What it is
It is the rhizome of Curcuma longa. The European monograph only recognises a traditional use: relieving mild digestive complaints such as a feeling of fullness, slow digestion and wind. Everything else it is credited with — anti-inflammatory, joint support, antioxidant — has not been shown well enough to recommend at the counter.
Its best-studied compound, curcumin, is very poorly absorbed. That is why many supplements combine it with piperine or other "high bioavailability" formulas. More absorption is not only more effect: cases of liver injury have been reported with turmeric supplements, many of them with these formulations.
How it works
What is known:
- It stimulates bile secretion, which explains its traditional use for heavy digestion
- Curcumin shows anti-inflammatory effects in the laboratory that have not translated into a clinical indication
- Piperine raises its absorption by inhibiting metabolising enzymes, and that can also alter other medicines
At the counter
When to recommend it
- A feeling of fullness and slow digestion, in adults
- Mild wind after meals
- People who use it as a spice in cooking: in culinary amounts it raises no concern
- With a short, clear time frame to judge whether it helps
When not to
- Bile duct obstruction, gallstones or liver disease
- Anticoagulant treatment, without checking first
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and under-18s, for lack of data
- As a treatment for osteoarthritis or an inflammatory disease: it is not one
Warnings
- Important Liver: cases of hepatitis have been reported with turmeric supplements, many with high-bioavailability formulations. Stop it with jaundice, dark urine or marked tiredness.
- Important Anticoagulants: increases in anticoagulant effect have been described. Check before combining them.
- Caution Contraindicated with bile duct obstruction; with gallstones, only after checking.
- Caution Piperine can change the levels of other medicines.
- Worth knowing As a spice in cooking, in usual amounts, it does not raise these problems.
How it is used
- For slow digestion: take it with meals, at the dose of the specific product.
- If the complaint does not improve within about two weeks, it needs a consultation.
- Not recommended under 18, for lack of data.
- With marked tiredness, yellow skin or eyes, or dark urine, stop it and seek advice.
What is claimed vs what is recognised
| Aspect | What is claimed | What the monograph recognises |
|---|---|---|
| Slow digestion and fullness | Relief | Traditional use, yes |
| Osteoarthritis and joint pain | Natural anti-inflammatory | Not recognised |
| Without piperine | "It does not work" | The recognised use does not require it |
| Safety | "It is natural" | Reported cases of liver injury |
| Children and teenagers | No warning | Not recommended under 18 |
Turmeric has a small, specific place: mild digestive complaints in adults. The rest is advertising.
Self-assessment
Three questions. When you check your answers you will see the explanation for each one.
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Only a traditional digestive use. Joint and antioxidant claims are not recognised.
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Cases of hepatitis have been reported. With jaundice, dark urine or marked tiredness, stop it and seek advice.
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It stimulates bile secretion, so it is contraindicated with biliary obstruction and needs checking with gallstones.
Training content. It does not replace the summary of product characteristics or clinical judgement.