Is It Safe To Take Black Turmeric vs Black Ginger Together?
Turmeric and ginger are two common kitchen spices, but beyond seasoning and flavoring, both offer significant health benefits. Notably, they have strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties when used in proper doses and under medical guidance. But can you take black turmeric and black ginger together, and are there any health risks involved? This article will answer all your questions—don’t miss out!
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Key Takeaways
- You can use black turmeric and black ginger together in the proper doses, but please consult a doctor for personalized guidance.
- Black turmeric and black ginger both provide antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits, boost immunity, and improve digestion.
Is Black Ginger vs. Black Turmeric the Same?
Although both belong to the ginger family, black turmeric and black ginger are entirely different plants, often confused due to their similar appearance and color.
Black ginger (Distichochlamys, or Kaempferia parviflora rhizome) originates from Southeast Asian countries like Laos and Thailand, where it has been used as an effective anti-inflammatory ingredient for over a thousand years. Black turmeric (Curcuma caesia), on the other hand, is commonly found in the tropical forests of India and is widely valued in Ayurvedic medicine for digestive and respiratory health.
About Black Turmeric
What Is Black Turmeric?
Black turmeric is a rare herb native to Asian countries, and its population is gradually decreasing. It typically grows in tropical, high-humidity rainforests and is easy to recognize by its distinctive appearance.
The plant has dark green, blue, or black rhizomes with a primary root and many smaller roots averaging 2-5 cm in length, sprouting from the main root. The leaves have purple streaks interwoven with green, and the rhizome flesh is thick, fibrous, and moist, ranging in color from dark green to light blue, cobalt, or turquoise, depending on soil and moisture conditions. Black turmeric has a strong aroma with a mildly spicy, bitter flavor.
Black Turmeric Benefits
Rich in nutrients, black turmeric offers a range of health benefits, such as:
- Anti-inflammatory: Black turmeric contains curcuminoids and demethoxycurcumin, which effectively reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Immune Support: With abundant antioxidants, black turmeric protects the body from harmful agents and helps regulate immune responses to minimize allergies.
- Digestive Health: Curzerene and epicurzerene in black turmeric aid in digestion and nutrient absorption, alleviating digestive issues like bloating, ulcers, and indigestion.
- Cognitive Health: Curcumin in black turmeric supports brain function, improves memory, and helps decline age-related cognition.
- Skin Health: The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of black turmeric help reduce acne, inflammation, eczema, scarring, and hyperpigmentation.
- Blood Sugar Regulation: Curcumin in black turmeric helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Additionally, black turmeric supports liver and kidney function, reduces menstrual discomfort, dissolves blood clots, enhances respiratory health, and reduces mouth ulcers.
About Black Ginger
What Is Black Ginger?
Black ginger is a health-supporting ingredient that has been used in Thailand for over a thousand years in various forms, including powder, tea, and infused liquor. In traditional Thai medicine, black ginger reduces allergies, asthma, impotence, gout, diarrhea, dysentery, ulcers, and diabetes [1].
Identifiable by its brown skin and dark purple flesh, black ginger has a strong aroma and a slightly bitter, astringent taste. Mature plants can grow up to one meter tall, with dense leaves in a round canopy and bright purple or yellow flowers. Black ginger plants have multiple branches, slender stems, and long, green leaves. They are typically harvested six months after planting, from November to April each year.
Black Ginger Benefits
Black ginger offers a wide range of impressive health benefits, often surpassing regular ginger, such as:
- Fat Metabolism Support: Gingerols and shogaols in black ginger promote efficient fat burning, reducing fat storage while providing adequate energy for the body.
- Brain Health: Black ginger’s natural warmth improves blood circulation, and its antioxidants help protect brain function.
- Blood Sugar Stability: Black ginger stabilizes blood sugar levels by inhibiting enzymes that affect carbohydrate metabolism and improving insulin sensitivity.
- Anti-Aging Properties: Black ginger’s rich antioxidants help fight environmental damage that accelerates skin aging.
- Digestive Relief: Chewing a small piece of black ginger can alleviate digestive discomfort, reduce bloating, and improve digestion.
- Joint Pain Relief: Black ginger’s strong anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce joint pain and stiffness.
Table Comparison: Differences Between Black Ginger and Black Turmeric
|
Black Ginger |
Black Turmeric |
|
|
Appearance |
- Brown skin - Purple-black flesh (or just purple) |
- Brown or slightly yellow skin - Purple-blue (or just blue) flesh, arranged in concentric circles |
|
Taste and Aroma |
Mild aroma & slightly astringent |
Quite pungent aroma & quite bitter and mixed with a bit of spiciness |
|
Nutritional Composition |
Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, kaemgalangol A, Flavonoids, minerals (such as iron, manganese, zinc...), kaempsulfonic acid... |
Curcumin, Curcuminoid, Flavonoids, Protein, fiber, minerals (such as iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium...), carbohydrates… |
|
Health Benefits |
Anti-inflammatory, boost the immune system, enhance physical performance and muscle endurance… |
Anti-inflammatory, boost the immune system, improve memory and cognitive function, combat oxidative stress and neutralize free radicals… |
|
Uses in Traditional Medicine |
Help inflammation, ulcers, gout, colic, and abscesses |
Help snake and scorpion bites, skin disorders, respiratory health and digestion |
|
Culinary Uses |
Teas, smoothies, cocktails, savory dishes… |
Adding flavour and colour for soups, stews, sauces, marinades… |
|
Potential Risks and Considerations |
High doses may cause stomach upset, diarrhea, heartburn, mouth or throat irritation, and dizziness |
High doses may cause stomach pain, nausea, dizziness or diarrhea |
|
Availability and Accessibility |
Asia, particularly in Thailand and Laos |
In many parts of India |
Combined Benefits Of Black Ginger And Black Turmeric
Black Turmeric vs. black Ginger For Healthy Inflammatory Response
Black ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory phenolic compounds like 6-gingerol and 6-school [2, 4]. Black turmeric, on the other hand, is rich in curcumin, curcuminoids, vitamin C, and vitamin E, which provide potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [3, 4]. Together, they offer enhanced protection from environmental irritants, including dust, sunlight, and pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
Black Turmeric vs. black Ginger For Digestive Support
The 5,7-dimethoxyflavone in black ginger [5] and curcumin in black turmeric [6] exhibit excellent anti-inflammatory properties, promoting gut health by balancing gut flora and limiting harmful bacterial overgrowth. This combination helps maintain healthy digestion, reducing the risk of bloating, indigestion, and acid reflux.
Black Turmeric Vs Black Ginger For Cognitive Function
Black turmeric is rich in polyphenols, especially curcumin, which strengthens brain function and helps cognitive decline [7]. Black ginger, meanwhile, supports mental health by regulating cholinesterase activity and synapse signalling through ERK/CREB activation (extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB)), improving memory and cognitive function [8]. Combining both can provide even more excellent brain protection and memory enhancement.
Black Turmeric Vs Black Ginger For Cancer
The polyphenolic compound curcumin in black turmeric helps inhibit cancer cell growth without harming healthy cells. It also blocks receptor enzyme activity associated with epidermal growth factor, halting further growth of damaged cells.
Black ginger, containing bioactive phenolic compounds like gingerol, paradol, and shogaol, has similar antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and anticancer effects. Together, they may help target cancers such as breast, prostate, colon, blood, and pancreatic cancer [9].
Is It Safe to Take Black Turmeric and Black Ginger Together?
Yes, black turmeric and black ginger can be taken together. Both belong to the ginger family, sharing properties like anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. Recent research has even shown that combining ginger and turmeric produces a synergistic effect—where the combined benefits exceed the impact of each ingredient on its own [10].
However, since both have a bitter, slightly pungent taste, combining them with a bit of black pepper can improve the flavor. While there are no official guidelines on the exact dosage of black turmeric and black ginger when combined, suggested doses are 500–2,000 mg/day of black turmeric (not exceeding 9 months) [11, 13] and 500–3,000 mg/day of black ginger (up to 12 weeks) [12].
How To Get Black Ginger Vs Black Turmeric In Your Diet
There are many ways to enjoy black turmeric and black ginger daily, such as:
- Brewing tea with fresh or powdered black turmeric and ginger.
- Adding black turmeric and ginger powder to dishes like stews, soups, sauces, and roasted vegetables.
- Mixing turmeric into smoothies or drinking it daily.
- Using topical gels or aromatherapy oils.
Due to the undeniable benefits of combining black ginger and black turmeric, many manufacturers now offer supplements in capsule or tablet form, allowing users to easily take both ingredients daily with meals.
Conclusion
With the information provided in this article, we hope readers have a clearer understanding of the properties and benefits of black turmeric and black ginger, how to differentiate them, and whether black turmeric and black ginger can be used together. In general, black turmeric and black ginger offer complementary health benefits when combined in moderate doses. For safety, consult a healthcare professional before adding these supplements to your routine.
References
- [1] Toda, K., Shoketsu Hitoe, Takeda, S., & Shimoda, H. (2016). Black ginger extract increases physical fitness performance and muscular endurance by improving inflammation and energy metabolism. Heliyon, 2(5), e00115–e00115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2016.e00115.
- [2] Zhou, X., Afzal, S., Wohlmuth, H., Münch, G., Leach, D., Low, M., & Li, C. G. (2022). Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ginger and Turmeric Extracts in Inhibiting Lipopolysaccharide and Interferon-γ-Induced Proinflammatory Mediators. Molecules, 27(12), 3877–3877. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123877.
- [3] Raslan, M. A., Raslan, S. A., Shehata, E. M., Mahmoud, A. S., Sabri, N. A., Alzahrani, K. J., Alzahrani, F. M., Halawani, I. F., Azevedo, V., Lundstrom, K., & Debmalya Barh. (2024). Different modalities to manage rheumatoid arthritis: an A to Z story. Future Science OA, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.2144/fsoa-2023-0134.
- [4] Zhou, X., Afzal, S., Wohlmuth, H., Münch, G., Leach, D., Low, M., & Li, C. G. (2022). Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ginger and Turmeric Extracts in Inhibiting Lipopolysaccharide and Interferon-γ-Induced Proinflammatory Mediators. Molecules, 27(12), 3877–3877. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123877.
- [5] Rattiporn Boonnop, Paranee Meetam, Lawan Siangjong, Patoomratana Tuchinda, Piyanut Thongphasuk, Sunhapas Soodvilai, & Sirima Soodvilai. (2023). Black ginger extract and its active compound, 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, increase intestinal drug absorption via efflux drug transporter inhibitions. Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 50, 100500–100500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dmpk.2023.100500.
- [6] Turmeric Benefits. (2024, June 20). Hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/turmeric-benefits.
- [7] Tsai, I-Chen., Hsu, C.-W., Chang, C.-H., Tseng, P.-T., & Chang, K.-V. (2021). The Effect of Curcumin Differs on Individual Cognitive Domains across Different Patient Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pharmaceuticals, 14(12), 1235–1235. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph14121235.
- [8] Lim, S., Moon, M., Oh, H., Kim, H. G., Kim, S. Y., & Oh, M. S. (2014). Ginger improves cognitive function via NGF-induced ERK/CREB activation in the hippocampus of the mouse. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 25(10), 1058–1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2014.05.009.
- [9] Zheng, J., Zhou, Y., Li, Y., Xu, D.-P., Li, S., & Li, H.-B. (2016). Spices for Prevention and Treatment of Cancers. Nutrients, 8(8), 495–495. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8080495.
- [10] Zhou, X., Afzal, S., Wohlmuth, H., Münch, G., Leach, D., Low, M., & Li, C. G. (2022). Synergistic Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ginger and Turmeric Extracts in Inhibiting Lipopolysaccharide and Interferon-γ-Induced Proinflammatory Mediators. Molecules, 27(12), 3877. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123877.
- [11] Meixner, M. (2018, June 11). Turmeric Dosage: How Much Should You Take Per Day? Retrieved October 28, 2024, from Healthline website: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turmeric-dosage.
- [12] GINGER: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. (2018). Webmd.com. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-961/ginger.
- [13] TURMERIC: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. (2022). Webmd.com. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric.
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