Part of our Turmeric & Curcumin guide library.
Short answer: Turmeric is not a blood thinner medicine, but it may affect bleeding. In lab studies, curcumin, the main compound in turmeric, slows platelets from clumping together, and Memorial Sloan Kettering advises against taking turmeric supplements with warfarin or other blood thinners because turmeric may increase the risk of bleeding. In small human studies, turmeric and curcumin supplements did not cause clinically relevant changes in clotting. Turmeric in food is generally considered safe. If you take a blood thinner or have surgery coming up, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking turmeric supplements.
Turmeric warnings often say it "may increase bleeding risk", which leaves a lot of questions. Is it a natural blood thinner? Does it work like aspirin? Can you take it with Eliquis, Xarelto or warfarin? Here is what the lab studies, human trials and case reports actually show, and what to ask your doctor.
What you'll learn
- What blood thinners do, and where turmeric fits
- What lab, animal and human studies found
- Turmeric with warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix and aspirin
- Turmeric before surgery, and bleeding signs to watch for
Does turmeric thin your blood?
"Blood thinner" is an everyday name for two kinds of medicine (MedlinePlus):
- Anticoagulants, such as heparin or warfarin, slow down your body's process of making clots.
- Antiplatelets, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, prevent blood cells called platelets from clumping together to form a clot.
Turmeric is neither. It is a spice, and its supplements are not approved by the FDA before they are sold (NCCIH). The question is whether curcumin has a smaller, antiplatelet-like effect, and whether that matters for people who already take a blood thinner. In the lab, the answer leans yes. In the small human studies we found, the effect was not clinically relevant. Because the human evidence is limited and there are case reports of bleeding, health authorities still advise caution with supplements.
What the research shows
| Type of study | What was found | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lab study, human platelets | Curcumin inhibited platelet clumping triggered by arachidonic acid, adrenaline and collagen, and lowered production of thromboxane, a compound that helps platelets stick together | Srivastava et al., 1995 |
| Review of herbal medicines | Lab studies show promise for turmeric, along with ginger, garlic and Ginkgo, in reducing platelet aggregation | McEwen, 2015 |
| Animal study, rats | After 7 days at the highest curcumin dose tested, blood levels of warfarin and of the active form of clopidogrel rose by roughly 1.5 to 1.8 times, but clotting time and platelet aggregation did not change | Liu et al., 2013 |
| Randomized trial, healthy adults | 25 healthy volunteers took a turmeric preparation for 3 weeks, alone and with aspirin. There was no clinically relevant effect on platelet or clotting tests, adding turmeric did not increase aspirin's effect, and there was no significant bleeding. 5 of 24 people showed reduced platelet clumping on one test | Fung et al., 2017 |
| Study in patients on blood thinners | After 10 days of a curcumin product (Meriva), bleeding time did not change in people taking aspirin, ticlopidine or clopidogrel, and INR did not change in stable patients taking warfarin or dabigatran | Hu et al., 2018 |
| Case report | A woman taking fluindione, a warfarin-like medicine, had a rise in INR (a measure of how long blood takes to clot) that was judged a probable interaction with turmeric | Daveluy et al., 2014 |
| Case report | A 48-year-old man who had taken a turmeric supplement for about 3 months, and no blood thinners, had repeated bleeding in the eye after retinal surgery. It settled after he stopped the supplement, but the author notes turmeric cannot be proven to be the cause | Kalla, 2025 |
Taken together, lab and animal work suggests a real but modest effect on platelets, while the human studies are small, short and used specific products. Memorial Sloan Kettering summarizes it this way: preclinical studies and a case report suggest that turmeric can increase the risk of bleeding (Memorial Sloan Kettering). That is enough reason for caution, especially with warfarin, which has a narrow therapeutic index, so small changes in its effect can matter (NCCIH).
Turmeric and blood thinners: warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix and aspirin
| Medicine | Type | What we found about turmeric |
|---|---|---|
| Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) | Anticoagulant | Memorial Sloan Kettering says do not take turmeric supplements with it. A small 10-day study saw no INR change in stable patients, and a case report with a similar drug saw a rise. MedlinePlus advises talking with your provider before taking any supplement on warfarin |
| Apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) | Anticoagulant | We found no human studies with turmeric. They fall under the "other blood thinners" in the Memorial Sloan Kettering warning |
| Dabigatran (Pradaxa) | Anticoagulant | One small 10-day study saw no INR change |
| Clopidogrel (Plavix) | Antiplatelet | Curcumin raised its active form in rats without changing platelet tests. A 10-day human study saw no change in bleeding time |
| Aspirin | Antiplatelet | In a 3-week trial, adding turmeric did not increase aspirin's effect on platelets. Memorial Sloan Kettering notes turmeric may lessen the effects of aspirin |
"No change in a small study" is not the same as "safe to combine". These studies were short, included few people and tested particular products, so they cannot rule out problems in someone taking a different product, a higher amount, or several supplements at once. If you take any of these medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting turmeric or curcumin supplements, and tell them if you already take one. If you take ibuprofen or other pain relievers too, see turmeric and ibuprofen.
Does turmeric thin your blood like aspirin?
No. Aspirin is an antiplatelet medicine whose job is to stop platelets from clumping (MedlinePlus). In the 3-week trial, turmeric on its own had no clinically relevant effect on platelet function, and it did not add to aspirin's effect (Fung et al., 2017).
That cuts both ways. Turmeric is not a stand-in for aspirin or any prescribed blood thinner, so never swap one for the other or stop a medicine on your own. And because turmeric may lessen the effects of aspirin, adding it is still worth raising with your doctor (Memorial Sloan Kettering).
How much turmeric thins your blood, and how fast?
There is no established amount. No study we found defines a dose of turmeric or curcumin that thins the blood, and none tested whether it acts right away. The human studies measured clotting after 10 days and 3 weeks, and the eye-bleeding case involved about 3 months of supplement use.
What health sources do separate is food versus supplements. It is generally safe to use turmeric in food and tea, and herbal supplements are stronger than the herbs you would use in cooking (Memorial Sloan Kettering). Conventionally formulated turmeric or curcumin is likely safe in the recommended amounts for up to 2 or 3 months, while highly bioavailable formulations may harm your liver (NCCIH). If you take a blood thinner, treat any supplement amount as something to clear with your doctor, rather than looking for a "safe" number. For daily-use safety in general, see is it safe to take turmeric every day?
Turmeric before surgery or dental work
Tell everyone treating you about every supplement you take, including herbs and natural remedies (Memorial Sloan Kettering). Supplements are easy to forget because many people do not think of them as medicine, and in the eye surgery case, turmeric only came up after repeated bleeding (Kalla, 2025).
When to stop turmeric before a procedure depends on the procedure and your other medicines, so ask your surgeon, anesthesia team or dentist for their instructions rather than following a general rule online. If you also take warfarin, do not stop or change it on your own: sometimes you may need to stop or take less before a procedure, but always talk to the provider who prescribed it first (MedlinePlus).
Other supplements that can affect bleeding
Turmeric is one of several supplements that come up in bleeding questions. Taking Ginkgo biloba with warfarin has been linked to a higher risk of major bleeding than warfarin alone, and cat's claw may interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (NCCIH). For people on warfarin, MedlinePlus also lists fish oil supplements, herbs used in herbal teas, cranberry juice and green tea among the things to keep small and consistent (MedlinePlus). If you take more than one of these, mention all of them to your doctor or pharmacist, not just the turmeric.
Who should ask first, and bleeding signs to watch for
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking turmeric or curcumin supplements if you:
- Take a blood thinner, such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel or daily aspirin
- Have a bleeding disorder or bruise easily
- Have surgery, a dental procedure or another procedure coming up
- Take other supplements that may affect bleeding, such as Ginkgo or fish oil
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver problems, or take other prescription medicines
Bleeding is the most common side effect of blood thinners. Call your provider if you notice signs of serious bleeding, such as (MedlinePlus):
- Red or brown urine, or red or black bowel movements
- Gum or nose bleeding that does not stop quickly
- Brown or bright red vomit, or coughing up something red
- Unusual bruising, or a cut that does not stop bleeding
- Heavier than normal menstrual bleeding
- Severe headache or stomachache, dizziness or weakness, or a serious fall or bump on the head
If bleeding is heavy or you feel faint, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Turmeric is a natural blood thinner, so you can use it instead of medication. Reality: Turmeric has not been shown to work like a blood thinner in people, and it has not been tested as a replacement. Never swap or stop a prescribed blood thinner on your own.
Myth: Curry or golden milk is dangerous if you take warfarin. Reality: Turmeric in food and tea is generally considered safe. The caution is mainly about supplements, which are stronger. If you drink golden milk daily, mention it to your doctor and keep the amount consistent.
Myth: One study found no interaction, so any turmeric supplement is fine with any blood thinner. Reality: The studies were small and short, tested specific products, and did not include apixaban or rivaroxaban. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does turmeric thin your blood?
Not in the way a blood thinner medicine does. In lab studies, curcumin slows platelet clumping, but small human studies found no clinically relevant effect on clotting. Turmeric supplements may still raise bleeding risk for people on blood thinners, so ask a doctor first.
Can I take turmeric with blood thinners?
Memorial Sloan Kettering advises against taking turmeric supplements with warfarin or other blood thinners because turmeric may increase bleeding risk. Turmeric in food is generally considered safe. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a supplement.
Can I take turmeric with Eliquis or Xarelto?
We found no human studies of turmeric with apixaban (Eliquis) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto). They are blood thinners, so the general caution applies. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking a turmeric supplement.
Is turmeric a blood thinner like aspirin?
No. Aspirin is an antiplatelet medicine. In a 3-week trial, turmeric had no clinically relevant effect on platelets and did not add to aspirin's effect. Do not use turmeric in place of aspirin.
How much turmeric thins your blood?
No study has set an amount. The concern is mainly with supplements, which are stronger than turmeric used in cooking. If you take a blood thinner, check with your doctor before taking any amount as a supplement.
When should I stop taking turmeric before surgery?
There is no single rule. Tell your surgeon, anesthesia team or dentist that you take turmeric, and follow their instructions on when to stop.
Is turmeric tea or golden milk OK if I take a blood thinner?
Turmeric in food and tea is generally considered safe. If you have it often, tell your doctor and keep the amount steady, especially if you take warfarin.
Related guides
- Is it safe to take turmeric every day?
- Turmeric and ibuprofen: can you take them together?
- When is the best time to take turmeric?
- Is turmeric good or bad for your liver?
- Is turmeric bad for your kidneys?
- Turmeric curcumin supplement: does it actually work?
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Do not start, stop or change a blood thinner or any prescribed medicine without talking to the provider who prescribed it. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking turmeric supplements if you take a blood thinner or other medicines, have a bleeding disorder, have surgery planned, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Seek medical care right away for heavy bleeding, vomiting or coughing up blood, black or bloody stools, or a severe headache.
References
- Srivastava KC, Bordia A, Verma SK. "Curcumin, a major component of food spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) inhibits aggregation and alters eicosanoid metabolism in human blood platelets." Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 1995;52(4):223-227. doi:10.1016/0952-3278(95)90040-3
- McEwen BJ. "The influence of herbal medicine on platelet function and coagulation: a narrative review." Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 2015;41(3):300-314. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549089
- Liu AC, et al. "Curcumin alters the pharmacokinetics of warfarin and clopidogrel in Wistar rats but has no effect on anticoagulation or antiplatelet aggregation." Planta Medica, 2013;79(11):971-977. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1328652
- Fung FY, et al. "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the anti-haemostatic effects of Curcuma longa, Angelica sinensis and Panax ginseng." Phytomedicine, 2017;32:88-96. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2017.04.004
- Hu S, et al. "Interaction study between antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, thyroid replacement therapy and a bioavailable formulation of curcumin (Meriva)." European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 2018;22(15):5042-5046. doi:10.26355/eurrev_201808_15647
- Daveluy A, et al. "Probable interaction between an oral vitamin K antagonist and turmeric (Curcuma longa)." Therapie, 2014;69(6):519-520. doi:10.2515/therapie/2014062
- Kalla SN. "Recurrent subretinal hemorrhage in a patient taking a turmeric supplement: case report." Case Reports in Ophthalmology, 2025;16(1):297-301. doi:10.1159/000545076
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "Turmeric" (About Herbs). Updated June 9, 2026.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). "Turmeric". Updated April 2025.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). "Herb-Drug Interactions: What the Science Says". Clinical Digest, December 2024.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. "Blood Thinners". Updated June 27, 2024.
- MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. "Taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)". Reviewed January 1, 2025.
