Is Taking Turmeric Effective For Treatment Of Depression?

Posted on Fri, 22 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 Answered on

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I had to stop taking depression medicine because it wasn't working any longer. Ever since then I have adverse reactions to many things, even ibuprofin. I never had any issues with any allergic or adverse reactions to medications prior to stopping the antidepressants. I wanted to try turmeric for depression but I don't know how much I should take every day.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Clariications

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for using health care magic for posting your query.

I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.

However I would require a couple of more details to help you in answering your query in a better justified way.

1) which antidepressant were you on which lost its efficacy and made you prone to reactions?
2) what kind of reactions do you have?
3) which are the antodepressants that you are not tolerating at present?

Hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience.

Regards and wish you good health,

Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Neuro-Psychiatrist and Sexologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (10 minutes later)

The last med was cymbalta. When I tried to go back on it, I had blurry vision, dizziness, skin felt hot like it was burning, ringing in my ears, my pulse became weak, I felt like I was going to faint. I haven't been able to tolerate any antidepressants since I stopped cymbalta one year ago. I used to be able to take ibuprofin if I had pain and since stopping cymbalta I cannot even take that.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (45 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Brief Answer:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

Sorry for the delay in my response.

The symptoms you are experiencing could be due to allergy only.

Yes, turmeric is a good remedy but works slow. You may have to take for weeks or even months to get a response.

A pinch of turmeric mixed in a tumbler of milk taken in the night everyday serves the purpose.

Hope, I answered your query.

Wish you good health.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Srikanth Reddy (2 hours later)

Thank you. Everything I have read says that turmeric is poorly absorbed an should be taken with black pepper. Would you agree? That will be my last question about turmeric.

Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it should be

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes it is mentioned that turmeric may be taken with black pepper. for better absorption and effect. If at all you plan to take turmeric, do take it with black pepper.
Hope this helps
Regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar