Turmeric + Black Pepper
Turmeric root is the most-bought herbal supplement in South Africa. Its main compound, curcumin, is poorly absorbed on its own; black pepper extract (piperine) is the classic way to help the body take it up.
Ten spices in capsules. What the research says, and where it runs out.
Plain-language guides to South Africa’s most popular spice supplements, with honest evidence ratings and the cautions other labels leave off. And, if you want them, our own single-spice capsules.
Turmeric
Curcuma longa with Piper nigrum
Ginger
Zingiber officinale
Cinnamon
Cinnamomum verum
Garlic
Allium sativum
Moringa
Moringa oleifera
Black seed
Nigella sativa
Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Cayenne
Capsicum annuum
Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera (root)
Capsules coming soon
Saffron
Crocus sativus (stigma)
Capsules coming soon
Start with the evidence
Every guide rates the research on a four-step scale. Most spices are promising but unproven, and we say so.
SpiceMost studied forEvidence
Turmeric + Black Pepper
Knee joint comfort, liver fat markers, mouth irritation during cancer care
Moderate
Ginger
Pregnancy nausea, period cramps, knee joint comfort
Moderate
Garlic
Cholesterol, blood pressure
Moderate
Ashwagandha
Stress, sleep
Moderate
Saffron
Low mood, premenstrual symptoms
Moderate
Black Seed
Blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure
Mixed
Fenugreek
Blood sugar, breast-milk supply
Mixed
Ceylon Cinnamon
Blood-sugar balance
Limited
Moringa
Nutrition, blood sugar, blood pressure
Limited
Cayenne
Energy expenditure, appetite
Limited
Read before you buy
- Why turmeric is paired with black pepperCurcumin is poorly absorbed on its own. Here is what piperine does, how much is used, and why "more absorbable" also means "stronger".
- Ceylon vs cassia cinnamon: the difference that mattersMost cinnamon in South African shops is cassia, which can contain a thousand times more coumarin than Ceylon. Here is how to tell them apart.
- How to read a supplement label in South AfricaWhat the SAHPRA disclaimer means, which claims are allowed, and the details every bottle should carry.
- Spice supplements and your medicinesA quick reference to which spice capsules may interact with blood thinners, diabetes, blood-pressure and thyroid medicines.
- How we source and test our spicesFrom farm to bottle: where our powders come from, what we test every batch for, and who fills our capsules.
What goes in our bottles
- One spice per capsule, with the Latin name and plant part on the label
- Whole-root turmeric, not high-dose extract
- Ceylon cinnamon only, never cassia
- Lab-tested for heavy metals and microbes, with results for every batch number
- Plant-based capsules, filled by a licensed manufacturer in Gauteng
Popular right now
Ginger
Ginger root is the best-supported spice for queasiness, especially the nausea of early pregnancy. It is gentle, familiar and inexpensive.
Ceylon Cinnamon
Most cinnamon sold in South Africa is cassia, which is high in coumarin. We only use Ceylon ("true") cinnamon, which contains only traces, making it the safer choice for daily capsules.
Moringa
Moringa is the fastest-growing herbal supplement in South Africa and is grown locally. The leaf is nutrient-dense, but trials so far show little measurable effect on blood sugar, cholesterol or weight.