How Much Turmeric To Take For Erectile Dysfunction

Turmeric and its active ingredient Curcuma longa offers many beneficial health properties that are reputed to increase erectile function and sexual satisfaction. 

Turmeric is a powerful herb that can be used for cosmetic, culinary, and medicinal purposes. It may also provide benefits as a natural remedy for males suffering from erectile dysfunction. 

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is a perennial herb grown in the tropical regions of Asia and has a history of use in herbal medicine for over 4000 years. It is commonly used in South Asian countries as a culinary spice and in religious ceremonies. 

Turmeric is a golden spice obtained from the plant Curcuma longa. The stems are dried and ground to a fine powder that is then used in teas, capsules, and ground spice. Turmeric is frequently used in cooking but has long been utilized for its natural health benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects that aid in many health conditions.

Uses

Turmeric has many uses in traditional herbal medicine and cosmetics due to its potent color, flavor, and wide range of health benefits. These benefits include: 

• Anti-cancer properties

• Decreasing lipid levels for type 2 diabetes

• Lowering levels of C-reactive protein (cardio-protective)

• Antioxidant

• Anti-inflammatory

• Topical antibacterial

• Increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline

• Reducing oxidative stress and improving cognition

What are the benefits of turmeric for erectile dysfunction?

Normal erectile dysfunction is dependent on the nervous system and vasodilation of penile blood vessels in addition to the relaxation of smooth muscles. This depends on the appropriate function of neurotransmitters and the sensory and motor nerves to carry signals from the penis to the central nervous system via the spinal cord. Any impairment of these physical and neurological processes can impede erectile function.

There have been a few studies demonstrating the effectiveness of turmeric/curcumin in erectile dysfunction, particularly as an adjunct to PDE-5 inhibitors, i.e., Viagra and similar medications. Furthermore, several more studies¹ have shown that curcumin may upregulate NOS gene expression, a precursor to the chemical NO necessary for an erection.

Turmeric and blood flow

Turmeric may reduce cardiovascular risk factors and has been shown² to significantly reduce blood pressure and prevent the development of hypertension in animal studies. Studies³ have shown that curcumin inhibits some signaling pathways and molecular targets involved in obesity and inflammatory-related diseases and may reduce serum levels of cholesterol and lipids (fats).

How much turmeric should you take for erectile dysfunction?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as much as 3mg of curcumin⁴ (the active ingredient in turmeric) can be taken per kg of body weight per day safely.  However, definitive therapeutic levels are not widely agreed upon in clinical trials⁵ and should be discussed with your doctor. 

What are the side effects of taking too much turmeric?

Turmeric is generally very well tolerated, even in high doses, but gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and allergic dermatitis reactions have been recorded. 

In higher doses, turmeric is known to cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain, which can be minimized through turmeric consumption at mealtimes

Due to turmeric’s ability to interfere with preexisting health conditions, talk to your doctor before adding turmeric to your diet. 

Rare side effects may occur

Although turmeric has no known serious side effects, it has been known to interact with certain drugs and medications, reducing their effectiveness.

Turmeric may affect the activity of:

• chemo-therapeutic drugs

• blood thinners 

• anti-platelet medication

• anti-diabetic medication

• anti-nausea medication

How to take turmeric for best results

Ground turmeric is commonly incorporated into cooking to flavor curries due to its color and spice qualities. 

Try adding turmeric to curries and soups to spice up meat and vegetables, bringing turmeric's distinct color, flavor, and health benefits to any dish. The relatively low cost, safety, and proven efficacy of turmeric make it advisable to include it as part of a healthy diet.

Tips for adding more turmeric to your diet

• Pair with sweeteners such as sugar and honey to aid in cold and flu symptoms

• Add to boiled milk to cure coughs and respiratory symptoms

• Add to smoothies or coffee

• Smear as a paste over insect bites, wounds, and swollen skin 

The effectiveness of turmeric may increase with long-term use at higher doses. To include turmeric in your diet without changing the flavors of your food, try incorporating turmeric capsules or tea into your daily routine. These can be purchased over the counter at your local supermarket.

The lowdown

Turmeric is an inexpensive, safe, and effective natural herb that may alleviate symptoms of erectile dysfunction by improving chemicals that play a role in male erections. Its anti-inflammatory properties may aid in preventing obesity, which can indirectly be a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, but further clinical research on natural health products like turmeric is required.

Before adding turmeric to your diet, discuss with your doctor if turmeric is right for you, as it has proven to interfere with some medications and cause unwanted side effects in people with preexisting health conditions. 

There are many ways to incorporate turmeric into your diet, and it can be easily purchased at your local supermarket in the form of capsules, teas, or ground spice. If you or your partner are struggling with ED, talk to your doctor about safely incorporating turmeric into your diet.