What is it used for?
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 3].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 4].
Used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion [Source note 5].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve flatulent dyspepsia (carminative) [Source note 6].
Used in Herbal Medicine as a hepatoprotectant/liver protectant [Source note 7].
Used in Herbal Medicine to increase bile excretion by the liver (choleretic) and stimulate contraction of the gallbladder (cholagogue) [Source note 8].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine (as an anti-inflammatory) to help relieve joint pain [Source note 9].
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to eliminate blood stasis, promote the flow of qi, relieve pain of menstruation due to blood stasis [Source note 10].
Notes:
The above claims can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g. Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve flatulent dyspepsia (carminative) and to help relieve joint pain).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine," any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g. Turmeric is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve flatulent dyspepsia (carminative)).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
What this guide covers
As enhanced absorption formulations are often used for Turmeric, this is a reminder that enhanced absorption dosage forms/formulations are not covered by Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate's references and should be submitted as Class III submissions with supporting evidence.
this reference supports native extracts of Turmeric rhizome (also termed crude or genuine extracts). The traditional references and herbal medicine textbooks used to build this reference support the use of native extracts with a maximum extract ratio of 10:1 (dry extracts) or 1:10 (liquid extracts). It should be noted that the ‘Concentrated Turmeric extracts and isolates (curcuminoids/curcumin)’ reference supports concentrated extracts containing ≥ 75% curcuminoids based on non-traditional methods of preparation and modern scientific evidence.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral [Source note 2]
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Note: ‘decoction’ or ‘infusion’ is listed as an acceptable method of preparation, ‘decoction concentrate’ or ‘infusion concentrate’ is also allowed. This would also apply to standardized methods of preparations.
Antioxidant
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)
Not to exceed 9 grams of dried rhizome, per day; For dry extracts, maximum ratio is 10:1 [Source note 11].
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Methods of preparation: Standardized Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)
Extract providing up to 35% Curcuminoids; Quantity crude equivalent: not to exceed 9 grams of dried rhizome, per day [Source note 12].
Note: Optional: The potency constituent, curcumin, can be included.
Digestive aid; Relief of flatulent dyspepsia; Hepatoprotectant; Bile excretion; Joint pain
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)
1 - 9 grams of dried rhizome, per day; For dry extracts, maximum ratio is 10:1 [Source note 13].
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
Methods of preparation: Standardized Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Infusion)
Extract providing up to 35% Curcuminoids; Quantity crude equivalent: 1-9 grams of dried rhizome, per day [Source note 14].
Note: Optional: The potency constituent, curcumin, can be included.
TCM
Methods of preparation: Decoction, Decoction concentrate
3 - 9 grams of dried rhizome, per day; For dry extracts, maximum ratio is 10:1 [Source note 15].
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
No statement is required.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding [Source note 16].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have a liver or biliary disorder [Source note 17].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking medications [Source note 18].
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if you experience any new symptoms including yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain [Source note 19].
All uses except for Source of antioxidants and Hepatoprotectant
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source Information / Source material(s) | Source Information / Part(s) | Source Information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curcuma longa |
| Curcuma longa | Rhizome | Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2023; Common names: USDA 2023; PPRC 2020; McGuffin et al. 2000; Source information: PPRC 2020; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- September 26, 2025
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.