“Consult your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner (e.g. aspirin, warfarin, apixaban) as turmeric can potentially increase the risk of bleeding,” she explains. She also notes that taking turmeric with other dietary supplements that also have blood thinning effects, such as ginger and vitamin E, can further increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. Additionally, she points out that studies have shown turmeric can affect gallbladder-related concerns.
“For those with gallbladder disease, gallstones, or bile duct obstruction, this dietary supplement should be avoided as it can stimulate the release of bile which could aggravate these conditions,” she says.
What medications can’t be taken with turmeric?
As mentioned above, blood-thinning medications and supplements can potentially interact with turmeric. As for skin-specific medications, Dr. Khalifian notes that because turmeric has some blood-thinning properties, it could potentially enhance the effects of isotretinoin or other medications that increase skin’s photosensitivity, leading to sunburns and fragility that could lead to bruising or delayed wound healing.
“Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory effects could theoretically reduce the efficacy of treatments like benzoyl peroxide or retinoids, which rely on controlled inflammation for their action,” he explains. “While these interactions aren’t dangerous, patients should use sunscreen to offset any potential photosensitivity and discuss new supplements with their dermatologist to ensure optimal results.”
Is turmeric safe during pregnancy?
While casual consumption of turmeric in food is generally considered safe, some doctors suggest pregnant or breastfeeding people should avoid turmeric and curcumin supplements. As our experts suggest, speak to your doctor before putting turmeric juice or supplements into your routine.
When should I take turmeric?
Turmeric is a staple in diets across the globe and can be consumed throughout the day. However, as Dr. Akhiyat points out, it’s really about what you’re consuming along with it.
“As a solitary supplement, it can be consumed as a shot, juice, smoothie, or dietary tablet,” she explains. “It is important to know that raw curcumin has relatively poor bioavailability when consumed via ingestion. In other words, when taken orally by itself, not much of it is absorbed in the digestive tract. Adding black pepper (piperine) or fat (oils, avocado, nuts) to turmeric can increase the absorption rate of curcumin.”
How to Make Turmeric Shots
Historically, turmeric root has been used in elixirs for overall vitality and beauty. You can simply add the root to a juicer and shoot the strong, golden liquid straight —or add some ginger and lemon juice to the mix —but when prepared as a tonic, the stuff makes for a more refreshing midday pick-me-up. Below, you’ll find a top-shelf tonic recipe from NYC’s beloved and now-shuttered vegetarian cafe, El Rey. Expert tip: It is common to add a teaspoon of coconut oil or ghee (clarified butter, rich in omega-3s) to help activate the natural compounds in the tonic and aid absorption into the body. The amount of turmeric you use in this recipe depends on the strength of the tonic you desire, but we say the stronger, the better!
Ingredients:
2 T grated fresh turmeric
1 T grated fresh ginger
1 cardamom pod
2 cups water
1/4 cup raw honey
1 T dried chamomile flowers
1 lemon
Sparkling water or coconut water
Instructions:
1. Peel the turmeric and ginger with a vegetable peeler (wear gloves—turmeric root stains!), then grate into a medium saucepot. Crush the cardamom pod to loosen the shell; remove the seeds and add to a pot. Add the water, and simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes.
2. While the turmeric mixture is simmering, combine the chamomile flowers and honey in another pot and gently warm to infuse.
3. Strain each mixture with a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, and set aside to cool. (Both can be refrigerated in airtight glass containers for up to a week.)
4. To make one serving, combine 1/3 cup of the turmeric-ginger elixir, 1/2 tablespoon of the chamomile honey, the juice of half a lemon, and either sparkling or coconut water for ultra hydration!
Sourcing: You can find turmeric root at your local Chinese grocery or specialty grocery. Dried chamomile flowers, ghee, and coconut oil are readily available at local health or specialty markets.
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