Pharmaceutical side effects can be avoided by using effective herbal medicines instead. This article shares how turmeric can be used instead of omeprazole.
Digestive issues are one of the most common daily ailments, in fact, it is estimated gastrointestinal disorders account for about 10% of the clinical work of the NHS (1).
The application of herbs to aid digestive complaints has been tradition in some communities for millennia, for instance, we have records that show ginger has been used in traditional Asian medicine systems for over 5000 years (2). Across the world herbal medicines are still a very common way to treat digestive issues, and are especially prevalent in more traditional communities. Numerous ethnomedicinal studies have shown that globally the use of medicinal plants by these populations to treat digestive problems is still widespread (3).
Today, with an ever-growing body of research, it is an exciting time to celebrate herbs, their therapeutic actions, and their place in supporting better health alongside conventional medicine. In this article, we’re going to shine a light on the golden herb, turmeric, and delve into some recent clinical findings on how turmeric has shown efficacy in helping reduce symptoms of acid reflux.
Explaining the study
Omeprazole is commonly prescribed to remedy excess stomach acid, stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Omeprazole is categorised in a group of drugs called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) that works by inhibiting gastric acid secretion production which can cause acid reflux or heartburn (8).
The study, ‘Curcumin and proton pump inhibitors for functional dyspepsia: A randomised, double-blind controlled trial’ compared the efficacy of curcumin (Curcuma longa) one of the active chemical constituents in turmeric) versus omeprazole in improving patient-reported outcomes in people with dyspepsia (indigestion or stomach pain, common in patients with acid reflux).
The study involved 206 participants, of which 151 completed the study. The participants were divided into three groups:
- A group of 69 patients were administered two 250 mg capsules of curcumin four times a day, along with one small placebo capsule.
- A second group of 68 patients received one 20 mg omeprazole capsule and two large placebo capsules four times a day.
- A third group of 69 patients received a combination of two 250 mg curcumin capsules four times a day, along with one 20 mg omeprazole capsule.
The results showed that patients who took the curcumin were able to have the same symptomatic relief as those taking omeprazole. The salient finding was that curcumin and omeprazole, which both showed a comparable effect for functional dyspepsia, had no synergistic effect (5). This means that the two active drugs; curcumin and omeprazole, did not combine, resulting in a greater therapeutic effect. However, both drugs administered under clinically controlled conditions; delivered similar benefits to the patients in the trial.
The findings highlight some value in using herbs in one’s daily life, in both food and medicine, (the two are one and the same!). Some of the real benefits of using herbs, taken in recommended dosages, are that they are absorbed safely into the bloodstream and assimilated in the body gently, are very nutritious and very importantly, rarely leave unwanted side effects (14).
Unfortunately, although omeprazole is a widely prescribed drug, there are limitations to taking it and common side effects. Some of the common or very common side effects taken from the British National Formulary (BNF) guidelines (6) include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness, dry mouth, gastrointestinal disorders, headache, insomnia, nausea, skin reactions and vomiting. Uncommon side effects include bone fractures, confusion, depression, leucopenia and vision disorders. Rare or very rare side effects include alopecia, hallucination, liver disorders and severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs).
How does turmeric work
Curcumin, a lipophilic polyphenol (a fat-soluble type of antioxidant present in a variety of plants), is present in the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant (see figure 1) and it is this constituent that is responsible for turmeric’s vibrant, yellow colour.
Recent studies have hypothesised that curcumin could have direct regulative effects primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, where high concentrations of this polyphenol have been detected after oral administration. Consequently, it might be hypothesised that curcumin directly exerts its regulatory effects on the gut microbiota (7). Essentially, recent studies have found that safe traces of curcumin are being found in the gastrointestinal tract, and curcumin may be able to have a direct effect on the gut microbiota and function.
Curcumin is made from aromatic amino acids (8). Though curcumin is often heralded as the “hero” compound in turmeric, it is also rich in sesquiterpenes including anthraquinones, turmerone and carotene (9). Research shows turmeric is able to stabilise lysozymes, which are one of the key enzymes responsible for removing metabolic wastes in the liver cells (9).
Turmeric is reputed as a powerful antioxidant and can protect against damage by free radicals, specifically in the liver cell membranes (9) thus protecting the liver, and making it a useful hepatic herb in herbal medicine. This is relevant as the liver is one of the key organs in our digestive system, responsible for a multitude of functions including the processing of all carbohydrates, fats, and hormones, as well as assimilating what is eliminated as waste products and what gets absorbed back into the bloodstream. In most inflammatory conditions, free radical damage is normally present, as well as many other health issues. So, antioxidant-rich and liver supporting herbs such as turmeric are helpful to counteract this damage and may be a mechanism of action to counteract the irritation caused by stomach acid.
Further studies have shown that turmeric (or specifically the constituent, curcumin) can inhibit the production of certain inflammatory pathways known as Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), cytokines and COX-2 enzymes (all involved in the inflammatory response) and is on par effective with anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen (13:14).
Traditional use of turmeric and actions that make it useful for this health condition
Turmeric is native to South Asia and has been used extensively as a culinary spice and medicinal herb for thousands of years. Historically, turmeric has been documented widely to have been used in Ayurveda as well as traditional Chinese medicine. In India, it has been used to treat disorders of the skin, upper respiratory tract, and joints (12). Turmeric has been documented widely to treat a range of digestive issues including gallstones, liver disease, and jaundice (5).
Research today has found turmeric is still particularly revered for its anti-inflammatory properties, with the ability to down-regulate several inflammatory pathways (12), showing efficacy in both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, reducing swelling and joint pain.
Turmeric has also shown therapeutic potential in other inflammatory conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s’, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, and depression (11). When working with such serious conditions it is important to see a clinical herbalist and other healthcare practitioners that can recommend a personalised prescription. See our resources section to find a herbalist.
How to use turmeric
Taken as a food supplement (usually in capsule form), it is recommended to take up to 12g of turmeric root powder for three months to be safe (9). One must always be careful when buying supplements from the high street as they are often adulterated or of poor quality. You can learn more about this in our article “Herbal quality and safety: What to know before you buy”.
It is recommended to take turmeric with black pepper (specifically for the piperine constituent) which aids the absorption of curcumin into cells increasing the efficacy. Our gastrointestinal tracts need support with absorption whenever possible, so as an extra dietary advice, it is advised to take turmeric with oily foods such as coconut oil or olive oil for the best way for your body to process it.
Fresh turmeric root can be decocted (simmered on the stove in water for at least 20 minutes) as a soothing aromatic tea. Another popular delicious way of taking turmeric (my personal favourite) is by making a Golden Latte which is a great way to include some other immune strengthening and digestive supporting herbs such as ginger, cinnamon and cardamom.
Golden latte recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk (dairy or your favourite plant based milk)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
- 1 tsp ground ginger (or 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cardamom, or 2-3 cardamom pods, crushed
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon unrefined virgin coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey (optional)
Instructions
- Add the milk to a saucepan over low heat. Add turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and black pepper, whisk continuously until well combined.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, but do not boil. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes, whisking occasionally, until smooth and hot. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- If you used whole spices, strain the golden milk over a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids. Stir the coconut oil and honey/maple syrup (if using) into the milk. Taste and add more sweetness if needed. Find a cosy place to enjoy your golden latte!
Cautions with using turmeric
It is recommended to avoid using turmeric in bile duct obstruction, pregnancy, allergic hypersensitivity and in case of gallstones (15). If unsure if turmeric is safe to use alongside any health issues or medication, we would suggest you always consult a herbalist.
Personal experience with turmeric as a clinical herbalist
As a herbalist, I have seen turmeric (taken as a dried root capsule combined with black pepper and frankincense) help reduce pain, inflammation and GERD symptoms, specifically helpful for a patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who was also presenting with acid reflux. Within 8 weeks, I was able to help her reduce the daily intake of Ibuprofen by half with replacement of the turmeric capsules.
References
- Jones R, Hunt C, Stevens R, et al. Management of common gastrointestinal disorders: quality criteria based on patients’ views and practice guidelines. Br J Gen Pract. 2009;59(563):e199-e208. doi:10.3399/bjgp09X420761
- The amazing and mighty ginger – herbal medicine – NCBI bookshelf. Accessed October 20, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/.
- Cheema HS, Singh MP. The use of medicinal plants in digestive system related disorders- A systematic review. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2021;7(3):182-187. doi:10.31254/jahm.2021.7303
- Omeprazole: Search results. NICE. Accessed October 3, 2023. https://www.nice.org.uk/search?q=omeprazole.
- Kongkam P, Khongkha W, Lopimpisuth C, et al. Curcumin and proton pump inhibitors for functional dyspepsia: A randomised, double-blind controlled trial. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. 2023. doi:10.1136/bmj ebm-2022-112231
- BNF is only available in the UK. NICE. Accessed October 20, 2023. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/omeprazole/.
- Scazzocchio B, Minghetti L, D’Archivio M. Interaction between gut microbiota and curcumin: A new key of understanding for the health effects of curcumin. Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2499. doi:10.3390/nu12092499
- Rainha J, Rodrigues LR, Rodrigues JL. Microbial production of curcumin. Microbial Production of Food Bioactive Compounds. Published online 2022:1-35. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-81403-8_8-1
- Cabrera C. Holistic Cancer Care. Storey; 2023.
- Romm A. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. Elsevier; 2018.
- Owen M. Wolkowitz, Victor I. Reus & Synthia H. Mellon (2011) Of sound mind and body: depression, disease, and accelerated ageing, Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 13:1, 25-39, doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2011.13.1/wolkowitz
- McIntyre A. The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Definitive Guide to the Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine. Aeon Books; 2019.
- 13. Nicolle, L & Bailey, C. The Functional Nutrition Cookbook: Addressing Biochemical Imbalances through Diet Singing Dragon: 2013.
- 14. Shukla, G., Yadav, M., Kanade, U. L., Swamireddy, R. C., Junjipelly, A. K., & Kumar, C. S. Curcumet capsules: A Natural Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory Offers Similar Efficacy as NSAIDS without any Side Effect. MEJAST. 2020;3(3):01-08.
- 15. Brinker F. Herbal Contraindications and Drug Interactions Eclectic Medical Publications: 2010
- 16. McIntyre S. Exploring a rhizomic model for the design and dissemination of professional development in online teaching. Proceedings of the European Conference on e-Government, ECEG. 492-501: 2012.
