Turmeric to cinnamon: Common herbs and spices you shouldn't mix with your medicine
In particular, too much of these 5 popular spices should be avoided when taking certain medications. People on blood thinners, blood pressure medicines, and heart rhythm drugs especially need to be careful.
Cinnamon
A pinch of cinnamon may make your curry or tea flavoursome, but think twice before increasing its consumption, or taking a cinnamon supplement without a doctor's advice, as a new study has found it may interact with your medicine and lessen its effect.
A recent study published in Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences has raised new concerns about how concentrated forms of cinnamon such as supplements or essential oils may interfere with the body's ability to process certain prescription medications.
Researchers from the University of Mississippi's National Center for Natural Products Research simulated human digestion and investigated how cinnamon and its key chemical components like cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and cinnamon oil affect the body's xenobiotic receptors. These receptors help regulate how drugs are metabolized and cleared from the body. It was found that cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid activated these drug-processing receptors, which could lead the body to break down medications more quickly than intended. This may result in reduced drug effectiveness, especially for medications that require steady levels in the bloodstream to be effective.
Ginger
Any spice added in limited quantity to food is unlikely to cause any harm. It's the overdose of it that one must be cautious about. Ginger in recommended amounts is known to ease nausea, reduce inflammation, boost digestion, and control cholesterol and blood pressure. However, excess of this beneficial spice, can harm your health, especially if you are on blood thinners.
People on anticoagulant therapy - blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin and others - should seek advice from their healthcare experts regarding their ginger consumption. While having a cup of ginger tea or using it in your recipe, may not be harmful, too much of it can be risky.
Besides, large amounts of ginger may affect insulin and lower blood sugar.
Licorice
Licorice root, not to be confused with licorice-flavored candy, can interact with a wide range of medications and may pose serious health risks if not consumed with caution. It has been shown to raise blood pressure and interfere with heart and blood pressure medications.
The herb may also affect how the liver processes various drugs, including common pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications like celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), as well as medications like glipizide for diabetes and fluvastatin for cholesterol.
Women taking oral contraceptives have reported increased blood pressure and lowered potassium levels when combining them with licorice. It can also intensify the effects of certain antidepressants and corticosteroids, leading to heightened side effects. In people using stimulant laxatives, licorice can exacerbate potassium loss, which may be harmful.
Additionally, it may interfere with blood sugar levels in those taking insulin or diabetes medications, and reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners, increasing the risk of clotting.
St John's Wort
Commonly taken as a natural remedy for mild to moderate depression, St. John's Wort can significantly interfere with many medications, says
study
. It can reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants, leading to potential worsening of mood symptoms. It may also lower the efficacy of birth control pills, increase the risk of unplanned pregnancy, and affect the performance of blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and certain heart medications. This herb speeds up how the liver breaks down drugs, which can reduce their concentration in the body and make them less effective.
Turmeric
Turmeric in your curry is fine, but you should think twice when taking supplements. Too much of it can interact with your medicine. This happens due to the spice's active component called curcumin, which may pose risks when combined with certain medications.
One key concern is its potential to increase bleeding risk when taken alongside blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, or clopidogrel, says
study
. While turmeric is generally safe to add in your food, concentrated supplements can amplify these effects, making it important for those on anticoagulants or upcoming surgeries to consult a healthcare provider before use.
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