Turmeric is a spice that's used extensively in Indian cooking and is gaining popularity in the West. It's an important ingredient in curries, but also used to make tea and even ice cream.
If you're not sure how much turmeric juice per day, then read on for some ideas about dosages. We've included a table at the end of this article to help with conversions from metric measurements to ounces, teaspoons, tablespoons and milliliters.
Here's how much turmeric is safe to take.
What Is The Recommended Dosage For Turmeric?
This herb has been used for thousands of years, but only recently have scientists begun to study the powerful effects of turmeric on the body. The primary active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which is thought to be responsible for most of its positive health effects.
A human study found that 1 gram of curcumin has a plasma half-life of 6.5 hours.
1 gram therefore means you can take this amount every 6.5 hours, so if you like to consume curcumin in the form of a supplement (which is far more effective), then this would mean taking 2 grams daily.
There are many dosages for turmeric on the market. We can't just take one and build up to more per day gradually as they vary considerably. There is no official "maximum" dosage, but curcumin is generally regarded as having a safe upper limit of 5 grams per day – which equates to 30 grams per week or 60 grams in three months.
The safety studies that have been done with humans to date have all used doses of 1 gram of curcumin per day.
The typical dosage range that is often suggested is 500-2,000 mg of curcumin daily. So, we've included some dosage suggestions in the table below.
How Much Turmeric Should You Take?
(our table below is a guide to conversion from metrics to ounces, teaspoons, tablespoons and milliliters)
Conversion Table From Metric Measurements To Ounces Measure Value in grams Ounces Value in milliliters 1 g 600 mg 1 ml 6.25 ml 1 g 100 mg 15 ml 30 ml 1 g 200 mg 30 ml 60 ml 3.2 g 507.5 mg 120.5 ml 2.25 tbsp 57.5 mg 150 ml 3 tbsp 113 mg 225 ml 6.25 tsp 57 mg 150 ml 1/4 tsp 5.8 mg 15 ml 1/2 tsp 11.5 mg 24.5 ml 3 tsp 113 mg 225 milliliters (mL) 6.25 tbsp 57.5 mg 150 ml 2.25 tbsp 57.5 mg 150 ml 3 tbsp 113 mg 225 milliliters (mL) 6.25 tsp 57 mg 150 ml 2.25 tsp 57 mg 150 ml 1/4 tsp 5.8 milliliters (mL)
The complete safety of turmeric is still a matter of discussion for many health professionals, although the FDA states that the herb is "generally regarded as safe.
How to Take High Dosages of Turmeric
The best way to take the herb, as with any supplement, is in capsule form. You can see that taking curcumin in a powdered form would be too hard on the stomach and cause unpleasant side effects – one reason why many people stay away from taking it as a supplement at all. Although turmeric can be used in cooking, it's not a spice that you would use readily without adding fresh ingredients and spices.
Therefore, look for a well-known brand with an excellent reputation.
Although we do get some recommendations on the site, these are supplied by visitors and not verified by us health professionals.
For those who are concerned about taking the maximum dose of curcumin a day, you can gradually build up to it over a few weeks by taking a small amount three times daily.
It is possible to take turmeric throughout the day as long as you take it after your meal as suggested (1 hour before or 2 hours after is fine).
However, again, this is not recommended due to possible stomach irritation.
It's questioned whether loading your stomach with turmeric can help the body make more curcumin, although this is thought to be unlikely. You'd have to take it for a long time to see if any changes took place.
The body is quite capable of producing its own curcumin and doing all the healing work on its own. A lot of other herbs are not used in food because they're too difficult to digest or have unpleasant side effects.
Precautions with Turmeric
There are no known contraindications or adverse effects associated with turmeric. It should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have the following conditions:
Do not take turmeric if you are allergic to it (or Curcuma longa) or curcumin. If you're unsure, talk to your doctor first.
Possible Side Effects of Turmeric
Although turmeric is generally safe to use, it may cause some side effects in the body. The most common complaints are:
Diarrhea
Stomach upset or nausea especially after taking a large amount of the herb. It's best to take it with food and you can gradually build up your dosage over time to minimize any side effects. The FDA states that curcumin is "generally regarded as safe.
Drug Interactions with Turmeric
If you're taking any of the following drugs or herbs, caution is advised:
Herbs that may help with inflammation (like turmeric) should be used cautiously in people taking anti-inflammatory pain relievers (NSAIDs) because of the chance of an increase in stomach bleeding and heart damage.
These include:
Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil); Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren), celecoxib (Celebrex), and others; Natural supplements like ginger, garlic and chamomile.
Chronic alcohol consumption (intake of more than 3 glasses a week) has been reported to increase the risk of stomach bleeding and liver damage.
Turmeric & Weight Loss
Although turmeric is commonly used for weight loss, there are no studies that prove this claim. It's thought that by promoting digestion and elimination, you may experience a "slimming" effect. However, this is generally regarded as a myth.
If you are considering taking the herb as a weight loss aid, it's recommended to do your own research as it is not known to be very effective.
Turmeric & Heart Health
Although it has been estimated that curcumin could reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 60%, there's no definitive proof at present. However, turmeric has been shown to improve health in those with coronary heart disease and arthritis symptoms, so it's certainly worth a try.
Read more: Some fresh turmeric juice benefits