Can I Take Turmeric While Breastfeeding?

Turmeric is an ancient Ayurvedic spice traditionally used by breastfeeding women in India and Indonesia. Is it safe and what are the benefits of turmeric for breastfeeding moms? 

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. None of the information here should be taken as medical advice. Even if a remedy is classified as safe in Herbal Doula blog posts based on the existing evidence, that doesn’t mean it’s safe for you. The classifications in the database are just a general reference point. Follow your body, keep track of your response, and consult an herbalist, holistic practitioner, traditional midwife, or anyone else you feel may help you if you need expert advice.

What is Turmeric?

Turmeric is the dried powder of the rhizome of Curcuma Longa—the yellow spice we’re all familiar with (Akaberi et al., 2021).

Turmeric use dates back almost 4000 years! It’s both a spice and medicinal remedy. Turmeric is used traditionally in India, Indonesia, China, and other Asian countries. It’s an important remedy in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Islamic traditional medicine (Herb Rally Turmeric Monograph, Akaberi et al., 2021).

Curcumin, on the other hand, is an isolated active compound from turmeric found in supplements.

This blog post focuses on turmeric safety and benefits during breastfeeding. For a more detailed perspective, read the full free herbal monograph about Turmeric and Curcumin During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding.

Turmeric While Breastfeeding: Safe or Not? 

Turmeric has a long history of traditional use among breastfeeding women in Asia. It’s used to support breastmilk supply and aid postpartum healing.

Based on long-standing traditional use and several Indonesian observational and clinical studies, turmeric is likely safe to use during breastfeeding in food and traditional medicinal amounts (LactMed®, Turmeric; AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook (2013); A Romm, 2017; Mills & Bones, 2012; Chaudhuri et al., 1989; Chopra & Chopra, 2006; Sayuti & Atikah, 2023; Kumalasari et al., 2014; Prastiwi et al., 2018; Sumarni et al., 2019; Supriyo & Hidayati, 2016; Wulandari & Wardani, 2020).

Turmeric as a Traditional Galactagogue

Turmeric has long been traditionally used as a galactagogue in India and Indonesia (LactMed®, Turmeric). Galactagogues are herbs used to support breastfeeding and breast milk supply postpartum.

In Indonesia, turmeric is traditionally used, often in combination with other herbs, to support breastfeeding, milk supply, and postpartum healing. Most breastfeeding women in Indonesia use turmeric daily, especially in the first few months postpartum (Sayuti & Atikah, 2023; Kumalasari et al., 2014; Prastiwi et al., 2018; Sumarni et al., 2019; Supriyo & Hidayati, 2016; Wulandari & Wardani, 2020).

An explorative study of non-Bengali Muslim mothers who use turmeric as part of their diet classifies turmeric as posing minimal risk during breastfeeding (evidence level 4) (Chaudhuri et al., 1989).

Safety Classifications

The AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook (2013) classifies turmeric as Safety Class 1: safe with appropriate use (with no contraindications in pregnancy and breastfeeding).

In Bone & Mills’ authoritative herbal textbook, turmeric is a Class A herb – “no proven increase in the frequency of malformation or other harmful effects on the fetus despite consumption by a large number of women as an item of diet.” (A Romm, 2017; Mills & Bones, 2012).

An Indian natural medicine compendium reports that turmeric is of minimal risk during breastfeeding if used as a spice (Chopra & Chopra, 2006).

Are There Any Concerns About Using Turmeric While Breastfeeding?

One study on breast milk cells suggested that curcumin inhibits breast milk production. This is different from what we know about turmeric from traditional and clinical data. The cellular study used high doses of isolated curcumin on isolated cells. This doesn’t tell us anything about the effects of turmeric on the human body. There are no human data to suggest that turmeric may harm breast milk production (Kobayashi et al., 2021).

One Australian case report mentions possible liver injury in a breastfeeding woman who used high doses of turmeric (2-3 teaspoons 3-4 times per day). The reported liver injury could’ve been from high doses of turmeric, from turmeric impurities, or other factors (Haloub et al., 2024).

How Much Turmeric Can You Take While Breastfeeding? 

The amount of turmeric that is likely safe while breastfeeding is ¼ – ½ teaspoon daily in a drink. Turmeric is often taken with other herbs, milk, or a milk substitute.

If you want to use turmeric, find an organic, quality source. Take turmeric only at the recommended daily amounts. Contamination with heavy metals or other toxins and impurities can make turmeric dangerous.

The Bottom Line

Turmeric is likely a safe herb to take while breastfeeding if it’s organic and you use it at the recommended amounts (¼ – ½ teaspoon daily). 

Benefits of Turmeric While Breastfeeding & During Your Postpartum

Several studies back up turmeric’s traditional use for breastfeeding mothers. These studies suggest that turmeric supports breast milk supply and overall well-being postpartum. 

1. Increasing Breast Milk Supply

In one Thai study, 25 exclusively breastfeeding women took a supplement containing fenugreek, ginger, and turmeric; 25 took a placebo. Breastfeeding mothers receiving the supplement had a 49% increase in milk volume at week 2 and a 103% increase at week 4. This was greater than the placebo group. Milk nutrient content stayed the same, and no adverse effects were observed (Bumrungpert et al., 2018).

Based on this study, supplements or herbal teas containing turmeric, ginger, and fenugreek may also be a safe and beneficial combination for breastfeeding.

Another study of 89 breastfeeding women showed that women who drank herbal infusions containing turmeric had a 4 times greater chance of smooth breast milk production than women who didn’t take any herbal remedies. Most postpartum women (77.5%) drank herbal infusions (Supriyo & Hidayati, 2016).

In Thailand, women also traditionally prepare “lactation compresses” with turmeric and other herbs. In one study, Thai herbal compresses containing ginger, turmeric, and camphor shortened the time to breast milk production postpartum, compared to routine breastfeeding support clinical care (Dhippayom et al., 2015).

2. Soothing Inflammation & Supporting Postpartum Recovery

An Indonesian mini-survey examined the pattern of herbal medicine use among 45 breastfeeding mothers. Turmeric was used either alone or in combination with other herbs. All in all, almost half of all breastfeeding mothers who used herbal remedies took turmeric in some form (Sayuti & Atikah, 2023).

The most commonly used herbal remedy was uyub-uyub, a turmeric-containing herbal mixture. A third of all women used uyub-uyub daily as a “breast milk enhancer”—to support breastfeeding and breast milk supply. One in 10 women used a combination of turmeric and tamarind and one in 13 used turmeric alone (Sayuti & Atikah, 2023).

Turmeric alone was purported to benefit breastfeeding mothers by supporting breast milk production, reducing pain, lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, increasing blood circulation, and rejuvenating the body (Sumarni et al., 2019; Sayuti & Atikah, 2023).

Turmeric may also boost prolactin, the “milk hormone,” which increases milk production. Some compounds in turmeric may also mimic the main female hormone estrogen, which may improve milk production (Sumarni et al., 2019; Sayuti & Atikah, 2023).

3.  Physical and Mental Well-being 

In Ayurveda, turmeric is thought to strengthen the overall energy of the body and purify the blood. Aside from supporting breastfeeding, it may help soothe inflammation in the body, improve skin health, support sleep, aid wound healing, and support physical and mental well-being postpartum (Prasad et al., 2011).

4. Perineal Healing 

Turmeric and tamarind are considered to be an alternative treatment for wound healing in parts of Indonesia. In a study of 28 women, those who took an infusion with tamarind and turmeric experienced faster perineal wound healing after birth (6.25 days compared to 8.57 days) (Susanti et al., 2017).

5. Mastitis Recovery

One Iranian study of 63 nursing mothers compared a cream containing curcumin to a placebo cream for mastitis. The cream was applied to the affected breast 3 times daily for 3 days. Mastitis improved in both groups but was greater in the group that received the curcumin cream (Afshariani et al., 2014)

6. May Support Mood

Turmeric may support mood and mental health. Some studies on curcumin suggest that it may improve neurological and mental health disorders. Unfortunately, studies weren’t done with turmeric, but we can assume that some potential benefits may apply to it (Filardi et al., 2020).

In one clinical study, 8-week curcumin supplementation in people with depression reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms and improved mood and cognition (Lopresti et al., 2014).

In another trial, curcumin improved depression symptoms when taken for six weeks or more. It also enhanced the action of antidepressants (Filardi et al., 2020).

Curcumin may help with depression and anxiety by balancing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This is the main stress axis in the body. Curcumin may also support the release of neurotransmitters involved in mood like serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and glutamate. It may also help regulate the immune system and reduce oxidative stress, which supports overall mental health (Xu et al., 2006).

No studies have yet examined the effects of curcumin or turmeric on postpartum depression and anxiety.

However, since the research is promising and turmeric is traditionally thought to boost mental well-being, it may provide safe mental health and mood support postpartum.

The Bottom Line

Turmeric may support breastmilk supply and overall mental and physical recovery after birth. Turmeric may also soothe inflammation, help with perineal healing postpartum, and support mood. Creams and compresses with turmeric may contribute to healing mastitis. 

Takeaway

• Turmeric is likely safe for breastfeeding women when used in food or in traditional amounts (¼–½ teaspoon daily). Avoid high doses to prevent potential risks.

• Turmeric is a traditional galactagogue and may boost breast milk production, especially when combined with other herbs like fenugreek and ginger.

• Turmeric may soothe inflammation, support perineal healing, improve skin health, and contribute to mental and physical recovery after birth

• Turmeric may also help with breastfeeding mastitis when used as a cream or compress 

>>>>> Interested in other herbs that can support breastfeeding and postpartum health? Read the monograph on Ashwagandha safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Did you use turmeric while breastfeeding?

Let me know about your experience in the comments and share this article if you found it useful! <3