Categories: Recipe

Can Turmeric Help Fight Eczema?

Published by
James marcus

Although there is limited research on turmeric and eczema, some people may still choose to use it.

Turmeric is generally recognized as safe to consume by the Food and Drug Administration. However, it may also be used topically. Some people may have used turmeric intravenously, but this route has led to serious reactions, including death (8).

Food and supplements

There is extensive research on the health effects of consuming turmeric.

It’s generally recognized as safe, and curcumin has been shown to have no adverse health effects in healthy people when taken in doses of up to 12,000 mg per day (9).

Still, keep in mind that the curcumin in turmeric has low bioavailability. Therefore, consuming ground turmeric may not provide a therapeutic dose (9, 10).

While some studies report finding little to no curcumin in the bloodstream after ingestion, especially in doses below 4,000 mg, curcumin may still provide beneficial effects (10, 11).

Another study detected curcumin in the blood more easily by using an alternate testing method (12).

Adding black pepper to turmeric dishes and supplements may help as well, as this spice contains a compound known as piperine, which can increase the absorption of curcumin. Still, it’s unknown how much curcumin might reach your skin (9, 10).

Dietary fats, water-soluble carriers, volatile oils, and antioxidants may also enhance the absorption of curcumin, according to some research (12).

Finally, the side effects of excessive turmeric intake may include skin rash, headache, nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, and yellow stools (11).

Topical application

Due to turmeric’s popularity, many cosmetic companies use it as an ingredient in their products.

In studies on other skin conditions, topically applying turmeric-containing products allows for adequate absorption of curcumin (4, 9).

However, these products are specifically formulated for enhanced absorption, and applying pure turmeric to your skin will not have the same effects (4, 9).

Moreover, the spice contains a strong yellow pigment shown to stain the skin, which most people likely find undesirable (4).

Although more research is needed, topical products containing the spice’s active ingredients appear to be safe for use. Speak to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Intravenous

Due to turmeric’s low bioavailability, there is an increasingly popular trend among natural healthcare professionals to provide it intravenously.

By bypassing digestion, the curcumin from the turmeric spice enters the blood supply more easily, providing a substantially higher dosage (13).

However, there is little research in this area, and major complications have been observed. In fact, a 2018 report found that intravenous turmeric for the treatment of eczema caused the death of a 31-year-old woman (14).

Even with small doses, this type of intravenous treatment may cause unwanted side effects, such as headache, nausea, upset stomach, constipation, and diarrhea (15).

Safety in children

Given eczema’s prevalence among children, many adults are looking for safe, natural remedies for their children.

The use of ground turmeric in food is generally recognized as safe for both adults and children (8).

However, there have been reports of lead poisoning from ground turmeric and supplements due to lead chromate, which is added to enhance the yellow color. This is most commonly associated with turmeric sourced from India and Bangladesh (16).

Furthermore, supplementing with this spice is usually studied in adults, so it’s unknown whether it’s safe for children.

Finally, it’s best to speak with a dermatologist or other healthcare professional before trying turmeric products for the treatment of eczema.

summary

Ground, supplemental, and topical turmeric are generally recognized as safe. However, intravenous treatment with the spice has been associated with serious side effects and death and should be avoided.

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

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Published by
James marcus

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