Part of our Turmeric & Curcumin guide library.
Short answer: For most healthy people, turmeric used in cooking is not known to harm the kidneys. The main concern is oxalate: turmeric contains oxalate that is mostly water-soluble, and in a small study, supplemental doses of turmeric significantly raised urinary oxalate, a risk factor for kidney stones. Memorial Sloan Kettering notes that turmeric supplements may raise the risk of kidney stones. If you have had kidney stones, have kidney disease, or take tacrolimus, talk to your doctor before taking turmeric supplements.
Turmeric is usually discussed in terms of the liver, but people also search for whether it is bad, or good, for the kidneys. Here is what the research and health authorities say, who should be careful, and the signs that need a doctor.
What you'll learn
- Why oxalate is the main kidney concern with turmeric
- What a study found about turmeric and urinary oxalate
- Whether turmeric is good for your kidneys
- Who should check with a doctor first, and kidney stone warning signs
The main concern: oxalate and kidney stones
Oxalate is a natural compound in many plant foods. When urine contains high levels of calcium, oxalate and phosphorus, kidney stones can form (NIDDK).
In a randomized crossover study, 11 healthy adults took supplemental doses of turmeric and cinnamon for 4 weeks each, providing 55 mg of oxalate a day (Tang et al., 2008):
- Turmeric led to significantly higher urinary oxalate than cinnamon or the control.
- About 91% of the oxalate in turmeric was water-soluble, compared with 6% in cinnamon, which appeared to explain why more was absorbed.
- The authors concluded that supplemental doses of turmeric can significantly increase urinary oxalate and thereby the risk of kidney stones in susceptible people.
This was a small, short study in healthy people, and it measured urinary oxalate rather than actual kidney stones. It also used turmeric spice; we found no comparable studies on concentrated curcumin extracts, so if you are prone to stones, check with your doctor whatever form you take.
What health authorities say
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Memorial Sloan Kettering | Turmeric supplements may raise the risk of kidney stones. People predisposed to kidney stones should consult their physicians before using turmeric supplements, and people with a family history of stones should talk with their providers about turmeric and foods that contain it |
| Memorial Sloan Kettering | Do not take turmeric supplements if you take tacrolimus (Prograf), because curcumin supplements may increase its side effects |
| NIDDK | People who have had calcium oxalate stones may want to avoid high-oxalate foods such as nuts, peanuts, rhubarb, spinach and wheat bran, and should ask a health care professional about other sources |
Can turmeric damage your kidneys?
Serious kidney problems linked to turmeric are rare and come from case reports. In one, doctors diagnosed oxalate nephropathy (kidney damage from oxalate crystals) in a 69-year-old man who had been taking turmeric supplements long term, alongside chronic antibiotic treatment that caused diarrhea (Washington et al., 2024). Memorial Sloan Kettering also describes a case of acute kidney injury in a liver transplant recipient taking a calcineurin inhibitor who used large amounts of turmeric (Memorial Sloan Kettering).
Case reports cannot show how common a problem is, and these patients had other risk factors. They are a reason for caution if you already have kidney risks, not a reason for most people to avoid turmeric in food.
Is turmeric good for your kidneys?
There is not enough evidence to say turmeric supports kidney health. Research in people with kidney disease is limited; a 2022 review found only six controlled trials (Malekmakan et al., 2022). Kidney disease needs medical care, and turmeric supplements are not a substitute for it. If you have kidney disease, talk to your nephrologist before taking any supplement.
Turmeric, your liver and your kidneys
For the liver, the main concern is different: liver damage has been reported in some people taking turmeric or curcumin supplements, especially bioavailability-enhanced formulations. Stop and contact a health care provider if you notice fatigue, poor appetite, dark urine or yellowing of your skin or eyes (NCCIH). For more, see turmeric, piperine and your liver.
If you take turmeric and want to protect your kidneys
- Drink enough fluids. Drinking enough liquid, mainly water, is the most important step to prevent kidney stones, and many health care professionals recommend six to eight 8-ounce glasses a day unless your doctor has told you otherwise (NIDDK).
- Stick to the label amount. Do not combine several turmeric products or take more than the serving on the label.
- Ask first if you are at risk. That includes a past kidney stone, a family history of stones, kidney disease, or taking tacrolimus or other prescription medicines.
- Know the warning signs. See a health care professional right away for sharp pain in your back, side, lower abdomen or groin; pink, red or brown urine; pain while urinating or trouble urinating; or fever and chills (NIDDK).
For general safety guidance on daily use, see is it safe to take turmeric every day?
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: Turmeric is natural, so it is always safe for your kidneys. Reality: Turmeric contains soluble oxalate, and supplemental doses raised urinary oxalate in a study, which matters for people prone to kidney stones.
Myth: Turmeric in food will give you kidney stones. Reality: The concern is mainly with supplemental doses in susceptible people. People with a family history of stones should still talk with their providers about turmeric foods.
Myth: Turmeric detoxes or cleanses the kidneys. Reality: There is no good evidence for this. Kidney disease needs medical care.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is turmeric bad for your kidneys?
For most healthy people, turmeric in food is not known to harm the kidneys. Turmeric supplements may raise the risk of kidney stones because turmeric contains soluble oxalate, so people with a history of stones or kidney disease should ask a doctor first.
Is turmeric good for your kidneys?
There is not enough evidence to say so. Research in people with kidney disease is limited, and turmeric is not a substitute for medical care.
Can turmeric cause kidney stones?
It may raise the risk in susceptible people. In a small study, supplemental doses of turmeric significantly increased urinary oxalate, a known risk factor for calcium oxalate stones.
How much oxalate is in turmeric?
In one study, the supplemental turmeric dose provided 55 mg of oxalate a day, and about 91% of turmeric oxalate was water-soluble, which makes it easier to absorb than the oxalate in cinnamon.
Can I take turmeric if I have had kidney stones?
Talk to your doctor first. Memorial Sloan Kettering advises people predisposed to kidney stones to consult their physicians before using turmeric supplements.
Related guides
- Is it safe to take turmeric every day?
- Turmeric, piperine and your liver
- Can turmeric cause diarrhea or constipation?
- When is the best time to take turmeric?
- 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. Talk to your doctor before taking turmeric supplements if you have had kidney stones, have kidney or liver disease, take tacrolimus or other prescription medicines, or are pregnant. Seek medical care right away for severe pain in your back, side or groin, blood in your urine, fever and chills, or trouble urinating.
References
- Tang M, Larson-Meyer DE, Liebman M. "Effect of cinnamon and turmeric on urinary oxalate excretion, plasma lipids, and plasma glucose in healthy subjects." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008;87(5):1262-1267. doi:10.1093/ajcn/87.5.1262
- Washington O, et al. "Oxalate nephropathy and chronic turmeric supplementation: a case report." Jornal Brasileiro de Nefrologia, 2024;46(1):99-106. doi:10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2023-0079en
- Malekmakan L, et al. "Efficacy and safety of turmeric dietary supplementation on proteinuria in CKD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT." Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases, 2022;16(3):153-161. PubMed 35714209
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. "Turmeric" (About Herbs). Updated June 9, 2026.
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). "Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Kidney Stones".
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). "Symptoms & Causes of Kidney Stones".
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). "Turmeric". Updated April 2025.
