Reviewed guidance
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of small, heterogeneous randomized trials suggest possible short-term improvements in pain or function with some oral Curcuma longa/curcumin extracts in knee osteoarthritis. Results are formulation-specific and certainty is limited by heterogeneity, risk of bias, and limited long-term safety data; evidence does not establish benefit for ordinary turmeric foods or tea.
Oral turmeric or curcumin supplements for knee osteoarthritis pain may provide relief of osteoarthritic pain of the knee.
Supplement-associated liver injury has been reported, especially with some enhanced-bioavailability products. Possible drug interactions have been reported. People taking medicines, with liver or gallbladder disease, who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or considering surgery should seek clinician or pharmacist advice before using an oral supplement.
Get medical care for symptoms that are severe, last longer than expected, get worse, or otherwise concern you.
Practical ways to use the ingredient may not provide the same form or amount discussed in the evidence.
Evidence transparency
PubMed / Journal placeholder · 2021
systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials ... turmeric extracts for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis
BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine · 2021
All 10 studies showed improvement in pain and function from baseline with turmeric therapy (p≤0.05).
PMC · 2021
Randomized trials and pooled analyses show curcumin may have small-to-moderate effects on inflammation-related biomarkers and patient-reported pain/function outcomes in osteoarthritis populations, but trial heterogeneity is high.
Open access journal · 2024
Curcuma longa significantly improved VAS for pain than placebo (MD 18.25, 95% CI 7.79 to 28.72, p=0.0006).