Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11.. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.
The claim
Posts online say that curcumin (turmeric) helps with asthma.
Where research stands
We found 58 published papers on curcumin (turmeric) and asthma. They were published between 1997 and 2026. 3 of them are studies in people. 3 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 46 were studies in animals, and 1 was only in cells in the lab. 3 papers are reviews that sum up other studies. 1 paper was retracted.
- 3In people3 with a comparison group
- 46In animals
- 1Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Curcumin (turmeric) has been tested in randomised trials in people with asthma.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Evaluation of oral nano-curcumin efficacy on respiratory function and quality of life in patients with bronchial non-atopic asthma: A randomized controlled trial.2024 · Avicenna J Phytomed · Randomised trial
- Curcuma longa L. ameliorates asthma control in children and adolescents: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.2019 · J Ethnopharmacol · Randomised trial
- Oral curcumin supplementation in patients with atopic asthma.2011 · Allergy Rhinol (Providence) · Randomised trial
- Curcumin in Inflammatory Complications: Therapeutic Applications and Clinical Evidence.2025 · Int J Mol Sci · Review
- Vesicular Systems Containing Curcumin and Their Applications in Respiratory Disorders - A Mini Review.2017 · Pharm Nanotechnol · Review
- Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in allergy.2008 · Mol Nutr Food Res · Review
- Curcumin loaded solid lipid nanoparticles ameliorates poly (I:C)-induced exacerbation of allergic asthma.2026 · Tissue Cell · In animals
- Curcumin Retains Anti-Inflammatory Effects Despite IDO Inhibition-Associated Neutrophilic Shift in OVA-Induced Rat Model.2026 · Biomolecules · In animals
- Extracellular vesicles targeting EGFR inhibit MAOA expression and activity by delivering curcumin for the treatment of asthma.2026 · Nanomedicine (Lond) · In animals
- Intranasal Curcumin and N-Acetyl l-Cysteine (NAC) Attenuates Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)-Aggravated Airway Inflammation by Targeting Ferroptosis via Nrf-2/GPx4-SLC7A11.2026 · Environ Toxicol · In animals
- Curcumin modulates tracheal epithelial cell autophagy in asthma by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway via SCGB3A2.2025 · Mol Immunol · In animals
- DES/O microemulsion for solubilizing and delivering curcumin via the nasal administration to treat acute asthma.2024 · Int J Pharm · In animals
- Assessing the potential of liposomes loaded with curcumin as a therapeutic intervention in asthma.2018 · Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces · In the lab
- Modulation of steroid activity in chronic inflammation: a novel anti-inflammatory role for curcumin.2008 · Mol Nutr Food Res · RetractedRetracted
- Pulmonary Delivery of Curcumin and Beclomethasone Dipropionate in a Multicomponent Nanosuspension for the Treatment of Bronchial Asthma.2021 · Pharmaceutics · Other paper
- Randomized, placebo controlled, double blinded pilot superiority phase 2 trial to evaluate the effect of curcumin in moderate to severe asthmatics.2021 · BMC Pulm Med · Other paper
- Curcumin-loaded niosomes downregulate mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory markers involved in asthma: an in vitro study.2020 · Nanomedicine (Lond) · Other paper
- Yoga for back pain, cranberry for cystitis prevention, soy isoflavones for hot flashes, curcumin for pre-diabetes, and breathing retraining for asthma.2013 · Explore (NY) · Other paper
