Tumeric

[PTCMom]

Is turmeric in medicinal doses (500-1000mg) safe while breastfeeding?

[admin-james]

There is weak evidence supporting the use of turmeric or curcumin as an anti-inflammatory, an anti-oxidant, and an anti-coagulant. Topical curcumin is moderately more effective than placebo at reducing the symptoms of mild to moderate, non-infectious, lactational mastitis. We also know from other sources that turmeric is fairly non-toxic to healthy adults, even in high doses.

We give turmeric an intermediate safety rating in terms of its breastfeeding risk. This is largely due to a lack of quality studies in breastfeeding mothers. Depending on that you are using it for, there is probably a better-studied alternative available.

-James Abbey, MD