Turmeric is a spice that may have cancer-fighting properties, and can help with side effects of cancer treatment. But it can also interfere with some types of chemotherapy. An Integrative Medicine expert at Memorial Sloan Kettering explains what you need to know.

You may have read about the health benefits of turmeric, a spice native to southeast Asia. For more than 5,000 years, people have used it to treat a variety of ailments, such as skin disorders and digestive issues. Research suggests that its active ingredient, curcumin, may even help prevent or treat cancer. So should you ramp up your intake?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Integrative Medicine pharmacist Jason Hou says you can go ahead and add turmeric to your favorite foods. Dr. Hou manages MSK’s About Herbs database, a hub of information on herbs and supplements as they relate to cancer care. But before you stock up on turmeric capsules or vitamins, talk to your MSK healthcare provider, especially if you’re in active treatment.

“Just because a product is labeled as ‘natural’ does not always mean it’s safe — especially for people with cancer,” Dr. Hou says.

Here’s what else Dr. Hou wants you to know about turmeric.

Turmeric is a bright yellow spice commonly used in Indian cooking. It comes from a root or rhizome and its main ingredient is curcumin. Laboratory studies on cancer cells have found curcumin slows down their growth and some animal studies have also shown it to slow the growth and spread of cancers.

Clinical trials are underway to find out if it can help humans as well, but as yet we do not have enough evidence of the effect in humans. One problem is that not much curcumin is absorbed into our body when we eat turmeric. As well, we know that it is safe to use in cooking in small amounts, but we don’t know much about the side effects of consuming it in large amounts to treat or prevent cancer. More research is needed to establish the safety of turmeric when used in herbal remedies. As always, you should talk to your doctor about any herbs or supplements you are considering taking.

Turmeric has the potential to prevent and treat cancer.

Turmeric reduces inflammation, which is at the root of many diseases, including cancer. Animal and lab studies show that turmeric can help prevent cancer growth and kill certain cancer cells, but we don’t know if it has the same effect in humans. We need large clinical trials to figure that out, says Dr. Hou. The research community is on it. Dr. Hou cites a phase 2 study that combined curcumin and conventional chemotherapy to treat people with advanced colorectal cancer. The researchers found that curcumin is safe and tolerable in these patients, and when combined with conventional chemotherapy, has the potential to improve overall survival (how long someone lives after starting treatment) and progression-free survival — how long someone is on treatment before cancer progresses. Other studies are ongoing.

Turmeric can help with side effects from cancer treatment.

Small studies among people with cancer show that turmeric can help improve quality of life. In one study, people who used a turmeric-based topical cream had reduced skin irritation caused by chemotherapy. In another, a mouthwash containing curcumin reduced mouth swelling. Turmeric can also help lower pain in some breast cancer patients with joint problems. “This is encouraging,” Dr. Hou says, adding that similar trials are underway in people with prostate, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer.

In fact, MSK is recruiting cancer survivors with pain in their muscles, bones, and joints for a study of a patch that contains turmeric.

MSK’s Integrative Medicine Service offers turmeric and curcumin supplements through its herbal dispensary program, located at MSK’s Breast and Imaging Center. Patients must be referred to the dispensary after being assessed by an MSK Integrative Medicine physician or advanced practice provider.

More turmeric isn’t always better. Turmeric has side effects that you should know about.
“There’s no evidence turmeric as a spice is harmful,” Dr. Hou says. “But for anything more than that, you should consult your healthcare provider or an Integrative Medicine specialist at MSK.” That’s because consuming higher amounts of curcumin — found in turmeric capsules, for example — may interfere with certain chemotherapies, making them less effective. Turmeric can also increase the risks of bleeding and kidney stones, and too much can give you a stomachache.

Turmeric can be used orally or topically in doses ranging from 375 mg to 4,000 mg once daily. There are many ways in which turmeric is thought to work, but in cancer some studies suggest that it may kill cancer cells and stop tumors from forming the blood vessels they need to grow.memorial sloan kettering cancer center integrative medicine herbs pharmacist jason hou jason hou

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