Turmeric & Ginger Anti-Inflammatory Cream
A golden emulsified cream pairing turmeric and ginger's traditional anti-inflammatory reputation with a rich shea base for achy joints.
Benefits
Ingredients
- Distilled water — 150ml
- Emulsifying wax — 20g
- Turmeric-infused oil — 30ml
- Ginger-infused oil — 20ml
- Shea butter — 20g
- Black pepper essential oil — 8 drops
- Preservative — 2g
Instructions
- Heat water phase (water) and oil phase (wax, infused oils, shea) separately to 70–75°C.
- Pour water phase into oil phase while stirring continuously.
- Blend with a stick blender until creamy and emulsified.
- Cool to 40°C, then add essential oil and preservative.
- Pour into sanitised jars.
Notes
Turmeric will stain light fabric and some plastics — use glass jars.
Interactions & contraindications
Distilled water
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Distilled water in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Distilled water itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Distilled water in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Emulsifying wax
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Emulsifying wax in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Emulsifying wax itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Emulsifying wax in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Turmeric-infused oil
Full profile- Active liver disease — monitor liver enzymes with long-term use
- Diabetes medications — may enhance hypoglycaemic effect; monitor blood glucose closely
Pregnancy
Use CautionCulinary/food use is well established as safe. Concentrated turmeric/curcumin supplements are generally advised against in pregnancy — turmeric has a traditional reputation as an emmenagogue and uterine stimulant at medicinal doses.
Breastfeeding
Likely SafeNormal culinary use is considered compatible with breastfeeding; limited data on concentrated supplement doses.
Children
Likely SafeCulinary amounts are fine for children; concentrated curcumin supplements aren't well studied in children and are typically avoided without pediatric guidance.
Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel)
Curcumin has antiplatelet activity; increases bleeding risk when combined.
Diabetes medications
May enhance blood-sugar-lowering effects.
Stomach acid reducers / gallbladder disease
Stimulates bile production and can worsen gallstone symptoms.
Ginger-infused oil
Full profile- Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response
Pregnancy
Likely SafeOne of the best-studied herbs for pregnancy — widely used and generally recommended in typical culinary/tea doses (up to ~1g/day) for morning sickness. Very high doses are usually advised against in the final weeks due to a theoretical mild antiplatelet effect.
Breastfeeding
Likely SafeCommonly used in normal culinary amounts; no significant concerns documented in typical use.
Children
Likely SafeWidely used in diluted tea or crystallized form for children's nausea and stomach upset; well tolerated in age-appropriate amounts.
Blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin)
Mild antiplatelet activity may add to bleeding risk at high doses.
Diabetes medications
May have an additive blood-sugar-lowering effect.
Shea butter
Full profileNo herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Shea butter in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Shea butter itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Shea butter in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Black pepper essential oil
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Black pepper essential oil in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Black pepper essential oil itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Black pepper essential oil in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Preservative
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Preservative in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Preservative itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Preservative in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.