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In the lab, curcumin affects inflammation-related pathways [1, 2]; its absorption is low [3, 4]. In humans, findings vary with dose and preparation [8]. Kitchen powder supplies only small amounts [11].

In short
  • Cell and animal studies: curcumin affects inflammation-related pathways [1, 2]
  • Low absorption: after 10 or 12 g, free curcumin in serum in only 1 of 12 people [4]
  • 1.3- to 45.9-fold absorption depending on formulation [7]
  • Human studies: effects for 23 of 42 outcomes, methodological limitations [8]
  • No established cause-and-effect in EFSA's assessment of one claim [14]

What's behind it

Turmeric contains the yellow pigment curcumin. In laboratory studies, curcumin binds to many proteins and affects transcription factors that control the formation of inflammation-related enzymes and messengers. These findings come mostly from cell cultures and animal experiments [1]. In experiments, curcumin dampened the production of TNF, IL-1 and IL-6, probably by inhibiting the transcription factor NF-κB [2]. Antioxidant activity is also attributed to it [3].

Whether any of this reaches the human body depends on absorption. Low bioavailability is regarded as the central problem [3]. After a single oral dose of 10 or 12 g in twelve healthy volunteers, free curcumin was detectable in serum in only one person, whereas glucuronides and sulfates were found in all; the estimated half-life was 6.8 hours [4]. In a dose-escalation study with 24 healthy people, no curcumin was detectable in serum after single doses of 0.5 to 8 g [5].

What the sources show

Daily intake: In a phase I study of 25 people with precancerous conditions, curcumin was given for three months at escalating daily doses (0.5 to 8 g per day; larger amounts were unacceptable because of their bulk). No treatment-related toxicity occurred up to 8 g. Serum levels peaked after one to two hours and fell within twelve hours [6]. In the single-dose study, 7 of 24 healthy people had minimal, non-dose-related side effects [5].

Formulation: Depending on the formulation, absorption in a crossover study rose 1.3- to 45.9-fold compared with a standard mixture [7].

Effects in humans: A meta-analysis of 103 randomized trials (7,216 participants) found significant effects for 23 of 42 outcomes; the evidence was rated high for fasting blood sugar, CRP, HDL cholesterol and body weight. The authors point to methodological limitations [8]. In a study of 50 people with knee osteoarthritis, pain scores (VAS) after eight weeks of 180 mg curcumin daily were lower than with placebo [9]. In twelve healthy volunteers, gallbladder volume fell by 34, 51 and 72 % two hours after 20, 40 and 80 mg of curcumin [10].

Spice amounts: Daily intake of herbs and spices is very low compared with most other foods [11]. For the food additive curcumin (E 100), EFSA cites an acceptable daily intake of 3 mg per kg body weight [12].

Safety reports: Reports of liver injury exist for Curcuma supplements; a review counts only a few cases assessed by RUCAM and discusses whether piperine in the products plays a role [13].

What this means in practice

Effects depend strongly on dose, formulation and the group studied. Kitchen powder supplies only small amounts of curcumin; the studies mostly used extracts or special preparations. EFSA has assessed a health claim on curcumin (joint function) and found no established cause-and-effect relationship [14].

Limits of the statement

This answer describes study results and gives no dosage recommendation. Results from cell cultures and animal experiments cannot be transferred directly to humans. Many human studies are small and short; several studied people with illnesses, not healthy people. Curcumin does not replace medical treatment.

Common follow-up questions

Important with medication

If you take medication regularly or have a medical condition, discuss curcumin supplements with a doctor or pharmacist beforehand.

Pure turmeric powder contains on average about 3.1% curcumin (curry powders much less and highly variable) (Tayyem et al., 2006) DOI. After a single dose of 10–12 g curcumin, free curcumin was barely detectable in blood; mostly glucuronides and sulfates were found (Vareed et al., 2008) DOI. For curcumin as a food additive, an ADI of 3 mg/kg body weight per day applies (EFSA, 2010) DOI.

In a study of patients with precancerous conditions, serum curcumin peaked 1–2 hours after intake and declined within 12 hours (Cheng et al., 2001) PMID 11712783. In healthy volunteers (single dose of 10 or 12 g), the time to peak was about 3.3 hours and the half-life about 6.8 hours; mostly glucuronides and sulfates were detected (Vareed et al., 2008) DOI.

After intake, curcumin is rapidly metabolized in the liver and intestinal wall (Shoba et al., 1998) DOI; mostly glucuronides and sulfates are found in blood (Vareed et al., 2008) DOI, and curcumin and its metabolites were also detected in urine (Sharma et al., 2004) DOI. In 15 cancer patients taking 3.6 g/day, ex vivo-induced PGE2 production in blood was reduced by 57–62% (same study). A meta-analysis found lower CRP levels (Ferguson et al., 2020) DOI.

Meta-analyses of randomized trials show small effects on blood lipids (64 trials: total cholesterol −4.0 mg/dL, LDL −4.9 mg/dL; low-quality evidence) (Dehzad et al., 2023) DOI and on inflammatory markers such as CRP (Ferguson et al., 2020) DOI. Results for blood pressure are inconsistent: no significant effect in 11 trials (Hadi et al., 2019) DOI, a small reduction (systolic −2.0 mmHg) in 35 trials (Dehzad et al., 2024) DOI.

In a randomized crossover study of 12 healthy volunteers, gallbladder volume measured by ultrasound decreased about 34%, 51% and 72% two hours after 20, 40 and 80 mg curcumin, respectively (Rasyid et al., 2002) DOI. This indicates stimulation of gallbladder contraction; no conclusions about digestive complaints can be drawn from it.

For curcumin as a food additive (E 100), an ADI of 3 mg per kg body weight per day applies (EFSA, 2010) DOI; for 70 kg, that is 210 mg by calculation. In a phase I study of 25 patients, there was no treatment-related toxicity up to 8,000 mg curcumin per day; beyond that, the bulk volume was unacceptable to patients (Cheng et al., 2001) PMID 11712783. A general upper limit for turmeric as a spice cannot be derived from this.

Read more

  • Intake guide: Bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.
  • Safety check: Safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: General questions about effects and application areas of the turmeric active ingredient.
  • Joint focus: Inflammatory processes and joint complaints in a study overview.

References

  • [1] Goel, A., Kunnumakkara, A. B. & Aggarwal, B. B. (2008). Curcumin as "Curecumin": from kitchen to clinic. Biochemical Pharmacology. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.08.016
  • [2] Jagetia, G. C. & Aggarwal, B. B. (2007). "Spicing up" of the immune system by curcumin. Journal of Clinical Immunology. DOI: 10.1007/s10875-006-9066-7
  • [3] Prasad, S., Tyagi, A. K. & Aggarwal, B. B. (2014). Recent developments in delivery, bioavailability, absorption and metabolism of curcumin: the golden pigment from golden spice. Cancer Research and Treatment. DOI: 10.4143/crt.2014.46.1.2
  • [4] Vareed, S. K. et al. (2008). Pharmacokinetics of curcumin conjugate metabolites in healthy human subjects. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-2693
  • [5] Lao, C. D. et al. (2006). Dose escalation of a curcuminoid formulation. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-6-10
  • [6] Cheng, A. L. et al. (2001). Phase I clinical trial of curcumin, a chemopreventive agent, in patients with high-risk or pre-malignant lesions. Anticancer Research. PMID: 11712783
  • [7] Jäger, R. et al. (2014). Comparative absorption of curcumin formulations. Nutrition Journal. DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-13-11
  • [8] Jafari, A. et al. (2024). Curcumin on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 103 Randomized Controlled Trials. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8340
  • [9] Nakagawa, Y. et al. (2014). Short-term effects of highly-bioavailable curcumin for treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled prospective study. Journal of Orthopaedic Science. DOI: 10.1007/s00776-014-0633-0
  • [10] Rasyid, A., Rahman, A. R. A. & Jaalam, K. (2002). Effect of different curcumin dosages on human gall bladder. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-6047.2002.00296.x
  • [11] Vázquez-Fresno, R. et al. (2019). Herbs and Spices - Biomarkers of Intake Based on Human Intervention Studies - A Systematic Review. Genes & Nutrition. DOI: 10.1186/s12263-019-0636-8
  • [12] EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS) (2010). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of curcumin (E 100) as a food additive. EFSA Journal 8(9):1679. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1679
  • [13] Stati, G. et al. (2021). Curcuma longa Hepatotoxicity: A Baseless Accusation. Cases Assessed for Causality Using RUCAM Method. Frontiers in Pharmacology. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.780330
  • [14] EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2017). Curcumin and normal functioning of joints: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4774

Curcumin has mainly been studied for PMS and menstrual pain. The studies are inconsistent: one found fewer PMS symptoms than placebo [2], another effects comparable to placebo [3]. There are no data on menopause or pregnancy.

Curcuma & women
  • Mainly PMS and dysmenorrhea were studied [2, 3, 4]
  • Inconsistent results: benefit in [2], [4], comparable to placebo in [3]
  • Systematic review: 6 of 10 trials with decreased symptoms [6]
  • No data on menopause or pregnancy
  • See a doctor for severe complaints or if taking medication

What's behind it

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric. In cell and animal experiments it affects transcription factors that control the formation of inflammation-related enzymes and messengers [1]. Because inflammatory processes are discussed in menstrual pain and premenstrual complaints, curcumin has been studied in several trials in young women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea. These mechanisms have not been specifically demonstrated in women.

What the sources show

In a randomized trial of 70 women with PMS (two capsules daily, from seven days before to three days after menstruation, three cycles), the total PMS score fell from 102 to 42 with curcumin and from 106 to 92 with placebo; the difference was significant [2].

Not all studies show a benefit: in a triple-blind trial of 124 women with PMS and dysmenorrhea (500 mg curcuminoid daily, 10 days per cycle, three cycles), symptoms declined similarly in the curcumin and placebo groups. The authors write that curcumin had effects comparable to placebo [3]. In a study of 62 students (500 mg daily, 10 days per cycle, two cycles), the PMS score and pain score (VAS) in the second cycle were lower with curcumin than with placebo [4].

In a study of 76 women, the inflammatory marker hsCRP was slightly lower with curcumin than with placebo; iron values did not change [5]. A systematic review pools ten randomized trials: six reported a significant decrease in PMS and dysmenorrhea symptoms. The authors see a need for further research on dosage and treatment duration [6].

What this means in practice

The studies are inconsistent and do not allow the statement that curcumin affects menstrual pain or PMS. They involve young women with defined complaints, mostly over a few cycles. For menopause, pregnancy or hormone balance, the sources used here provide no data. Anyone with severe or persistent complaints, or who takes medication, should discuss curcumin supplements with a doctor beforehand. Curcumin does not replace medical treatment.

Limits of the statement

This answer describes the state of research and gives no dosage recommendation. The studies are small, short and use different preparations and scales; some include piperine. Long-term data are lacking.

Common follow-up questions

In a randomized trial with 68 female students (500 mg curcumin daily over two cycles), pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea fell from 6.5 to 4.53 and 3.44, while the placebo group showed no significant change (Abdoli et al., 2025) DOI. A systematic review found significant improvement of PMS and dysmenorrhea symptoms in 6 of 10 trials (Shrateh et al., 2025) DOI.

In a placebo-controlled trial with 70 women (two capsules daily, from 7 days before to 3 days after menstruation, over 3 cycles), the total PMS score fell from 102 to 42 in the curcumin group and from 106 to 92 with placebo (Khayat et al., 2015) DOI. A systematic review found significant improvement in 6 of 10 trials (Shrateh et al., 2025) DOI.

Safety in pregnancy is not established: the EMA states that the safety of Curcuma preparations in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established and, in the absence of data, advises against use (EMA, 2018) EMA. Discuss supplements with your doctor.

Read more

Want to dive deeper into the subject? Continue here:

  • Safety check: A detailed look at safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: Answers to general questions about effects and application areas of the turmeric active ingredient.
  • Intake guide: Worth knowing about bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.

References

  • [1] Goel, A., Kunnumakkara, A. B. & Aggarwal, B. B. (2008). Curcumin as "Curecumin": from kitchen to clinic. Biochemical Pharmacology. DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2007.08.016
  • [2] Khayat, S. et al. (2015). Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2015.04.001
  • [3] Bahrami, A. et al. (2021). Effects of curcumin on menstrual pattern, premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea: A triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7314
  • [4] Shabani, F. et al. (2025). The effect of oral curcumin capsules on symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Pharmaceutical Health Care and Sciences. DOI: 10.1186/s40780-025-00470-1
  • [5] Talebpour, A. et al. (2023). Effect of curcumin on inflammatory biomarkers and iron profile in patients with premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial. Physiological Reports. DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15763
  • [6] Shrateh, O. N. et al. (2025). Curcumin, a bioactive supplement for premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: A systematic review of randomised clinical trials. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol X. DOI: 10.1016/j.eurox.2025.100432

Fermented turmeric is turmeric powder fermented with microorganisms. In one study of 60 people with elevated liver enzymes, ALT and AST fell on 3 g per day versus placebo [1]; there are no human absorption comparisons. The rest comes from lab and animal studies [2][3].

Fermented turmeric
  • Fermented with microorganisms: e.g. lactic acid bacteria [2][3]
  • One human study: 60 people with elevated ALT, 12 weeks [1]
  • Lab and mouse: results vary by method [2][3][4]
  • Absorption in humans: not compared

What lies behind it

Fermented turmeric is turmeric powder or pulp fermented with microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria. The effect depends on the method: fermentation with Lactobacillus fermentum increased the curcumin content of turmeric by 9.76% in the lab [2]. In a mouse study with L. paracasei, on the other hand, the curcuminoid content fell as a result of fermentation [3]. In fermented turmeric pulp, phenolic content (from 5.59 to 6.27 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity in the test tube (from 67.5 to 79.0%) also rose [4].

What the sources show

The only human study found in the sources: Kim et al. gave 60 adults with mildly to moderately elevated ALT levels (40-200 IU/L) either 3.0 g of fermented turmeric powder per day or 3.0 g of placebo for 12 weeks. Forty-eight people were analysed. In the turmeric group, ALT (p = 0.019) and AST (p = 0.02) were lower than with placebo, GGT showed a trend, and alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and blood lipids were unchanged. No severe adverse events were reported [1]. Because unfermented turmeric was not used as a comparator, the effect cannot be attributed to the fermentation.

The remaining data come from cell culture and animals. In LPS-stimulated macrophage cells (RAW 264.7), L. fermentum-fermented turmeric lowered nitrite as well as TNF-α and TLR-4; more cells survived than with unfermented turmeric, and suppression of the JNK pathway was seen only with the fermented turmeric [2]. In mice on a high-fat diet, weight gain and metabolic parameters were more favourable with 5% fermented turmeric in the diet over 16 weeks than with unfermented turmeric [3]. These results cannot be transferred to humans.

We found no human data comparing the absorption of curcumin from fermented and unfermented turmeric, or comparing tolerability, in a Europe PMC search. For context: EFSA assessed a health claim on curcumin and joint function and found no cause-and-effect relationship established [5]; we did not find a separate assessment for fermented turmeric.

What this means in practice

Fermented turmeric is a food raw material with promising but weakly supported data. Whether it is absorbed or tolerated better than ordinary turmeric powder remains open according to the studies found. Liver disease or elevated liver enzymes should be clarified with a doctor rather than with a supplement.

Limits of this statement

There is a single human study with 60 participants, without a comparison to unfermented turmeric; the other results come from the lab and animals [1][2][3][4]. Fermentation methods and microorganisms differ between studies. Long-term and safety data beyond 12 weeks are missing in the sources reviewed.

Frequently asked follow-up questions

That is not proven. In a rat study, peak concentration and area under the curve of plasma antioxidant activity were higher after a fermented turmeric beverage than after turmeric powder (Pianpumepong et al., 2012) DOI. In a cell-based study, fermentation with Lactobacillus fermentum raised the curcumin content by 9.76 % (Yong et al., 2019) DOI. We found no human comparison studies on absorption.

Turmeric is fermented with microorganisms; studies used, for example, lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum (Pianpumepong et al., 2012) DOI or Lactobacillus fermentum (Yong et al., 2019) DOI as well as the mould Aspergillus oryzae (Ho et al., 2012) DOI. Duration and process depend on the manufacturer and the experimental set-up; we found no uniform standards.

We found no evidence for this. The only human study of fermented turmeric powder that we found looked at liver values: 60 people with elevated ALT received 3 g per day for 12 weeks, ALT and AST fell compared with placebo, and no severe adverse events occurred (Kim et al., 2013) DOI. Digestive complaints were not a study outcome. If symptoms persist, talk to your doctor.

Keep reading

Want to go deeper? Here's where to continue:

  • Safety check: A detailed look at safety, potential side effects and interactions.
  • Effects overview: Answers to general questions about effects and areas of use of the turmeric active ingredient.
  • Intake guide: Information on bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.

References

  • [1] Kim, S. W. et al. (2013). The effectiveness of fermented turmeric powder in subjects with elevated alanine transaminase levels: a randomised controlled study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-58
  • [2] Yong, C. C. et al. (2019). Effect of Lactobacillus fermentation on the anti-inflammatory potential of turmeric. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. DOI: 10.4014/jmb.1906.06032
  • [3] Lin, W.-S. et al. (2024). Modulatory effects of Lactobacillus paracasei-fermented turmeric on metabolic dysregulation and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01501
  • [4] Sharma, P., Kashyap, P. & Dhakane, A. (2023). Exploring the antioxidant potential of fermented turmeric pulp: effect of extraction methods and microencapsulation. Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology. DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2022.2163256
  • [5] EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2017). Curcumin and normal functioning of joints: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4774

Honey is antibacterial in the lab [1], and honey alone modestly reduced cough in children in trials [4]. For the combination with turmeric there is only one lab study on bacteria [3] and no human study. Honey is not for infants under 12 months [6].

Honey & turmeric
  • Honey alone: antibacterial in the lab [1]; probably better than nothing or placebo for cough in children [4]
  • Turmeric + honey: only one lab study on bacteria [3]
  • Human studies on the combination: none found
  • Infants: no honey before 12 months of age [6]

What lies behind it

Honey with turmeric is often prepared as a warm drink or paste. There are data on the individual components: in laboratory experiments honey acts as an antibacterial, in many honeys mainly through enzymatically produced hydrogen peroxide; the effect varies considerably between honeys [1]. In human studies, curcumin influences NF-κB and cyclooxygenase-2, among other molecules [2]. This does not automatically mean that the two together have an effect on symptoms.

What the sources show

For the combination itself we found one laboratory study: Jadaun et al. tested curcumin (50 µg/mL) with 1% honey on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, examining whether the quorum-sensing-controlled production of virulence factors and biofilm formation would fall; the title summarises that honey enhanced the anti-quorum-sensing and anti-biofilm effect of curcumin [3]. This is a bacterial model, not a human study. A Europe PMC search for studies on honey and curcumin/turmeric found no controlled human trial.

On honey alone for cough: a Cochrane review pooled six randomised trials with 899 children (12 months to 18 years). Honey probably reduced cough frequency more than no treatment or placebo (moderate-certainty evidence); compared with dextromethorphan the difference was small. Given for up to three days, honey was probably more effective than placebo, but not beyond that. Most children received honey for only one night [4]. These studies examined honey without turmeric.

For context: EFSA assessed a health claim on curcumin and joint function and found no cause-and-effect relationship established [5]; we did not find an EFSA assessment for honey-turmeric combinations.

What this means in practice

Honey with turmeric is a home remedy without human studies of the combination. If you like it as a drink, that is a matter of taste, not a proven effect against infections. If symptoms persist or are severe, have them checked by a doctor. Infants under 12 months should not be given honey because infant botulism can occur [6].

Limits of this statement

The statements on honey rest on laboratory experiments and on trials of honey alone for cough in children [1][4]; the combination has only been studied on bacteria in the lab [3]. The Cochrane trials also had limitations, such as treatment mostly lasting only one night [4]. No data on long-term use of the combination were found.

Frequently asked follow-up questions

A common variant is “golden milk”: stir turmeric (paste or powder) into milk and warm it. Turmeric paste (2% and 6%) in cow and soya milk, with and without heating, has been studied (Idowu-Adebayo et al., 2022) DOI. Add honey to taste; there is no evidence of a special effect of this combination.

Studied in the lab only: in an in vitro study, curcumin (50 µg/mL) together with 1% honey reduced quorum-sensing-mediated virulence factor production and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Jadaun et al., 2015) DOI. The authors describe the combination as more effective than curcumin alone. This study provides no evidence of an antibacterial effect in humans.

Not in infants: honey is an identified source of Clostridium botulinum spores, and C. botulinum organisms were found in 9 of 90 honey samples in one investigation (Arnon et al., 1979) PMID 368301. Health authorities uniformly advise against giving honey to children under 12 months (Aricò et al., 2026) DOI. This also applies to honey-turmeric mixtures. For older children, talk to your pediatrician first.

Keep reading

Want to go deeper? Here's where to continue:

  • Safety check: A detailed look at safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: Answers to general questions about effects and areas of use of the turmeric active ingredient.
  • Intake guide: Information on bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.

References

  • [1] Mandal, M. D. & Mandal, S. (2011). Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(11)60016-6
  • [2] Gupta, S. C., Patchva, S. & Aggarwal, B. B. (2013). Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials. The AAPS Journal. DOI: 10.1208/s12248-012-9432-8
  • [3] Jadaun, V. et al. (2015). Honey enhances the anti-quorum sensing activity and anti-biofilm potential of curcumin. RSC Advances. DOI: 10.1039/c5ra14427b
  • [4] Oduwole, O. et al. (2018). Honey for acute cough in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007094.pub5
  • [5] EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2017). Curcumin and normal functioning of joints: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4774
  • [6] Grant, K. A., McLauchlin, J. & Amar, C. (2013). Infant botulism: advice on avoiding feeding honey to babies and other possible risk factors. Community Practitioner. PMID: 23914481

Curry is a spice blend with widely varying composition; curry powder contained little and highly variable curcumin in one analysis [1]. There are studies on individual ingredients as supplements [2–4], not on curry blends.

Curry & health
  • Blend with widely varying composition
  • Curry powder: little, highly variable curcumin content [1]
  • Studies concern individual ingredients as supplements [2, 3, 4]
  • No health studies on curry as a blend in the sources
  • Curry does not replace medical treatment

What's behind it

Curry is not a single plant but a spice blend whose composition varies widely by recipe and region. Turmeric is often but not always included; ginger, cumin or coriander are common additions. For this reason, little can be said about "curry" as a whole.

What the sources show

An analysis of 28 spice products sold as turmeric or curry powder found that pure turmeric powder averaged 3.14 % curcumin by weight. With one exception, the curry powders contained relatively little curcumin, and the content varied greatly [1]. By calculation, 3.14 % corresponds to about 31 mg curcumin per gram of powder (our own conversion); in curry powders the content was clearly lower according to the analysis.

For other common curry ingredients there are studies on supplements, not on curry blends. A meta-analysis of nine studies on ginger supplements reported lower CRP values on average (−0.84 mg/L) [2]. For cumin supplements, a meta-analysis of six studies with 376 participants showed lower total and LDL cholesterol and higher HDL [3]. Another meta-analysis of eight studies (552 participants), by contrast, found no significant change in fasting blood sugar, insulin or HOMA-IR [4]. These findings apply to supplements at study-specific amounts and cannot be transferred to curry dishes.

What this means in practice

The effect of a curry depends on the recipe and the amount. The available studies examine individual ingredients as supplements, not curry blends in meals. A statement that curry promotes health cannot be derived from them. People with allergies or special dietary needs should check the ingredient list. Curry does not replace medical treatment.

Limits of the statement

This answer contains no dosage recommendation. The sources used contain no health studies on curry as a blend. The meta-analyses concern supplements with different doses and study durations.

Common follow-up questions

It varies greatly. Pure turmeric powder averaged 3.14% curcumin, whereas curry powders mostly contained little, with great variability (Tayyem et al., 2006) PMID 17044766. In market samples, mixed curry powders contained 0.3–1.9 mg/g (0.03–0.19%) curcumin (Dixit et al., 2008) DOI.

There is no study comparing homemade with store-bought curry. What is known: commercial curry powders vary widely in curcumin content (Tayyem et al., 2006) PMID 17044766, and 20.0% of 2,235 commercial turmeric samples were adulterated (Gafner et al., 2026) DOI. When mixing your own, you choose the ingredients, salt and sugar yourself.

Ginger, coriander and cumin are common (Siripongvutikorn et al., 2024) DOI. For ginger, a meta-analysis of 16 RCTs with 1,010 participants pooled lower CRP and TNF-α levels (Morvaridzadeh et al., 2020) DOI. For coriander only cell and animal studies exist (Malek Mahdavi & Javadivala, 2022) DOI, and for cumin a seed compound active in cell experiments (Kang et al., 2019) DOI.

Read further

Want to go deeper into the subject? Here's where to continue:

  • Safety check: A detailed look at safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: Answers to general questions about effects and areas of use of the active ingredient in turmeric.
  • Intake guide: Worth knowing about bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.

References

  • [1] Tayyem, R. F., Heath, D. D., Al-Delaimy, W. K. & Rock, C. L. (2006). Curcumin content of turmeric and curry powders. Nutrition and Cancer. DOI: 10.1207/s15327914nc5502_2
  • [2] Mazidi, M. et al. (2016). The effect of ginger supplementation on serum C-reactive protein, lipid profile and glycaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Food & Nutrition Research. DOI: 10.3402/fnr.v60.32613
  • [3] Hadi, A. et al. (2019). Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) is a safe approach for management of lipid parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6162
  • [4] Karimian, J., Farrokhzad, A. & Jalili, C. (2021). The effect of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) supplementation on glycemic indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7075

In the lab, curcumin changes the activity of immune cells and messengers [1]. Human studies are few, e.g. fewer cold days with one preparation in healthy adults [2]. Whether it strengthens defense cannot be derived from this [2, 3].

In short
  • Lab and animal experiments: curcumin alters immune cells and messengers [1]
  • One study with 99 healthy adults: fewer days with cold symptoms [2]
  • After exercise, smaller rise in some inflammatory markers [3]
  • Strengthening of immune defense cannot be derived from this [2, 3]
  • Limited and inconsistent evidence

What's behind it

The immune system works with many cell types and messenger molecules. A review describes that, in laboratory and animal experiments, curcumin can alter the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells and dendritic cells. It also reduced the production of pro-inflammatory messengers such as TNF, IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8, probably by inhibiting the transcription factor NF-κB. At low doses it even enhanced antibody responses in experiments [1]. Such findings describe mechanisms, not effects in humans.

What the sources show

Human studies are few. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 99 healthy Japanese adults, the cumulative number of days with common cold symptoms after 12 weeks of 150 mg highly bioavailable curcumin daily was lower than with placebo; no adverse effects occurred [2]. This is a single study with specific preparations and a narrowly defined group.

After strenuous exercise (28 participants, 400 mg curcumin daily from 2 days before to 4 days after), CK, TNF-α and IL-8 rose less than with placebo; IL-6, IL-10 and muscle soreness did not differ [3]. This is a response to muscle damage, not a test of defense against infection.

A meta-analysis of 103 randomized trials (7,216 participants) rated the evidence for a change in the inflammatory marker CRP as high, but pointed to limitations in the methodological quality of the individual studies [4].

What this means in practice

The available data show changes in individual inflammatory markers and, in one trial, fewer days with cold symptoms. Whether curcumin supports immune defense cannot be reliably derived from this. EFSA has assessed one health claim on curcumin (joint function) and found no established cause-and-effect relationship [5]. Health statements on immune defense are not substantiated for curcumin. Curcumin does not replace vaccinations or medical treatment.

Limits of the statement

This answer describes the state of research and contains no dosage recommendation. Many findings come from cell and animal experiments. Human studies are small, short and use different preparations. In case of immune deficiency, autoimmune disease or medication, please consult a doctor.

Common follow-up questions

There is a single randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 99 healthy Japanese adults: with 150 mg/day of highly bioavailable curcumin for 12 weeks, the total number of days with common cold symptoms was lower than with placebo, and no adverse effects were observed (Kuwabara et al., 2023) DOI. Confirmatory studies are so far lacking.

It depends on what is measured. In a meta-analysis, the reduction of the inflammation marker CRP with curcuminoids was seen in trials using bioavailability-improved preparations and lasting at least 4 weeks, but not in trials without these features (Sahebkar, 2013) DOI. In a 12-week trial with 150 mg/day of highly bioavailable curcumin, days with common cold symptoms were fewer than with placebo (Kuwabara et al., 2023) DOI. A direct effect on the immune system is thus not shown.

For rheumatoid arthritis there are only pilot data: in a randomized study of 45 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis, the disease activity score (DAS28) improved with 500 mg curcumin, with diclofenac, and with the combination; the curcumin group showed the greatest improvement and no adverse events were reported (Chandran & Goel, 2012) DOI. The authors stress the need for larger trials. This does not say anything about autoimmune diseases in general; discuss any use with your doctor.

Read more

Want to dive deeper into the subject? Continue here:

  • Intake guide: Worth knowing about bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.
  • Safety check: A detailed look at safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: Answers to general questions about effects and application areas of the turmeric active ingredient.
  • Joint focus: The role of inflammatory processes in osteoarthritis and joint complaints.

References

  • [1] Jagetia, G. C. & Aggarwal, B. B. (2007). "Spicing up" of the immune system by curcumin. Journal of Clinical Immunology. DOI: 10.1007/s10875-006-9066-7
  • [2] Kuwabara, Y. et al. (2024). Effects of Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Supplementation on Common Cold Symptoms and Immune and Inflammatory Functions in Healthy Japanese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Study. Journal of Dietary Supplements. DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2023.2185723
  • [3] McFarlin, B. K. et al. (2016). Reduced inflammatory and muscle damage biomarkers following oral supplementation with bioavailable curcumin. BBA Clinical. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbacli.2016.02.003
  • [4] Jafari, A. et al. (2024). Curcumin on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 103 Randomized Controlled Trials. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8340
  • [5] EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2017). Curcumin and normal functioning of joints: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4774

In lab experiments, piperine from black pepper inhibits pathways that break down curcumin. In one small study this raised curcumin absorption by 2000% [2]; a later crossover study found no significant difference [4]. Drug interactions are possible [7].

Turmeric & pepper
  • Piperine inhibits breakdown pathways: glucuronidation [2]; selectively CYP3A in the lab [3]
  • Small study, +2000%: 8 healthy volunteers, single dose of 2 g curcumin + 20 mg piperine [2]
  • Not consistently confirmed: no significant difference from a standard extract in a crossover study [4]
  • Interactions possible: talk to a professional if you take medication [7][8]

What lies behind it

Curcumin is poorly absorbed after eating, mainly because it is broken down quickly and eliminated rapidly [1]. Piperine, the pungent compound of black pepper (Piper nigrum), is regarded as an inhibitor of glucuronidation in the liver and gut wall, one of these breakdown routes [2]. Laboratory experiments with human enzymes also show that piperine inhibits the enzyme CYP3A relatively selectively, whereas curcuminoids inhibit several enzymes, including sulfotransferases, UGT and CYP2C9 [3]. You can find more on formulations in the bioavailability hub.

What the sources show

In the study by Shoba et al., healthy volunteers received 2 g of curcumin. Alone, serum levels were undetectable or very low; together with 20 mg of piperine they were clearly higher, and bioavailability rose by 2000%. In rats the increase was 154% [2]. It was a small single-dose study, and no adverse effects were reported under those conditions [2].

The picture later became less clear-cut: in a crossover study with 30 healthy people (single doses of different products), there was no significant difference in absorption between a piperine-curcuminoid combination (1515 mg) and a standard extract (1500 mg) [4]. Other formulations without piperine increased curcuminoid absorption 1.3- to 45.9-fold compared with unformulated curcumin in a study of healthy volunteers [5].

On interactions: eight healthy volunteers received 4 g of curcuminoids plus 24 mg of piperine four times over two days. This had no meaningful effect on blood levels of the test drugs midazolam, flurbiprofen and paracetamol; the authors consider a clinically significant interaction with short-term use unlikely [6]. In breast cancer patients taking tamoxifen, curcumin (1200 mg three times daily) together with piperine (10 mg three times daily) lowered endoxifen exposure by 12.4% (p = 0.02); curcumin alone lowered it by 7.7% (p = 0.07) [7]. A perspective article describes that piperine can change the concentrations of co-administered drugs by inhibiting CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and P-glycoprotein [8].

What this means in practice

Piperine raised curcumin absorption in some studies but not in others. The study doses were extracts in the gram range, not usual kitchen amounts of spice. If you take medication regularly, discuss piperine-containing products with your doctor or pharmacist beforehand, especially for drugs with a narrow therapeutic range [7][8].

Limits of this statement

The 2000% comes from a single small study with single doses in healthy volunteers and was not confirmed in a later crossover study [2][4]. The interaction data come from small studies with few participants, partly in patients [6][7]. Data on daily long-term intake of piperine-containing curcumin products were not found in the sources reviewed. Absorption studies do not allow conclusions about health effects of curcumin.

Frequently asked follow-up questions

In a small study in healthy volunteers, serum curcumin after 2 g curcumin alone was undetectable or very low; with 20 mg piperine added, levels rose markedly and bioavailability was increased by 2000% (Shoba et al., 1998) DOI. This is a single finding with isolated piperine and a high curcumin dose, not a statement about pepper as a spice or about other products.

That is not backed by studies. The 2000% higher bioavailability comes from a study in which healthy volunteers received 20 mg of isolated piperine together with 2 g curcumin (Shoba et al., 1998) DOI. A review points out that isolated piperine in supplements, unlike pepper used as a spice, is ingested in concentrated form as a bolus, and that potential risks, above all drug interactions, should be considered (Ziegenhagen et al., 2021) DOI. Whether extra seasoning with pepper has the same effect was not examined in these sources.

Possibly. In laboratory tests with human enzymes, curcuminoids inhibited several drug-metabolising enzymes (including CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP3A, UGT and SULT), and piperine selectively inhibited CYP3A; inhibition is predicted mainly in the intestinal mucosa (Volak et al., 2008) DOI. For piperine, a review describes interactions with several drugs, mostly increasing drug availability (Ziegenhagen et al., 2021) DOI. The laboratory study does not show how relevant this is in people. If you take medication, talk to your doctor first.

Read further

Want to go deeper into the subject? Here's where to continue:

  • Intake guide: Worth knowing about bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.
  • Safety check: A detailed look at safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: Answers to general questions about effects and areas of use of the active ingredient in turmeric.

References

  • [1] Hewlings, S. J. & Kalman, D. S. (2017). Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health. Foods. DOI: 10.3390/foods6100092
  • [2] Shoba, G. et al. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957450
  • [3] Volak, L. P. et al. (2008). Curcuminoids inhibit multiple human cytochromes P450, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, and sulfotransferase enzymes, whereas piperine is a relatively selective CYP3A4 inhibitor. Drug Metabolism and Disposition. DOI: 10.1124/dmd.108.020552
  • [4] Fança-Berthon, P. et al. (2021). Pharmacokinetics of a single dose of turmeric curcuminoids depends on formulation: results of a human crossover study. The Journal of Nutrition. DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxab087
  • [5] Jäger, R. et al. (2014). Comparative absorption of curcumin formulations. Nutrition Journal. DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-13-11
  • [6] Volak, L. P. et al. (2013). Effect of a herbal extract containing curcumin and piperine on midazolam, flurbiprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04364.x
  • [7] Hussaarts, K. G. A. M. et al. (2019). Impact of curcumin (with or without piperine) on the pharmacokinetics of tamoxifen. Cancers. DOI: 10.3390/cancers11030403
  • [8] Kaneko, M. (2026). Enhancement without a rationale? Black pepper extract (piperine) in dietary supplements and the future of formulation: a perspective from Japan. Frontiers in Nutrition. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1981406

So far, mainly blood lipids and inflammatory markers have been studied, not heart attacks or blood pressure. Results are inconsistent [2–5]; in coronary artery disease there was no difference from placebo [5]. Discuss with a doctor first if you take anticoagulants [7, 8].

In short
  • Laboratory values (blood lipids, inflammatory markers) were studied, not heart attacks or blood pressure [2–5]
  • Triglycerides lower, LDL cholesterol unchanged in the meta-analysis [2]
  • No difference from placebo in coronary artery disease [5]
  • Possible interaction with anticoagulants [7, 8]
  • Curcumin does not replace medical therapy

What's behind it

Cardiovascular diseases depend on many factors, including inflammation, oxidative stress and blood lipid levels. In mouse studies, curcumin was associated with smaller atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta and with lower blood lipids and inflammatory markers [1]. These data do not show whether this carries over to humans.

What the sources show

A meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials with 1,427 participants found lower triglycerides (−21.4 mg/dL) and slightly higher HDL cholesterol (+1.4 mg/dL) with curcuminoids. LDL and total cholesterol did not change significantly [2].

For the inflammatory marker CRP, a meta-analysis of six trials reported lower values on average with curcuminoids; the effect appeared only with bioavailability-enhanced preparations and with durations of four weeks or more [3]. In a placebo-controlled trial with 117 people with metabolic syndrome, CRP and MDA (a marker of oxidative stress) were lower than with placebo after 8 weeks of 1 g curcuminoids plus 10 mg piperine daily [4].

The picture is different in people with coronary artery disease: in a pilot trial with 33 patients (2 g curcumin daily, 8 weeks), triglycerides, LDL and VLDL cholesterol fell compared with baseline, but there was no significant difference from placebo. hs-CRP did not change [5].

All of these studies measure laboratory values, not heart attacks, heart failure or blood pressure.

What this means in practice

The data are inconsistent and do not allow the statement that curcumin affects the cardiovascular system. EFSA has assessed one health claim on curcumin (joint function) and found no established cause-and-effect relationship [6]. No health claims on cardiovascular effects are substantiated for curcumin.

A review describes antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity of curcumin [7]; a case report describes an elevated INR in a person taking a vitamin K antagonist (fluindione) together with turmeric [8]. Anyone taking anticoagulants or other heart medication should discuss curcumin supplements with a doctor beforehand.

Limits of the statement

This answer describes the state of research and gives no dosage recommendation. The studies are small, short (8 weeks) and use different formulations, some with piperine. The information on interactions comes from a review article and a single case. This answer does not replace medical advice.

Common follow-up questions

The evidence is limited. In a small pilot trial of 33 people with coronary artery disease (2 g curcumin daily for 8 weeks), there was no difference from placebo in blood lipids, blood glucose or hs-CRP (Mirzabeigi et al., 2015) PMID 25901155. A review sees results on clinical cardiovascular endpoints only from a few short studies around surgery or acute coronary syndrome (Zolnik et al., 2026) DOI. Talk to your doctor before taking it.

That is not established. A single trial of 121 bypass surgery patients found fewer in-hospital heart attacks (13.1 % versus 30.0 % with placebo) with 4 g curcuminoids daily around the operation (Wongcharoen et al., 2012) DOI. A trial in unstable angina (80 mg nanocurcumin, 5 days) showed no effect on complications (Dastani et al., 2019) PMID 30788273. Prevention in everyday life cannot be derived from this.

A meta-analysis of 11 randomized trials with 734 participants found no significant overall effect of curcumin or turmeric on systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Only in trials lasting at least 12 weeks was a small reduction in systolic pressure of about 1.2 mmHg seen (Hadi et al., 2019) DOI. If you take blood pressure medication, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Doses differed widely: 1 g curcuminoids plus 10 mg piperine daily for 8 weeks in metabolic syndrome (Panahi et al., 2015) DOI, 2 g curcumin daily (4 × 500 mg) for 8 weeks in coronary artery disease (Mirzabeigi et al., 2015) PMID 25901155, 4 g curcuminoids daily around bypass surgery (Wongcharoen et al., 2012) DOI, and 80 mg nanocurcumin daily for 5 days in unstable angina (Dastani et al., 2019) PMID 30788273. These are described study doses, not recommendations.

According to the NIH database LactMed, turmeric may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking warfarin or antiplatelet drugs (LactMed, 2025) PMID 30000906. A review describes anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities of curcumin (Keihanian et al., 2018) DOI. In one clinical study, bleeding time and INR did not change after 10 days of a curcumin product in patients taking antiplatelet drugs or warfarin (Hu et al., 2018) DOI. Discuss turmeric supplements with your doctor beforehand.

Hardly. A randomized trial in 40 people with unstable angina recorded progression to heart failure, among other things: nanocurcumin (80 mg daily for 5 days) had no effect on arrhythmias or echocardiographic parameters (Dastani et al., 2019) PMID 30788273. There are no studies in people with established heart failure.

Read more

  • Safety check: Safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: General questions about the investigated application areas.
  • Intake guide: Bioavailability, formulations and the role of bioenhancers.

References

  • [1] Lin, K. et al. (2020). Efficacy of Curcumin on Aortic Atherosclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Mouse Studies and Insights into Possible Mechanisms. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. DOI: 10.1155/2020/1520747
  • [2] Simental-Mendía, L. E. et al. (2019). Lipid-modifying activity of curcuminoids: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2017.1396201
  • [3] Sahebkar, A. (2014). Are curcuminoids effective C-reactive protein-lowering agents in clinical practice? Evidence from a meta-analysis. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5045
  • [4] Panahi, Y. et al. (2015). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoid-piperine combination in subjects with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial and an updated meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2014.12.019
  • [5] Mirzabeigi, P. et al. (2015). The Effect of Curcumin on some of Traditional and Non-traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Pilot Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. PMID: 25901155
  • [6] EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2017). Curcumin and normal functioning of joints: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal. DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4774
  • [7] Keihanian, F. et al. (2018). Curcumin, hemostasis, thrombosis, and coagulation. Journal of Cellular Physiology. DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26249
  • [8] Daveluy, A. et al. (2014). Probable interaction between an oral vitamin K antagonist and turmeric (Curcuma longa). Thérapie. DOI: 10.2515/therapie/2014062

In the lab, piperine inhibited P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 [1]. In a small study of eight healthy people it raised curcumin bioavailability by 2000 % [2]. Whether it affects medicines in humans is shown inconsistently [3, 4].

Piperine effects
  • Main alkaloid of black pepper [5]
  • Inhibited P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 in the lab [1]
  • Curcumin bioavailability 2000 % higher in eight healthy people [2]
  • Drug effects in humans inconsistent [3, 4]
  • Discuss with a doctor beforehand if you take medication

What's behind it

Piperine is the alkaloid responsible for the pungent taste of black pepper (Piper nigrum); according to a review, pepper contains about 2–7.4 % of it [5]. Its best-studied property is its effect on drug transporters and enzymes: in laboratory experiments piperine inhibited the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein in cell cultures (Caco-2) and the enzyme CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes [1]. Both systems influence how much of a substance passes from the gut into the blood and how quickly it is broken down.

What the sources show

The best-known curcumin study is Shoba et al. (1998): in eight healthy volunteers, curcumin blood levels after 2 g of curcumin alone were very low or undetectable; with 20 mg of piperine, bioavailability was 2000 % higher. In rats the increase was 154 % [2]. This is a very small single study, and the authors attribute the effect to inhibition of glucuronidation in liver and gut.

Whether piperine also affects medicines in humans is shown inconsistently. In a study with 20 healthy volunteers, three days of pretreatment with 15 mg piperine daily lengthened the half-life of the sedative midazolam (a CYP3A substrate) and lowered its clearance compared with placebo; sedation lasted longer [3]. In a crossover study with eight healthy people, by contrast, a curcuminoid–piperine preparation (4 g curcuminoids plus 24 mg piperine, four times over two days) did not meaningfully change the pharmacokinetics of midazolam, flurbiprofen or paracetamol [4].

For anti-inflammatory and other effects, a review describes findings from in vitro and in vivo experiments (cell and animal studies), including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [5].

What this means in practice

Piperine can change the absorption of other substances in combination; this is why it is used in curcumin products. Because it can inhibit drug-metabolizing enzymes [1, 3], people who take medication regularly should discuss piperine-containing supplements with a doctor or pharmacist first. As shown above, the data on real-world relevance in humans are mixed [3, 4].

Limits of the statement

This answer describes research results and gives no dosage recommendation. The human studies are small and use different doses and durations. For anti-inflammatory effects, the data come mostly from cell and animal experiments. This answer does not replace medical advice.

Common follow-up questions

In a study of healthy volunteers, serum curcumin levels after 2 g curcumin alone were undetectable or very low; with 20 mg piperine added, bioavailability increased by 2000%. In rats, the increase was 154% (Shoba et al., 1998) DOI. This was a single dose in a small study; it does not show how large the effect is with long-term intake.

In a study with 6 healthy volunteers per drug, piperine (20 mg daily for 7 days) increased blood levels of propranolol and theophylline (Bano et al., 1991) DOI. In the lab, piperine strongly inhibited CYP3A4 and more weakly CYP2C9 (Shamsi et al., 2017) DOI; however, a curcuminoid-piperine preparation over 2 days did not meaningfully change midazolam, flurbiprofen or paracetamol in 8 healthy people (Volak et al., 2012) DOI. Anticoagulant and antiplatelet activity has been described for curcumin (Keihanian et al., 2017) DOI. If you take regular medication, talk to your doctor.

Reviews describe anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions of piperine as possible mechanisms and point to clinical trials that are still at various stages (Yadav et al., 2022) DOI. The best-documented application is enhancing the uptake of other substances: with 20 mg piperine, curcumin bioavailability in humans was 2000% higher (Shoba et al., 1998) DOI.

Read more

Want to dive deeper into the subject? Continue here:

  • Safety check: A detailed look at safety, interactions and potential risks.
  • Effects overview: Answers to general questions about effects and application areas of the turmeric active ingredient.
  • Intake guide: Worth knowing about bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.

References

  • [1] Bhardwaj, R. K. et al. (2002). Piperine, a major constituent of black pepper, inhibits human P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. DOI: 10.1124/jpet.102.034728
  • [2] Shoba, G. et al. (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957450
  • [3] Rezaee, M. M. et al. (2014). The effect of piperine on midazolam plasma concentration in healthy volunteers, a research on the CYP3A-involving metabolism. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. DOI: 10.1186/2008-2231-22-8
  • [4] Volak, L. P. et al. (2013). Effect of a herbal extract containing curcumin and piperine on midazolam, flurbiprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04364.x
  • [5] Haq, I. U. et al. (2021). Piperine: A review of its biological effects. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6855

For the skin there are mainly laboratory findings [1, 2]; clinical studies are small and inconsistent [6]. The sources do not show whether kitchen powder affects the skin. Contact allergy has been reported with topical use [11, 12].

In short
  • Cell experiments: curcumin dampened UVB-induced enzyme production in skin fibroblasts [1]
  • Human studies: 10 of 18 with significant improvement, limited evidence [6]
  • Some individual studies showed no effect [8, 9, 10]
  • Contact allergy reported with topical use [11, 12]
  • Curcumin does not replace dermatological treatment

What's behind it

The question covers two forms of use: eating the spice and applying curcumin preparations. In cell cultures of human skin fibroblasts, curcumin inhibited the production of collagen-degrading enzymes (MMP-1 and MMP-3) and the formation of reactive oxygen species after UVB irradiation [1]. In other fibroblast experiments, low-dose curcumin first induced mild oxidative stress and then cellular protective responses (heme oxygenase-1, Nrf2) [2]. A review summarizes laboratory and clinical findings on skin disorders and names low oral bioavailability as a central limitation [3]. After a single oral dose of 10 or 12 g curcumin in 12 healthy volunteers, free curcumin was detectable in serum in only one person, whereas conjugates (glucuronides, sulfates) were found in all [4].

What the sources show

Wound healing: A review describes that curcumin dampened inflammation and oxidation in wounds and promoted granulation tissue, collagen deposition and wound contraction. The formulation of the topical application is described as decisive [5].

Clinical studies: A systematic review found 18 human studies (nine oral, eight topical, one both). In ten of them, the skin condition improved significantly more in the curcumin group than in the control group. The authors speak of early evidence with a limited body of studies [6].

Individual studies: In 63 people with mild-to-moderate psoriasis, the PASI score fell more with topical steroids plus 2 g curcumin (Meriva) daily for 12 weeks than with steroids alone; serum IL-22 also fell [7]. An open-label study without placebo using 4.5 g curcuminoids daily reached a response rate of only 16.7 % [8]. In vitiligo (10 people), tetrahydrocurcuminoid cream plus UVB light was not significantly better than UVB alone [9]. In 686 breast cancer patients, oral curcumin (four 500-mg capsules, three times daily) did not significantly reduce the severity of radiation dermatitis [10].

Tolerability: Case reports describe contact dermatitis from turmeric or curcumin, for example after use of a massage oil [11, 12]. Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric [5].

What this means in practice

The findings concern isolated curcumin and defined preparations, not kitchen powder. The sources do not show whether turmeric powder affects the skin. According to case reports, applying turmeric to the skin can cause contact allergy. With sensitive skin, skin conditions or medication, please consult a doctor. Curcumin does not replace dermatological treatment.

Limits of the statement

Many data come from cell experiments. Human studies are small, inconsistent in preparation and dose, and partly without placebo. The statements on contact allergy rest on single case reports. This answer contains no dosage recommendation.

Common follow-up questions

We could not find a study on this. Allergic contact reactions to curcumin (turmeric) have been described (Hata et al., 1997) DOI, so caution is advisable; try a product on a small patch of skin first. The systematic review on turmeric and skin evaluated studies in skin diseases and describes the evidence as limited (Vaughn et al., 2016) DOI; no face-mask study is mentioned there.

In the lab, curcumin in a microemulsion reduced UVB-induced cell damage in epidermal cells (Greenwald et al., 2017) DOI. Whether it reduces visible wrinkles in humans is not shown by this study; a systematic review describes the clinical evidence for skin health overall as early and limited (Vaughn et al., 2016) DOI.

We found no study that investigated how long turmeric discolors the skin yellow: searches in OpenAlex and Europe PMC returned no matching results. We therefore cannot give evidence-based time frames. If your skin reacts with irritation, stop using it and talk to your doctor.

A systematic review (18 studies) lists acne and psoriasis among the skin conditions examined; ten studies reported significant improvement versus control, but the authors speak only of early evidence and limited studies (Vaughn et al., 2016) DOI. In an open-label phase II trial of oral curcumin (4.5 g/day) in psoriasis, the response rate was 16.7%; the sample was small and there was no placebo group (Kurd et al., 2008) DOI. Treatment decisions belong in medical hands.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 686 breast cancer patients (four 500-mg capsules three times daily during radiotherapy), curcumin did not significantly reduce radiation dermatitis severity at the end of therapy compared with placebo (Wolf et al., 2018) DOI. Discuss skin protection during radiotherapy with your treatment team.

Read more

  • Safety check: Safety, interactions and potential risks, including for the skin.
  • Effects overview: General questions about application areas of the turmeric active ingredient.
  • Intake guide: Bioavailability, modern formulations and the role of bioenhancers.
  • Joint focus: The role of inflammatory processes in osteoarthritis and joint complaints.

References

  • [1] Hwang, B. M. et al. (2013). Curcumin inhibits UVB-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1/3 expression by suppressing the MAPK-p38/JNK pathways in human dermal fibroblasts. Experimental Dermatology. DOI: 10.1111/exd.12137
  • [2] Lima, C. F., Pereira-Wilson, C. & Rattan, S. I. S. (2011). Curcumin induces heme oxygenase-1 in normal human skin fibroblasts through redox signaling: relevance for anti-aging intervention. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201000221
  • [3] Vollono, L. et al. (2019). Potential of Curcumin in Skin Disorders. Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu11092169
  • [4] Vareed, S. K. et al. (2008). Pharmacokinetics of curcumin conjugate metabolites in healthy human subjects. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-2693
  • [5] Akbik, D. et al. (2014). Curcumin as a wound healing agent. Life Sciences. DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2014.08.016
  • [6] Vaughn, A. R., Branum, A. & Sivamani, R. K. (2016). Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5640
  • [7] Antiga, E. et al. (2015). Oral Curcumin (Meriva) Is Effective as an Adjuvant Treatment and Is Able to Reduce IL-22 Serum Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris. BioMed Research International. DOI: 10.1155/2015/283634
  • [8] Kurd, S. K. et al. (2008). Oral curcumin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: A prospective clinical trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.12.035
  • [9] Asawanonda, P. & Klahan, S.-O. (2010). Tetrahydrocurcuminoid cream plus targeted narrowband UVB phototherapy for vitiligo: a preliminary randomized controlled study. Photomedicine and Laser Surgery. DOI: 10.1089/pho.2009.2637
  • [10] Ryan Wolf, J. et al. (2018). Oral curcumin for radiation dermatitis: a URCC NCORP study of 686 breast cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3957-4
  • [11] Lopez-Villafuerte, L. & Clores, K. H. (2016). Contact dermatitis caused by turmeric in a massage oil. Contact Dermatitis. DOI: 10.1111/cod.12549
  • [12] Hata, M. et al. (1997). Allergic contact dermatitis from curcumin (turmeric). Contact Dermatitis. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1997.tb00426.x