Dosages and Applications of Turmeric

Daniel Mowrey recommends: “Taken by itself, one 300 mg capsule at each meal or at two of three meals per day is sufficient. Combined with other herbs anywhere from 50 mg to 150 mg is sufficient. (28)

Dr. Duke’s recommendation on “how to take it and how much” is as follows: “I’m all for enjoying turmeric in fabulous food. One of the most palatable approaches to treating arthritis, for example is with curries—as long as you really load on the turmeric. I like turmeric a lot, but I don’t want to eat it every day. For most people it’s easiest to take the main active ingredient, curcumin, in supplements. I recommend taking 1,200 milligrams daily, divided into three doses. You can buy capsules that contain 400 to 450 milligrams.” (13)

Christopher Hobbs comments as follows: “Turmeric can be purchased in powder form to be used for cooking or encapsulating, but I prefer the whole rhizome or at least the cut and sifted herb. This herb is included in many Ayurvedic patent formulas, and, increasingly, in Western formulas both in Europe and the United States for liver and digestive ailments. The average therapeutic dose of the tincture is 1 – 3 dropperfuls 2 to 3 times daily in tea or warm water. Of the powdered extract, take 60 to 300 mg. Of the powder take 0.5 to 1.5 grams 2 – 3 times daily.

Mark Pederson gives the “typical daily usage” as follows:

Fresh herb: 3 – 5 gm

Dried herb: 0.3 – 0.5 gm

Extract: 0.4 gm dried herb, 2 ml alcohol, 2 ml water

For eliminating harmful bowel bacteria, Hulda Clark recommends 2 capsules 3 times per day of turmeric “which I find helps against Shigella, as well as E. coli. Expect orange colored stool.”

Michael Tierra gives the dose as 3 to 9 grams. I assume this is the daily dose and that he means turmeric root powder because this is the form of turmeric, which he refers to in his narrative. (40) In another book, he recommends a teaspoon of turmeric powder added along with a teaspoon of almond oil to a cup of warm milk to be taken once or twice daily for such things as improved circulation, regulation of menstrual cycle, reducing fevers, nosebleed, stretching ligaments, and curing menstrual cramps. (39)

Michael Murray recommends that “turmeric should be consumed liberally in the diet. When specific medicinal effects are desired, higher doses of turmeric can be given or extracts of Curcuma longa or curcumin can be used. The recommended dosage for curcumin as an anti-inflammatory is 400 to 600 milligrams three times per day. To achieve a similar amount of curcumin in the form of turmeric would require a dosage of 8,000 to 60,000 milligrams three times a day. Because the absorption of orally administered curcumin may be limited, curcumin is often formulated in conjunction with an equal amount of bomelain which may possibly enhance absorption. In addition, bromelain also has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Providing curcumin in a lipid base such as lecithin, fish oils, or essential fatty acids may also increase absorption. This combination is probably best absorbed when taken with meals.” (30)

Michael Castleman recommends: “For an infusion to help aid digestion and possibly to promote heart health, use 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder per cup of warm milk. Drink up to 3 cups a day. These infusions may also offer a measure of protection to the liver and help ease the inflammation of arthritis. Turmeric tastes pleasantly aromatic, but in large amounts it becomes somewhat bitter. Medicinal turmeric preparations should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.”

Essential oil is anti-fungal at a dilution of 1 to 500. (11)

“To stop conception, 10-15 g turmeric powder is given with water for 5 days after menstruation and repeated for 6 consecutive cycles. Also borax water (100ml) is given to women for 5 days after each menstruation. (37)