Aspirin or Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a commonly used Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) for management of pain, fever, and inflammation.
Additionally, it has an antiplatelet effect which makes it useful for lowering cardiovascular risk factors and prevention of certain types of cancers.
The use of herbal supplements like turmeric and its active component curcumin is increasing to assist in the treatment of various disorders.
Though dietary turmeric is safe, it is essential to consider any possible herb-drug interactions if planning on taking turmeric/curcumin supplements with Aspirin.
Based on available research, here are some benefits and concerns associated with taking turmeric and Aspirin together.
Table of Contents
Benefits of using Turmeric with Aspirin
1. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory agent
With excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric is quite useful in reducing inflammation and pain in many inflammation-related disorders.
It works by inhibiting various factors, immune cells, and enzymes which carry out the process of inflammation in the body. [1]
Turmeric also has a similar mode of action as aspirin as it also efficiently inhibits the cyclooxygenase group of enzymes. [2]
Studies show that turmeric has a synergistic action with other anti-inflammatory agents and thus, could help in assisting treatment of inflammation. [3]
Preliminary studies have also reported the use of curcumin to act as an adjuvant in combination with other NSAIDs like aspirin. [4]
This will not only help in reducing the dosages of aspirin but also lower the magnitude of any possible side effects that might occur.
Read: Why Turmeric is Nature’s Best Anti-inflammatory Agent
2. Turmeric may be better than Aspirin
When scientists compared the therapeutic effects of turmeric oil with aspirin, it was found that turmeric oil, which is present in fresh turmeric, is a more potent inhibitor of inflammation and pain than aspirin. [5]
In another study analysing the potential of various anti-inflammatory agents, curcumin from turmeric was found to be more effective than aspirin in suppressing inflammatory mediators. [6]
Being a natural food used for many generations, turmeric and curcumin are much safer than aspirin and are well-tolerated by the human body even in high doses of 8g per day. Unlike aspirin, they also do not pose a risk of severe adverse effects. [7]
Thus turmeric is better than aspirin both because of its safety and efficacy.
3. Turmeric may alleviate side effects of Aspirin
Some common side effects of aspirin include gastrointestinal problems, which in severe cases can lead to bleeding and formation of stomach ulcers or cancer. [8]
Due to its gastroprotective effects, turmeric could protect the stomach and intestinal linings from mucosal damage by aspirin and prevent ulcer formation. [9]
4. Turmeric benefits in other health conditions as well
There are many NSAIDs, but what makes aspirin distinct is its additional anti-platelet effect.
Due to this property, it is widely used in patients with cardiovascular risk, to prevent the occurrence of blood clot formation, stroke, and other heart diseases. [10]
Apart from this, it has also been found beneficial in cancer treatment, particularly in colorectal cancer.
Now, individuals who are taking aspirin for these benefits should know that even turmeric has antiplatelet and anti-cancer properties.
There are numerous studies which state that turmeric, with its anti-thrombotic effect, could prevent cardiovascular disorders. [11]
Read: Turmeric Benefits to Heart
It also suppresses tumour growth and progression and kills cancerous cells. [12]
Read: Turmeric Benefits in Cancer
In fact, curcumin has been used in combination with aspirin in several nanoformulations for treatment of pancreatic, ovarian and colorectal cancers. [13] [14] [15] [16]
Thus, the possibility of its use with aspirin in treating many health conditions cannot be ignored.
Concerns: Turmeric Interaction with Aspirin
There are hardly any human studies or clinical trials which could prove any adverse effects of taking aspirin with turmeric.
However, preliminary studies have pointed out the possibility of interaction between aspirin and turmeric. Let us know more about it.
Turmeric with Aspirin could elevate some side effects
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics reports a study which states that NSAIDs, particular aspirin, can interact with other agents having an anti-platelet activity, like turmeric. Together, they could enhance the risk of bleeding due to their anti-coagulation effects. [17]
Moreover, piperine, the active ingredient of black pepper also inhibits platelet aggregation. [18]
Black pepper is often used with turmeric to increase its bioavailability.
However, another study conducted on 25 healthy volunteers stated that natural herbal supplements like turmeric, when taken together with aspirin, do not further inhibit the platelet aggravation or increase the bleeding risk. [19]
Some other scientific reports show that the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase-1 enzyme by aspirin results in the upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme to prevent gastric damage.
Now, taking aspirin with natural supplements like turmeric, which further inhibit the COX-2 enzyme, may result in aggravated gastric injury. [20]
Thus, caution should be exercised while taking turmeric supplements or golden paste (which contains turmeric and black pepper) with aspirin, mainly by those individuals who experience bleeding problems or some side effects with aspirin.
Turmeric may affect Aspirin metabolism
Curcumin from turmeric and piperine from black pepper, both inhibit P-glycoprotein and Cytochrome P450 enzymes which carry out the metabolism of various drugs in the human body. [21] [22]
Aspirin is one such drug which gets metabolised by these enzymes and disruption of its metabolic process might further alter its therapeutic action and may even elevate the side effects. [23]
Thus, concomitant use of turmeric supplements with aspirin should be avoided.
How to Take Turmeric
There are 3 ways to include turmeric/curcumin –
Raw Turmeric – this is slightly difficult to get but excellent. You can make Golden Paste and use it.
Turmeric Powder – the most popular way, also called turmeric spice. Golden Paste and Turmeric Milk are great ways to take the powder. Here is a list of recommended turmeric brands>
Turmeric Supplements / Curcumin Supplements – These contain curcumin along with absorption enhancing ingredients. Some of these are patented formulations. Here is a detailed guide on kins of supplements along with best brands>
Given the possibility of interaction, it is best to go for powder or raw and that too in limited amount. Also Golden paste should be made without the black pepper and only with fat to avoid any issues with Aspirin.
Bottomline
It is completely safe to take turmeric in diet, even if on medications. Turmeric is a regular ingredient in foods of many people around the world, and a small amount is unlikely to have any considerable effects.
As with any herbal supplement, always consult with your healthcare practitioner before taking turmeric/curcumin supplements in significant amounts, especially if on medications.
Based on one’s health conditions, the appropriate dosage and time of intake might need to be adjusted.
However, if taking turmeric/curcumin supplements, it is better to maintain a gap of 3-4 hours while taking turmeric and aspirin.
Also, due to the possibility of increased risk of bleeding, large turmeric doses should be avoided concomitantly with aspirin, particularly by those people who have experienced these side effects.
Hi TFH.
I am Manolis from Greece
I am a great turmeric lover and a sread information about it to all the people I Know!
I’ve been using Golden paste and curcumin 95 supplements τοο(1000-2000mg daily), for my smoldering myeloma(no symptoms, blood tests every 3 months) and feeling in great shape.
But lately,it was found out that I have coronary arteries narrowed by calcium plaque ,again asymptomatic, but I still feel in shape..
So,after doctor’s advice, I took up statins(every day) and aspirin(three times a week) and stopped Golden Paste and curcumin, in fear of interactions and bleeding.
Was that a correct choice? Could aspirin be replaced by larger doses of curcumin? Would it be safe to restart curcumin and G.P. together with my medication?
Thank you
Hi TFH.
I am a turmeric lover.
I’ve been using Golden paste and curcumin 95 supplements τοο(1000-2000mg daily), for my smoldering myeloma(no symptoms, blood tests every 3 months) and feeling greate.
Lately,Ι found out that I have coronary disease ,again asymptomatic. Arteries narrowed by calcium plaque..
So, since I took up statins and aspirin I stopped Golden Paste and curcumin, in fear of interactions and bleeding.
Was that a correct choice? Could aspirin be replaced by larger doses of curcumin? Would it be safe to restart curcumin and G.P. together with my medication?
Thank you!
I am 66 male-great shape-still working and climbing stairs and ladders; walk 2-4 miles a day. I have AFIB and i got off Xarelto. Taking 1-2 Turmeric Curcumin Complex 500mg with a baby aspirin daily… I check my heart beats and blood pressure 1x day… all is good with me. —– ps–i don’t eat junk foods and i get 7-8 hrs sleep a night.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are glad to hear that turmeric benefits you.
Small world. I am 66 as well and in good shape. At 60 years old i Got a knot in my calf after exercising and tried to get rid of it with a foam roller. well…. got a Pulmonary embolism and it put me in hospital for 10 days. they put me on rat poison (aka as Warfarin) and i finally decided to get rid of that whole system. taking 500mg turmeric and small dose aspirin. so far so good. been 3 months. good luck
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are happy to hear that turmeric is benefiting your health. Wish you great health!
I have afib and CHF. Dr’s want me on blood thinners and I refuse. I take 81mg aspirin and a turmeric capsule daily. I take together at bed time. if this OK? I also found that the turmeric has thickened my hair “love it”. I am 82 and feel great due to also including ACV daily. I take bp coreg, potassium and lasic daily. all seems to be just fine for me, heart getting weaker, but that is OK, Dr just included low dose of linsinipril to help strengthen heart. will try it as I am not a good prescription taker…..this combination seems to be helping my numbers with multiple myloma as I do not take chemo at all. Just want to know that the turmeric and aspirine are enough for me to prevent clots.
Hi. We are happy to hear that turmeric benefits you in many ways. It would be better to take turmeric capsules after a meal as this would assist in absorption, avoid any possible acid reflux issues and minimize chances of drug interactions. Many readers have reported that they have been safely taking turmeric as well as aspirin and have not experienced side effects while some have experienced excessive bleeding. It is best to consult your health practitioner about this. Hope this helps.
I have been taking turmeric with bioperine hi strength supplements for the last 4 years with aspirin and I have not had any issues
Thank you for sharing your experience. Glad to hear that turmeric helps you.
I am 80 years of age. Two years ago I had to have by-pass surgery (Quadruple)! I have over the two years almost discontinued all of the high powered drugs given to me at time of surgery etc., some by order of the Doctor and one a blood pressure pill since I do not have high blood pressure. I still have the problem with the .81 mg baby aspirin. I want to get off of it completely and take only Curcumin and perhaps coQ10 and another possible supplement to control inflammation and also platelet problems. I exercise some 200 minutes per week, eat a modified diet for such a condition, and get good sleep. I do have hypothyroidism and take a pill each day for that. Just wondered if the aspirin thing can be stopped totally at my age – I am now only taking the baby aspirin with 5 day separation trying to go off slowly. Do you consider this a correct approach? I have no blood pressure problems and no harm heart muscle, and also tests show pretty good HDL and LDL and Triglycerides. LDL needs to be below 100 so I am working on that my primary concern since it is 124.
Hi. You could consider adding turmeric to your diet for overall health benefits. But it’s best to consult a health practitioner about this.
Is it ok to take a low dose aspirin at bedtime and one capsule of 1300 mg Tumeric circumin longa with 95% curcuminoids and 10 mg bioperine before breakfast every day ?
Hi. The schedule of medications as mentioned by you seems safe but it is advisable to consult a doctor about this. Also, consider taking the turmeric supplement after breakfast for better absorption.
Is it okay to take a low dose of aspirin 81mg and two slices of turmeric a day? I put turmeric in my smoothie and sometimes will cook with my vegetables . I read somewhere you can take it 3-4 hours apart.
Hi. Dietary turmeric should not pose any risk. If you are taking supplements or high doses of turmeric powder, then it is advisable to maintain a 3-4 hour gap.
Since you are taking aspirin, please check this as well: https://www.turmericforhealth.com/turmeric-queries/is-turmeric-a-blood-thinner-will-it-increase-bleeding-risk
Lemon3pumpkin4gmail.com
Fabulous integration of complex interactions. Very well done and accurate. I know several besides myself aided without recommended surgeries, improving joint and tissue inflamation with natural medical interventions. Surgery, obviously, to say the least does not deal with inflamation, merely removing and altering sad results. Repeat. Take care, love life. bill
Simmer a lot of raw turmeric root in a large metal pot and pour the water off when it gets color to it. Do this over and over until there is little to no color. Put the water into ice cubes, and the ice cubes into a baggie in the freezer. (Do the same with ginger root.)
Can be used as a tea, of course. Use the turmeric whenever your recipe contains liquid. Same goes for ginger, which makes pineapple taste like ginger candy especially in rice.
Chop an onion into fairly large pieces (3 or 4 slices each way on a halved onion). Put it in coconut oil on a fairly low temperature. When the onion becomes somewhat translucent (see-through), sprinkle LIBERALLY with curry, which contains a lot of turmeric and tastes good (as turmeric does not). I use Sun Brand hot Madras curry; it makes the whole house smell delicious. Serve this onion sprinkled with a lot of freshly ground black pepper.
Quercetain in the onion, something in the coconut oil, and something in the black pepper make the turmeric in the curry far more bioavailable. This is the way the cultures that benefit from turmeric have been consuming it forever. This is delicious. This is cheap. This can be served as a topping to just about anything (mashed potato; rice; meat; pasta). This is even convenient.
I take turmeric and piperine (1,400mgs x 3) together with ponstan which is an NSAID also known as MEFENACIDE 500. So far I have no problems. I make absolutely sure I do not take on an empty stomach.