it might not be the turmeric that gave you that reaction.
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/22/2014
Re: Turmeric Side Effects: And Robyn, as always, I would add, start SMALL. As in a TINY dosis at a time.
Inflammation
Posted by LeoB (Texas) on 08/11/2017
I too have bad inflammation from badly treated std. Main inflammation is on lingual lymphs, right testicle, pain on wrist and head/neck nerve pain
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Celeste (Pacifica, California) on 09/03/2012
WARNING!
Hello All ~ I am so happy to hear that tumeric has helped nearly all of you... It is a very beneficial herb. However, I must tell you that if you are using tumeric, never, ever get the powder into your eyes. I did that accidentally while putting tumeric into capsules for a friend of mine, and apparently I did not wash my hands thoroughly enough, and I started rubbing my eyes and it took a week for me to finally find some relief. It resulted in swelling, burning and itching! You may ingest it fine with no problem, but never let it get into your eyes especially via rubbing with unwashed hands! Overall though it is a very important beneficial herb. Hope this helps you... God bless and good health to all!!!
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Maria (Gippsland, Australia) on 03/20/2012
You can also add Turmeric to tomato pasta sauces, soups and stews.
Eczema
Posted by Sara (The Beach, Canada) on 03/19/2012
Just a pinch of pepper will do, and it is best to take turmeric with a fat as it is more soluble that way so take it in warm milk or coconut milk or almond milk with a little honey... One more thing, I don't know if you have this where you are but the only thing that has turned my hands and feet around is an ointment called Bag Balm. It is used by farmers for cows, but humans use it too, and I have to say it was soothing, calming, and healing from the first use. I hope this helps you, sara
Eczema
Posted by Nicole (South Africa) on 08/11/2024
Hi, I advise you to take ½ teaspoon turmeric with ½ or ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper instead of black pepper, to enhance the absorption and benefits of turmeric. It is best taken when heated with oil, then added to food. Try frying them in some coconut oil and adding it to meals. Hope this helps.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Kay (Destin, Fl) on 08/27/2012
Oh, and you you aren't that fond of mustard, you can hide a tsp or two in a cheese omlet or make deviled eggs without noticing it!
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by Anon (Anon) on 06/09/2017
That is genius! Garlic would be good, too.
How to Take Turmeric
Posted by 11185d (Jerusalem, Israel) on 10/12/2011
Hello! I drink turmeric all day long, mixed with water and apple cider vinegar.
I'd like to know how I can create a concentrated turmeric substance so that I do not have to consume as much product/have a more potent substance that I can use. Any ideas? Thanks!
Turmeric Pill Ingredients
Posted by Amandav (Mastic Beach, Ny Usa) on 09/15/2011
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Any additives that you find in encapsulated herbals is inevitably going to be a "flow agent", or "packing agent". The flow agents allow the herb to travel through a hopper and into the capsules during the manufacturing process. It also helps the machine in that the parts do not get clogged up as much. The packing agents are for powders that are too slick - where they just fall all over and cannot be controlled. By adding rice or maltodextrin, the powder gets stickier and will pack into the capsules much more readily.
All manufacturers/encapsulators must follow strict FDA guidelines. Any additive must be at a very low percentage - so much so that a person's body will not exhibit side effects. These ingredients are listed as "inactive" so that persons with known allergies can avoid them.
I know, because I worked for NBTY (Nature's Bounty and Vitamin World) for many years.
Fresh Turmeric Vs. Powdered
Posted by Kerrstarr (Walnut Creek, Ca, Usa) on 09/07/2011
HI. I notice everyone talking about using turmeric powder, but I'm really
curious about using fresh turmeric.
Is there better bio-availability from fresh? If so,
how much fresh should I use compared with powdered herb?
I guess this question leads me into other questions about herbs as well. My intuition tells me that I'm generally better off using fresh if and when I can. Am I correct in thinking this?
Also, I get that some herbs are not necessarily water soluble, so would be more effective in a carrier medium. I'm not opposed to making my own tinctures. I'm guessing that with fresh herbs, the oil/water solubility thing is less of an issue. But in the use of dried, how do I determine which herbs are better used as a tea, and which as a tincture? I realize that this is a pretty big question, and maybe I should have broken it down into 3 or 4.... Does anyone know where to find this type of information, other than years and years of study?
(I'm having terrible allergies after relocating form across the country to a totally different climate, and kind of wanted a quick answer about turmeric, but this leads into my general questions about herbs, so I had to ask....)
Thanks!
Fresh Turmeric Vs. Powdered
Posted by Rob (Manhattan, Ny) on 09/07/2011
There seems to be a growing consensus that Turmeric is generally poorly absorbed and that added Piperine (black pepper) enhances it's absorption. We're seeing more Turmeric products with this addition.
In terms of flavor and cooking, fresh Turmeric and Ginger both possess large differences over the dried versions... With Fresh often preferred for it's more complex flavor. I don't know if the therapeutic value is any greater... the general rule for Turmeric is 1/2 tsp dried for 1 inch of the fresh root or 1tsp fresh minced root.
Fresh Turmeric Vs. Powdered
Posted by Ollytempe (Px, Arizona) on 11/21/2011
Kerrstarr- It is all relative to each individual herb. Some herb contain the desired constituents when fresh and others when dried. As far as solubility, this depends on the chemical profile of the herb and which constituents you desire to extract. Different menstruums (carriers) may include water, alcohol, oil, and glycerite.
When preparing Turmeric, water and alcohol are suitable menstruums. Dried is the traditional way its used but some recent companies do tincture (alcohol) it fresh at 45% alcohol at a ratio of 1:1. I could not find a reference to the ethanol percentage used when tincturing dry but from the looks of it i'd say anywhere from 30-40% would be suitable at a ratio of 1:2 (Alcohol:herb). Turmeric may also be used in a decoction (boiling herb in water).
When studying herbs it is best to buy books from trusted herbalist and study one herb at a time. Each is unique in its own way.
-Daniel, Herbalist
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Deepthi S Kumar (Kannur, Kerala, India) on 07/26/2011
I am using Turmeric powder with honey for my cough and astama for last two months. My cough as well as my astama has very much subsided. However, I have developed mouth ulcers and stomach feels always bloated. Now I am taking B complex for mouth ulcers. I strongly believe the mouth ulcers are formed due to consumption of turmeric powder as my husband aslo has doveloped the same after using turmeric powder. This is for the information of all readers of earth clinic. Deepti.
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Anndee (Mumbai, India) on 06/19/2012
I too have been facing the same problem. Today is my second day of having turmeric in warm water and I find the side of my tongue is hurting due to an ulcer. I am having turmeric to cure the recurring boil problem that I have been having since last two years.. I have one painful boil each month and it takes 10-12 days to go away completely, just to come up again, in and around the same area, the next month.. Please help!!!
Turmeric Side Effects
Posted by Baldev (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India) on 06/20/2012 184 posts
Hi Deepthi and Anndee, what I find is that you are taking Turmeric in the raw form, so surely it will give you the reaction what you are having. Please try taking it with the food, for example you can have even one table spoon of it in your Oats breakfast. While cooking your oats you can put a banana, turmeric and after it is cooked you can put some honey. It will not give you any reaction. Baldev
