Study links turmeric, Ashwagandha and green tea ‘herbal supplements’ to liver damage

Have an injury? Add some haldi to milk and sip on it. Want to lose weight? Oh, drinking green tea is wonderfully helpful. Looking to improve the quality of your sleep and reduce stress levels? Ashwagandha Is the answer. As generic, well-meaning and seemingly harmless this advice may seem at first glance, research suggests that it couldn’t be further from the truth.

In our quest for natural wellness, many of us turn to herbal remedies, entrusting our health to the power of botanicals like turmeric and green tea. However, if you see a loved one indulging in botanical supplements that they claim are perfectly safe (without running it past a healthcare professional first), you may do well to swat that thing right out of their hands.

A recent survey by the University of Michigan reveals a concerning trend: while these herbs can offer benefits, their misuse poses significant threats to our liver.

According to the survey, approximately 18.6 million people in the United States regularly use herbal remedies that have the potential to harm the liver. These findings highlight a growing reliance on plant-based supplements for health management. In moderation, herbs like green tea and turmeric can indeed support our well-being. Yet, when consumed in concentrated forms, such as capsules, the risk of overdosing increases, leading to a rise in hospitalisations due to herbally-induced liver problems globally.


Using data from 9,685 participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers identified the six most commonly consumed herbal products. These include supplements used to treat high cholesterol, depression, and pain. Disturbingly, these are also the products most frequently implicated in liver injury. Over the past two decades, the rate of drug-induced liver injury from these supplements has nearly tripled, rising from 7 percent in 2004 to 20 percent by 2014.

Among the botanical products associated with severe and sometimes fatal liver injury are turmeric, kratom, green tea extract, and Garcinia cambogia. Diagnosing liver injury can be challenging until it becomes severe, with symptoms such as fatigue, low appetite, and weight loss. In advanced cases, the liver's inability to process bilirubin leads to jaundice, characterised by a yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, popularly known as The Liver Doc, also took to his X handle to comment on this topic. He shared the experience he had with one of his patients, where the consumption of a BCAA supplement likely harmed their liver possibly because of ingredients like curcumin — known to have liver toxic properties. He called for doctors to check for the complete list of ingredients in the medicines and supplements they prescribe while being especially wary of modern medicine products with herbal components.

Evidently, a glaring problem here is that the safety and efficacy of herbal and dietary supplements remain poorly established, primarily due to the lack of stringent regulatory requirements by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlike conventional medications, these supplements do not undergo rigorous human pharmacokinetic or prospective clinical trials before reaching the market. A similar problem exists in India, as well.


Meanwhile, the study showed that the use of herbal supplements is more prevalent among individuals with chronic medical conditions like arthritis and diabetes. These users tend to be older, more educated, and have higher incomes compared to those who do not use these supplements. Many turn to turmeric-containing products for joint health or arthritis, driven by the belief in turmeric's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, multiple randomised clinical trials have shown no efficacy of turmeric-containing products in treating osteoarthritis.

Similarly, despite widespread media attention, clinical research has found no significant impact of Garcinia cambogia on weight loss or green tea extract on overall health. A 2019 study using spectroscopic analysis further revealed discrepancies between the contents of these supplements and their labels, raising additional concerns about their safety.

The safest approach to maintaining health is through a balanced diet that provides necessary nutrients. Supplements should only be used to address diagnosed deficiencies and under medical guidance. For those who choose to use herbal supplements, it is crucial to keep healthcare providers informed. This ensures that any adverse reactions can be promptly and effectively addressed.