Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and in India it’s been part of our daily food for centuries. It was never meant to be taken as a “supplement” on its own—rather, it’s used in cooking in natural amounts.
When taken as a supplement, there are clear dosage limits and a time period for safe use.
Just because something is herbal doesn’t mean it has no side effects.
Many cases of liver/kidney damage come from self-prescribed herbal medicines, and Ayurveda unfairly gets blamed for it.
Ayurveda is a way of living and experiencing balance—not a substitute for popping herbal pills like modern medicine’s vitamin tablets.
You’ve put it brilliantly. Ayurveda was never about taking quick-fix capsules; it was about finding harmony in how we eat, live, and care for our bodies. The issue arises when we reduce centuries of learning to “supplements” without instruction. Just because something is natural doesn’t imply it’s safe, context, quantity, and lifestyle all matter. Ayurveda is more of a way of being rather than a medicine that you take.
This is so true. Turmeric and other herbs are part of ayurveda, but context also matters - how they’re prepared and integrated into life. Taking them in concentrated form for a short period of time is not the solution. It can do more harm than good. Moderation and consistency is the most important part of ayurveda.
Turmeric is part of our Indian food culture, not something to be taken blindly as a supplement. People think herbal means safe, but even natural products have dosage limits. Many cases of liver and kidney damage are due to self-medication with herbal pills. Ayurveda is not about popping tablets it’s a lifestyle that promotes balance. We should respect it and not misuse it like modern medicine.
Drugs and herbal medicines need to be taken as per prescribed dose. Every chemical substance including drug, herbal medicines can cause side effects and organ toxicity if used excessively. So, it is important to use them with caution
Interesting topic, Turmeric is widely considered safe when used in cooking. But in rare cases, especially when taking high-dose supplements often combined with black pepper (piperine) to boost absorption, it’s been linked to serious liver injury. Research from the U.S. Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network (DILIN) highlighted 10 cases, mostly between 2011–2022, where liver damage followed turmeric supplement use. Many patients carried a specific genetic marker (HLA-B*35:01), suggesting some people may be more susceptible. While such harms are still rare, they’re being reported more often and regulators like the Australian TGA are warning clinical users about it.
Yes, everyone should remember ayurvedic medicines or herbals are always meant to taken in prescribed quantity only and should not overuse than recommended to avoid possible adverse effects.