Turmeric
Commonly used for
Inflammation
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The cheapest product is usually low quality, but more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
What is it? / Overview
Whole turmeric contains curcuminoids plus other bioactive compounds (turmerones, essential oils) that may have complementary anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Turmeric and curcuminoid preparations have shown reductions in osteoarthritis pain and improved function in clinical trials, but products, curcuminoid concentration, and bioavailability technology vary considerably between studies, so results don't generalize cleanly across products.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Turmeric root powder or whole-root extract (raw powder is typically only ~2-5% curcuminoids by weight; standardized extracts are far more concentrated) -- distinct from this database's separate Curcumin entry, which is an isolated, bioavailability-enhanced curcuminoid extract
Typical dose studied: No well-established therapeutic dose exists for ordinary culinary turmeric powder. Clinical trials showing benefit for joint symptoms typically use standardized turmeric/curcuminoid extracts, and their doses cannot be directly converted into grams of turmeric powder.
Timing: With food; absorption varies substantially by formulation. Piperine (black pepper extract)-containing products meaningfully increase curcuminoid absorption, but also increase the potential for drug interactions -- that tradeoff is worth considering rather than adding piperine routinely.
Rare but reasonably well-documented cases of turmeric/curcumin-associated liver injury exist, particularly with some higher-bioavailability formulations -- worth knowing about specifically, not just a generic caution. Not the same product as this database's separate Curcumin entry, which refers to an isolated, enhanced-absorption extract.
How well does it work? / Evidence
~ Moderate evidence
Who should avoid it?
Avoid with: Cholelithiasis / Gallstones or other biliary disease (curcumin can stimulate gallbladder contraction); Bleeding disorder / Coagulopathy
Interacts with: Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (a real precaution, though not as tightly quantified as some other supplement-drug interactions)
Already taking it? Confirm which type of product you're using -- whole turmeric powder and a standardized curcuminoid extract are not equivalent, and this matters for both expected benefit and interaction risk.
Research & references
Daily JW, et al. Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis. ESCEO. Recommendations for the management of knee osteoarthritis. Lombardi N, et al. (2021). Acute liver injury following turmeric use in Tuscany: an analysis of the Italian Phytovigilance database and systematic review of case reports. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
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