Curcuma longa · Ginger family (Zingiberaceae)
Hi, I'm Turmeric! I'm the golden spice that makes food sunny yellow.
Scientists think turmeric may help sore knees in older people. They tested strong pills, not the spice in food.
🟡 Scientists think so
For a long time, people have used turmeric to help a full, slow tummy after eating.
🔵 Grandma's wisdom
Doctors are testing turmeric mouthwash to calm a sore mouth during strong hospital care.
🟠 Still being studied
For kids OK in normal food Pills, powders & oils: ask a grown-up first
Turmeric in rice, soups and tagines is fine for kids. Turmeric and curcumin pills are only for grown-ups, and only with a doctor's OK.
⛔ Avoid
Very strong turmeric pills have hurt some people's liver. The spice in food is fine.
⛔ Avoid
Mums expecting a baby should not take turmeric pills. Turmeric in food is fine.
⚠️ Ask a doctor first
Mums who breastfeed should ask a doctor before turmeric pills.
👀 Be careful
Turmeric pills can upset the tummy or give a burning feeling in the chest.
👀 Be careful
If you take medicine, a grown-up should ask the doctor before you take turmeric pills.
Natural does not always mean safe. Always ask a grown-up before trying something new, and a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplement. Try the safety check →
Turmeric is a plant from India. We use the bumpy part that grows under the ground. Inside, it is bright orange! People dry it and grind it into a yellow powder.
Turmeric gives colour and a warm taste to rice, soups and tagines. It is a cousin of ginger.
🔵 Grandma's wisdom — not proven by science
Turmeric can turn your fingers, your clothes and even your chopping board yellow!
The yellow colour comes from a natural substance called curcumin.
Turmeric is one of the spices in the Moroccan spice mix ras el hanout.
💡 Wear old clothes: fresh turmeric stains everything yellow!
Answer 3 questions. Get 2 right to win this plant’s badge for your garden!
What colour is turmeric powder?
Curcumin makes turmeric golden yellow.
Turmeric is a cousin of which plant?
Turmeric and ginger belong to the same plant family.
Very strong turmeric pills can harm which part of the body?
Some strong curcumin pills have damaged people's liver. Spice in food is fine.
🏅 You earned the Turmeric badge!
Almost! Read the page again and retry — you can do it! 💪
Print it, cut it out and collect them all!
Curcuma longa
Aches & swelling
Tummy & digestion
Mouth & teeth
🤩 Turmeric can turn your fingers, your clothes and even your chopping board yellow!
General information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before using any herbal supplement — especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding, for children, before surgery, or if you take medicines. Medical disclaimer
| Use | Evidence | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aches & swelling | 🟡 Some evidence (small human studies) | Several meta-analyses of oral turmeric or curcumin for knee osteoarthritis are positive, but higher-quality evidence is needed[1]. In one meta-analysis of 8 randomised trials, turmeric extract (about 1,000 mg curcumin a day) reduced arthritis pain versus placebo and was similar to pain medicines, but trials were few and small[3]. |
| Tummy & digestion | 🔵 Traditional use (not scientifically confirmed) | The EU herbal committee recognises turmeric for mild digestive problems such as fullness, slow digestion and wind as a traditional use in adults; studies had design shortcomings[2]. |
| Mouth & teeth | 🟠 Early evidence (lab or animal studies only) | Initial research suggests oral or mouthwash turmeric/curcumin might improve oral mucositis caused by cancer treatment[1]. |
Not a recommendation. Not for children unless a doctor says so. Products differ a lot — follow the label and your health professional.
✅ Reviewed by sm_owner on September 26, 2026.
Last updated September 25, 2026. How we write and check our pages
Spices
If you have too much…
How people use it
In the kitchen
Traditional uses
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