Expert: Shashank Shekhar Pandey - 11/22/2011

Question
Hi Shashank,

I have read about the health benefits of ingesting Turmeric. I have read of people taking a teaspoon twice per day. Do you think that is too much, or should the dosage be more or less for health benefits? I've heard people in India eat a lot of it as a spice for their foods. Can a person take ground turmeric raw instead of cooking it with their foods? I like a teaspoon mixed in 4 ounces of orange juice, after a meal. Will I get the same benefits eating Turmeric as a raw, uncooked ground spice, or must it be heated and cooked in one's food to get the benefits?

Thank you very much!

Mike E.

Answer
Hi Mike, What you have read is quite correct. Dose of one teaspoon twice per day is absolutely right. Yes, you have rightly heard that people in India eat a lot of it as a spice. We in India mix turmeric in almost every recipes / dishes / curry. Thus, we Indians eat a lot of turmeric, almost 2 to 5 teaspoons full a day.

Yes, a person can take raw turmeric. For health benefits, we Indians even take raw turmeric i.e. one to two spoons full of turmeric powder dissolved in 6 to 8 ounces of milk. It is also taken in lukewarm water ( usually 4 ounce of water), once or twice daily that too in addition of the normal daily intake of turmeric in meals.

Raw turmeric is more beneficial. It is taken with milk or lukewarm water. However, I would like to suggest you that do not follow the dosage mentioned above immediately. Those who are not used to of such dosages may experience stomach upset or heart burn etc... if they start taking such dosages all of sudden. They should gradually increase the dosage.

You can take turmeric with orange juice after meal.

Hope, it will help you. Feel free to ask further if you feel the need.

Regards
Shashank Shekhar
http://www.liveperson.com/shashank-shekhar