Temulawak (Curcuma zanthorrhiza): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Temulawak work to protect the liver?

Temulawak exerts hepatoprotective effects primarily through its active compound xanthorrhizol, which demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It modulates detoxification enzymes and protects liver cells (hepatocytes) from oxidative stress caused by toxins. Additionally, the presence of curcumin helps regulate bile secretion. Evidence Level C supports these mechanisms, indicating that while promising results exist in preclinical studies, more human clinical trials are required to fully map these pathways.

Does Temulawak interact with any medications?

Yes, Temulawak may interact with medications metabolized by the liver. Because it influences cytochrome P450 enzymes, it can alter the breakdown of certain prescription drugs. Due to its choleretic (bile-stimulating) effects, it may also interact with drugs that affect bile flow. Patients taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs should exercise caution, as curcuminoids may increase bleeding risk. Always consult a physician before combining herbal supplements with pharmaceuticals.

What is the recommended dosage for Temulawak?

The standard adult dosage for Temulawak is 500-1000mg of standardized extract taken daily. In traditional Indonesian Jamu medicine, 5-15g of fresh rhizome is often brewed into a decoction. Dosage may vary depending on the specific health condition being addressed, such as liver support versus digestive complaints. Users should adhere to product label instructions or seek guidance from a qualified medical herbalist.

Is Temulawak safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Temulawak is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb stimulates uterine contractions and increases bile flow, both of which pose risks during gestation. Traditional contraindications strictly advise against its use by pregnant women. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data regarding infant exposure. Consult a healthcare provider for safe alternatives during pregnancy.

Who should not take Temulawak?

Individuals with bile duct obstruction or gallstones should not take Temulawak. Because the herb stimulates bile secretion, it can exacerbate blockages or cause gallstone colic. It is also contraindicated for patients with severe liver damage without professional supervision. While generally well-tolerated, those with scheduled surgery should discontinue use two weeks prior due to potential blood-thinning effects.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Temulawak (Curcuma zanthorrhiza), also known as Javanese turmeric, is a member of the Zingiberaceae family used traditionally in Indonesia for its diverse pharmacological properties [PMID:34194529, PMID:38239285].

Background

Curcuma zanthorrhiza Roxb. is a perennial herb with tuberous rhizomes originating from Indonesia, specifically Java Island [PMID:35883772, PMID:38239285]. It is a key ingredient in jamu, the traditional medicine of Indonesia [PMID:34194529].

Traditional uses

It is traditionally used to treat lack of appetite, stomach disorders, liver illness, constipation, bloody diarrhea, dysentery, arthritis, children's fevers, hypotriglyceridaemia, hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, rheumatism, skin eruptions, and inflammation in postpartum uterine bleeding [PMID:34194529, PMID:16158967].

Active compounds

The plant contains over 40 active compounds, including curcuminoids (such as curcumin), sesquiterpenoids (notably xanthorrhizol, alpha-curcumene, and beta-curcumene), terpenoids, phenolic compounds, essential oils, and polysaccharides [PMID:34194529, PMID:37427032, PMID:8157222, PMID:17587672].

Mechanism of action

Curcumin may act as a SIRT1 activator and NF-κB inhibitor, while xanthorrhizol can function as an IκB inhibitor [PMID:37427032]. Xanthorrhizol has been shown to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells by up-regulating p53 and Bax [PMID:16158967] and inhibiting the migration of triple-negative breast cancer cells by suppressing matrix metalloproteinases via the NF-κB signaling pathway [PMID:38838716]. Polysaccharide extracts (CPE) increase phagocytosis of macrophages and the release of NO, H2O2, TNF-alpha, and PGE2 [PMID:17587672].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DHepatotoxicity (Liver Damage)

Extract of C. xanthorrhiza significantly reduced acute elevation of serum transaminases and alleviated liver damage induced by acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride in mice [PMID:8571920]. A polyherbal extract containing C. zanthorrhiza reduced CYP450 expression and ALT/AST levels in rats with TB drug-induced liver injury [PMID:40540653].

Evidence CObesity

Temulawak demonstrated strong inhibitory effects (exceeding 50%) on pancreatic lipase activity in both in vitro and in vivo studies [PMID:39852154].

Evidence DHypertriglyceridemia

In rats, essential oils and hexane-soluble fractions of C. xanthorrhiza lowered hepatic and serum triglyceride concentrations and reduced hepatic fatty acid synthase activity [PMID:8157222].

Evidence BOsteoarthritis (Canine)

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of P54FP (extract of Indian and Javanese turmeric) was conducted to assess efficacy and safety in dogs with elbow or hip osteoarthritis [PMID:12723628].

Evidence DCancer (In Vitro)

Xanthorrhizol and rhizome extracts showed cytotoxic activity and induced apoptosis in HeLa cervical cancer cells [PMID:25920236, PMID:16158967, PMID:36532858] and inhibited migration/invasion of MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells [PMID:38838716].

Safety & adverse effects

Toxicity predictions indicate that active compounds like curcumin and beta-curcumene are relatively nontoxic [PMID:37427032]. A zebrafish acute toxicity study of a Jamu formulation containing Temulawak showed no mortality up to 800 mg/L and no significant signs of stress or anxiety [PMID:42116688].

Drug interactions

In rats, co-administration of C. xanthorrhiza extract (18 mg/kg BW) significantly increased the area under the curve (AUC) of R- and S-warfarin [PMID:34062109].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), with some review articles (Level C) and one veterinary clinical trial (Level B). Human clinical data is lacking in the provided abstracts.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37346311 (2022) — Classification of Curcuma longa and Curcuma zanthorrhiza using transfer learning. · PeerJ. Computer science
2.PMID: 34194529 (2021) — Javanese Turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.): Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Biotechnology, and Pharmacological Activities. · Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3.PMID: 35883772 (2022) — Bioactive Compounds from the Zingiberaceae Family with Known Antioxidant Activities for Possible Therapeutic Uses. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 37427032 (2023) — Computational evaluation of bioactive compounds in Curcuma zanthorrhiza targeting SIRT1 and NFκB. · Biotechnologia
5.PMID: 33401775 (2021) — Water-in-Oil-in-Water Nanoemulsions Containing Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb) and Red Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Extracts.

Temulawak

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Temulawak

Aralia Elata

Xiao Yao San Patent

Centaury European

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Temulawak

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Temulawak

Related Herbs

Aralia Elata

Xiao Yao San Patent

Centaury European

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Drug interactions

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources