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When you hear people talking about turmeric, it may sound like there’s nothing this spice can’t do. Turmeric and its main active compound, curcumin, have been studied for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. You may wonder whether they could also help people living with epilepsy.
Researchers have asked a similar question. So far, most research on curcumin and seizures has been done in laboratory and animal studies. Current evidence doesn’t show that turmeric or curcumin can reliably prevent or control seizures.
Continue reading to learn more about turmeric and what the science says about whether it may help with seizure control.
Turmeric comes from the Curcuma longa plant, which is related to ginger. The spice is made from the plant’s underground stem, called a rhizome. Turmeric is commonly grown in India and Southeast Asia.
Turmeric has been used for cooking, cosmetics, and traditional medicine. You can find turmeric in foods cooked with curry powder, which is commonly used in Indian dishes. Turmeric has also been used in tea and drinks. The spice is available as a dietary supplement in tablets, capsules, powders, or gummies.
Curcumin is one of the main compounds in turmeric and gives the spice its yellow color. Many of turmeric’s possible health effects are linked to curcumin. Turmeric has also been used in traditional medicine for digestive problems, colds, skin conditions, arthritis, abdominal pain, and liver problems.
Turmeric supplements are marketed for conditions such as osteoarthritis, depression, allergies, itching, and high cholesterol. However, these claims aren’t the same as proven health benefits.
Although turmeric and curcumin have been studied for several conditions, current evidence isn’t strong enough to show that they are effective for any specific health purpose.
Animal studies suggest that curcumin may reduce seizure activity and protect brain cells from some seizure-related changes. However, results in animals don’t tell researchers whether curcumin is safe or effective for treating epilepsy in people.
One small clinical trial tested a special form of curcumin in 22 children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The children had fewer seizures while taking it along with their usual treatment.
The study also tested a specially formulated form of curcumin — not turmeric used in food or standard turmeric supplements. There’s currently no evidence that regular turmeric products can help control seizures.
Researchers are still studying how curcumin might affect seizures. Laboratory and animal studies suggest that its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects may influence processes involved in epilepsy, including inflammation and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can damage cells when the body has more harmful molecules than it can control.
One challenge is that the body absorbs curcumin poorly. Only a small amount may reach the bloodstream and brain after it’s taken by mouth. Researchers are studying special forms of curcumin, including nanoparticles, that may improve its absorption and delivery to the brain.
Some supplements also contain piperine, a compound in black pepper that can increase curcumin absorption. However, piperine can also affect how the body processes certain medications, including some anti-seizure drugs.
People with epilepsy should talk with their doctor before taking turmeric or curcumin supplements, especially products that contain piperine.
Turmeric or curcumin supplements may interact with some anti-seizure medications, but the risks aren’t well understood. Evidence for many herb-drug interactions is limited or unclear.
Herbs and supplements can affect how some medicines work. Talk with your neurologist or pharmacist before taking turmeric or curcumin, especially if you take several medications or drugs that require careful dosing.
Other complementary approaches, such as the keto diet or medical marijuana, have different benefits and risks. Talk with your healthcare team before making changes to your epilepsy treatment.
There is no proven dose of turmeric or curcumin for seizure control. Turmeric is generally safe in amounts used in food, but supplements can cause stomach upset, nausea, reflux, diarrhea, or constipation. Using turmeric as a culinary spice is different from taking concentrated turmeric or curcumin supplements.
Some products are designed to improve curcumin absorption. However, highly bioavailable curcumin products have been linked to rare cases of liver injury.
Stop taking turmeric or curcumin and contact your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms such as dark urine, nausea, fatigue, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies curcumin as “generally recognized as safe” because it is considered to be safe and well-tolerated by people. However, taking turmeric may still carry risks.
Turmeric supplements may be unsafe during pregnancy. There also isn’t enough research to know whether taking amounts greater than those found in food is safe while breastfeeding. Talk with your healthcare provider before using turmeric or curcumin supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Turmeric contains oxalate, a substance that can contribute to kidney stone formation in susceptible people. Research suggests that taking turmeric supplements may increase urinary oxalate and could raise the risk of kidney stones in people who are prone to them. Ask your healthcare provider before taking turmeric supplements if you have a history of kidney stones.
The FDA doesn’t approve dietary supplements for safety or effectiveness before they are sold. This means ingredient amounts and quality can vary between products.
Independent organizations such as ConsumerLab.com, NSF, and U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) test some supplements for quality. These seals can help confirm that a product contains the ingredients listed on its label, but they don’t prove that the supplement is safe or effective.
Anti-seizure medications are the main treatment for epilepsy. Some people may also need surgery, dietary therapy, or devices to help control seizures.
If you’re considering turmeric or curcumin, talk with your healthcare team first. Tell your neurologist about any supplements, herbs, or over-the-counter medicines you take so they can check for possible interactions.
Don’t stop or change your seizure medication without medical guidance. Stopping treatment suddenly can be dangerous, and some substances can increase the risk of seizures.
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Does this also help vertigo as I have seizures and vertigo?
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Hi, just saw your post and am very curious to see if you noticed any difference for seizure control. I’m considering trying it with my son who’s drug resistant. Thank you
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