Turmeric, which is a plant related to ginger, is grown in many Asian countries, as well as other tropical areas.

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Dear Mayo Clinic: I am a breast cancer survivor who still suffers from various aches and pains, including arthritis.

A friend told me that her arthritis pain improved after she started taking turmeric. Can you tell me more about this supplement? Is it something I can add into my diet to feel better?

[Ed. Note: Studies have shown that use of turmeric/curcumin decreases the effectiveness of some drugs used to treat breast cancer, including tamoxifen. Consult with your oncologist before taking any supplements.]

A: Turmeric is becoming a common spice in many home pantries, especially since people are hearing of its many purported health effects, including reducing inflammation.

Turmeric, which is a plant related to ginger, is grown in many Asian countries, as well as other tropical areas. It’s a major ingredient in curry powders — common in many Indian and Asian dishes — and is often used as a coloring for foods, fabrics and cosmetics.

The underground portions of the plant can be dried and made into capsules, tablets, extracts, powders or teas. Or they may be made into a paste to apply to the skin.

Turmeric’s main active component — curcumin — is what gives the spice its yellow color. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential treatment for a number of health conditions — including pain, asthma and decreased movement in people with osteoarthritis.

Other research suggests that curcumin may reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, it may lessen some of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint swelling and morning stiffness.

Other areas of investigation include curcumin’s effect on Crohn’s disease, certain cancers, depression, diabetes, joint pain and irritable bowel syndrome.

There are various studies looking at the benefits of turmeric, including several that showed turmeric to be just as effective as ibuprofen for reducing inflammation, swelling and pain. However, more research is necessary to confirm these effects.

Some concerns about supplements

Although there are supplements available, the data is not conclusive, and supplements are not regulated.

Additionally, like many plants, it is not just one component that may have a beneficial effect. Non-curcumin compounds, such as turmerin, turmerone, elemene, furanodiene, curdione, bisacurone, cyclocurcumin, calebin A and germacrone, also have been shown in animals to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

When taken by mouth or applied to the skin, turmeric — and the curcumin it contains — appears to be generally safe when limited to less than 8 grams a day.

That said, different amounts often are recommended depending on the health condition being addressed, and higher doses have been used for limited periods of time.

High doses or long-term use may cause gastrointestinal upset for some people — even damage to the liver.

Turmeric, or curcumin, may be a complementary therapy that is valuable for you. I would recommend that you discuss with your medical team using it as a complement to mainstream medical treatment.

You also should talk to your healthcare team about turmeric if you take an anticlotting medication or at any point require additional chemotherapy, as the supplement may interact with your medication.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. Email a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo.edu. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

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