Side Effects of Turmeric

Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric has been part of the traditional medicine system of India and some other Asian countries. Other than its therapeutic uses, turmeric has also been used for centuries for culinary purposes. It is believed that this herb has many medicinal properties and is widely used as an antiseptic, to be applied on cuts, bruises and burns. Benefits of turmeric include its anti-bacterial properties too. Now it is a proven fact that these properties of turmeric is due to the presence of the active ingredient called curcumin. Researches are underway to study the possible contributions of this herb in the treatment of some types of cancer, multiple myeloma, Alzheimer's, etc. But like any other herb, turmeric may cause some side effects, if used improperly or in doses higher than the recommended ones. Let us take a look at the side effects of turmeric.

Turmeric Side Effects

It is a common misconception that natural products are safe and people tend to use such things indiscriminately. But over consumption and improper usage can lead to side effects, even in case of herbs. This is applicable for turmeric too, even though it is considered as one of the safest herbs. Turmeric has been associated with very less or no side effects, but studies are underway to figure out the side effects, which may be caused by turmeric. The following is a list of some of the possible side effects of turmeric.

• The prolonged or over consumption of turmeric may lead to gastrointestinal problems. It may cause vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. It is also reported that long term, regular use of turmeric may aggravate acidity and cause heartburn, hyper-acidity, and stomach or intestinal ulcers.
• The anti-clotting properties of turmeric may cause complications in persons with a blood clotting disorder. Turmeric restricts the formation of clots, increasing the risk of bleeding. This can be harmful in people with blood clotting disorder or the people awaiting a surgery.
• Scientific studies conducted on animals show that consumption of high doses of turmeric may be a cause for liver problems. But this is not proved in case of humans. The fact is that no such study has been conducted till date to prove this effect on humans. However, it is suggested by experts that people with any liver conditions, gallbladder and bile duct dysfunctions should restrict and minimize the consumption of turmeric.
• As turmeric is considered a uterine stimulant, it should not be consumed during pregnancy. Though, there are no such reported cases or scientific evidence to prove the same, experts feel that high doses of turmeric supplements may induce uterine contractions, bleeding and miscarriage in pregnant women.
• As in the case of pregnancy, there is no scientific evidence to prove that turmeric is not safe for nursing mothers. There are concerns regarding the health of the mother, who take turmeric supplements.
• Turmeric may also react with some prescription drugs and cause complications. This is applicable in case of anti-coagulant or anti-platelet medications and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Apart from oral consumption, turmeric is also used as a cosmetic. When applied on the skin, this herb can cause rashes in some people, who are allergic.

Though, there are some health concerns over the indiscriminate and prolonged consumption of turmeric, most of the concerns are not backed by any scientific evidence. Avoid this herb, if you are suffering from blood clotting disorders, obstructive jaundice, acute bilious colic, hepatitis and gallbladder obstructions. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also refrain from taking turmeric. However, it is always better to seek expert advice before starting turmeric supplements to avoid the side effects of turmeric.