A recent health scare involving a woman whose daily use of turmeric supplements nearly led to fatal liver failure is raising alarms about the potential dangers of herbal supplements—a warning for Thai consumers as interest in natural remedies steadily grows. The case, reported by multiple news outlets in July 2025, details how a seemingly healthy 57-year-old woman began experiencing mild abdominal pain, progressing to nausea, dark urine, extreme fatigue, and eventually jaundice—signs of acute liver damage. Doctors later traced her condition to a high-dose turmeric supplement she had begun taking for joint pain, sparking a wider discussion about supplement safety and regulation.
The significance of this case resonates not only with those using dietary supplements in Thailand but also with the broader global community, as turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a staple ingredient in both Asian cuisines and traditional medicine. Many Thais, familiar with turmeric in food and herbal remedies, may assume its supplements are just as safe. However, the surge of concentrated, high-dose turmeric products—often combined with black pepper extracts to “enhance absorption”—has led to a growing body of evidence cautioning against indiscriminate use.
According to the detailed account first published by NJ Advance Media and confirmed in coverage by outlets such as NBC News and The New York Post, the woman purchased a bottle of turmeric capsules labeled “enhanced absorption with black pepper,” containing a recommended daily dose of 2,250 milligrams. This is well above the World Health Organization’s suggested intake of 0–3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day. The product’s manufacturer and retailer did not respond to requests for comment, and while some brands—like Costco’s Kirkland—include liver health warnings on labels, many others do not (see: NBC News report, NY Post report).
Her ordeal highlights critical gaps in supplement oversight. Laboratory tests and scans failed to identify her liver injury until her symptoms reached a crisis. She required hospital admission for severe acute hepatitis, and her doctors at NYU Langone Medical Center noted her liver enzyme levels were “60 to 70 times above the normal limit,” with yellowing of the skin and eyes—classic signs of impending liver failure. Fortunately, prompt withdrawal of the supplement and intensive medical care stabilized her condition, averting a transplant.
Medical researchers are increasingly documenting similar cases. A 2024 report in the journal ‘Clinical Liver Disease’ specifically cites turmeric-induced liver injury as a rare but real phenomenon, emphasizing the lack of standardized regulation for herbal supplements and the dangers of high-dose usage. According to compendia like PubMed, the synergistic effect of curcumin with black pepper (piperine) greatly increases curcumin absorption, which may inadvertently raise the risk of toxicity, especially in susceptible individuals (Turmeric-Induced Liver Injury, 2024).
Expert testimonies from hepatologists such as Dr. Nikolaos Pyrsopoulos, who treated the patient, underscore a concerning pattern: “We see three to four liver transplants a year due to turmeric-induced injury.” This trend is corroborated by recent analyses of adverse events related to popular “liver cleansing” and anti-inflammatory supplements (PubMed, 2025). These figures may underrepresent the actual problem, as many liver injuries go undiagnosed or unreported.
For the Thai context, the parallels are especially relevant. Turmeric has a revered place in Thai traditional medicine (สมุนไพรไทย), used in food (แกงเหลือง, ผัดขมิ้น), as a topical remedy, and as a folk treatment for digestive issues. However, the increasing popularity of imported or online-ordered supplements—often at concentrations much higher than culinary use—can put consumers at unforeseen risk. According to Thailand’s Department of Medical Sciences and Food and Drug Administration, adverse effects from dietary supplements have seen a slow but steady increase over the past decade, with liver toxicity among the most commonly reported issues (Thai FDA annual report, 2023).
In a 2023 joint survey by the Ministry of Public Health and leading Thai hospitals, nearly 48% of supplement users stated they never consulted a healthcare professional before starting a new substance, instead relying on internet advice or social recommendations. Worryingly, the same survey found almost no awareness of potential side effects associated with turmeric or other herbal products, especially when consumed in extract or capsule form (Bangkok Post reporting, 2023).
Medical experts caution that, like any concentrated bioactive compound, turmeric can interact with medications (such as blood thinners and diabetes drugs), exacerbate gallbladder conditions, and—in rare instances—trigger liver inflammation. While most culinary uses are considered safe, the problem arises with supplements that deliver multi-gram doses, especially when combined with substances like black pepper extract that significantly raise curcumin levels in the blood (Wikipedia: Turmeric/Curcumin side effects, Times of India report).
Data monitoring trends in Thailand suggest that the elderly, women, and those with pre-existing liver or metabolic conditions may be most at risk. The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Thai adults has reached roughly 32%, and even a minor insult from a supplement could tip an undiagnosed liver into acute distress (Thai Liver Foundation statistics, 2023). Yet, regulation is still catching up—many supplements available in markets and online shops do not carry explicit warnings, and few undergo batch testing for contaminants or dosage accuracy.
Historically, Thais have valued herbal wisdom, but the move toward industrialized extracts and influencer-driven supplement fads introduces new pressures. In the wake of the woman’s case, doctors are urging greater vigilance. Research papers emphasize the importance of baseline liver tests before starting herbal supplements, as well as recognizing early warning signs—yellowing of eyes or skin, unexplained fatigue, nausea, and dark urine.
Looking ahead, the global market for turmeric supplements shows no signs of slowing, with sales driven by claims of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and “liver protective” benefits. Yet experts warn these benefits are, at best, modest, and not substantiated for high-dose extracts. Randomized studies and reviews consistently find curcumin’s bioavailability in its natural form to be low, and most purported health effects do not translate from laboratory to human populations (Wikipedia: Curcumin).
In response to such cases, calls are mounting for stricter supplement regulations—mandatory liver warning labels, standardized dosage, and better reporting systems for adverse effects. Thai regulators and practitioners have an opportunity to adopt a more proactive stance, following examples set by countries like Australia and the European Union, which require evidence of safety prior to market entry.
For Thai readers considering turmeric or any supplement, the advice is clear: consult a qualified healthcare professional first. Avoid self-prescribing high-dose herbal products, especially from unverified sources. Be aware that “natural” does not always mean safe—particularly in concentrated form or when mixed with other potency-boosting ingredients like piperine.
The recent near-fatal case is a reminder that even familiar traditions require caution in a modern context. Thai consumers should seek products approved by the Food and Drug Administration, heed dosage advice, and monitor for symptoms if beginning any new supplement.
For worried supplement users, timely medical attention—especially if experiencing nausea, jaundice, dark urine, or fatigue—can be life-saving. As the health sector works toward better oversight and public awareness, individual caution is the best first defense against preventable supplement-induced injury.
Sources: SILive/NJ.com report, NBC News, Turmeric-Induced Liver Injury, PubMed, 2024, Curcumin Side effects, Wikipedia, Thai FDA, Times of India