Is Turmeric (haldi) safe during pregnancy?

Spices & herbs Also called Holud (Bengali); Pasupu (Telugu); Halad (Marathi); Anashina (Kannada); Haddar (Gujarati).

Supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy

NIH NCCIH says turmeric supplements may be unsafe in pregnancy; none of the pregnancy sources reviewed here addresses turmeric in cooking.[1]

What official sources say

NIH NCCIH: Herbs at a Glance: turmeric

  • The use of turmeric supplements during pregnancy may be unsafe.[1]

Related general rules

ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024

  • Spices such as turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, pepper and cloves are rich in antioxidants and can be part of a balanced diet. (p. 5) (general-population advice, not specific to pregnancy)[2]

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy312 kcal
Protein9.68 g
Fibre22.7 g
Sugars3.21 g
Iron55 mg
Calcium168 mg
Folate (DFE)20 µg
Folate, total20 µg
Vitamin A (RAE)0 µg
Vitamin C0.7 mg
Vitamin D0 µg
Vitamin B120 µg
Choline49.2 mg
DHA (omega-3)0 g
EPA (omega-3)0 g
Caffeine0 mg
Sodium27 mg

USDA FoodData Central: Spices, turmeric, ground (FDC ID 172231), per 100 g. Public domain. Values describe that USDA record; composition varies with variety and preparation.

Sources

  1. NIH NCCIH: Herbs at a Glance: turmeric · nccih.nih.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
  2. ICMR-NIN: Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024 · nin.res.in. Printed page 5. Paraphrased and cited by printed page; the text is not reproduced.

Sources checked 26 September 2026.

Quotes are checked word for word against each source page, and paraphrases against the original text. Official bodies are named as sources only: none of them reviewed or endorses this page.

Educational information, not medical advice. Your own doctor or midwife may advise differently for you — follow their advice.