Turmeric
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 3, 2025.
What are other common names?
- Curcuma aromatica
- Curcuma domestica
- Curcuma longa
- Curcuma
- Curcumae longae rhizoma
- Curcumin
- Curcumine
- Curcuminoid
- Curcuminoide
- Curcuminoids
- Curcuminoïde
- Curcuminoïdes
- Halada
- Haldi
- Haridra
- Indian Saffron
- Nisha
- Pian Jiang Huang
- Racine de curcuma
- Radix curcumae
- Rajani
- Rhizoma cucurmae longae
- Safran Bourbon
- Safran de batallita
- Safran des indes
- Turmeric Root
- Yu Jin
What is this product used for?
Turmeric may help with bowel problems like diarrhea, intestinal gas, and bloating. It may also help improve pain and swelling caused by arthritis and other conditions. It may help lower cholesterol in some people and reduce the risk of heart problems. Turmeric may improve some skin problems and help lessen skin irritation caused by radiation treatment used for cancer. It may also help improve memory or mood in some people who have mental problems or depression. Turmeric may help improve blood sugar in people who have diabetes or blood sugar problems. It may also help with some liver problems.
What are the precautions when taking this product?
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Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.
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Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.
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Do not use this product if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon. Use birth control you can trust while taking this product.
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Do not take this product if you are breastfeeding.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.
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Take extra care if you are taking drugs to decrease blood sugar such as glyburide, insulin, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, and glipizide. Taking turmeric with these medications may cause your blood sugar to become too low.
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Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:
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Kidney problems like kidney stones
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Liver problems
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Bleeding problems
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Gallstones
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Stomach ulcers or reflux
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Diabetes
Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar, especially if you have blood sugar problems.
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What should I watch for?
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Upset stomach
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Heartburn
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Rash
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When do I need to call the doctor?
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Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
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Signs of low blood sugar. These include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.
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Signs of a heart attack or heart problems. These include increased sweating; dizziness; pain in your chest, jaw, or arm; very fast or very slow heartbeat. Go to the ER right away.
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Very bad throwing up
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Very bad loose stools
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Bruising or bleeding that is not normal
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Blood in your stools or dark, tarry-colored stools
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Changes in menstrual periods like lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles
Last Reviewed Date
2022-04-13Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms
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