| Turmeric - Curcuma longa | | | | ingredient used to flavor and color curries and some |
| COMMON NAMES | | | | prepared mustards. It is often recommended as a |
| Turmeric, Haldi, Jiang huang | | | | substitute for saffron, a more expensive spice, and its |
| LATIN NAME | | | | oil is sometimes used to manufacture perfume. |
| Curcuma longa | | | | Turmeric has long served as orange-yellow-textile dye |
| FAMILY | | | | in |
| Zingiberaceae | | | | East Asia. During the late 19th century, "turmeric paper" |
| PART USED | | | | was used in laboratories around the world to test for |
| Rhizome | | | | alkalinity before being replaced by litmus paper. |
| DESCRIPTION | | | | MEDICINAL USES |
| A perennial, turmeric grows up to five feet tall, with a | | | | Turmeric is highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine, |
| short stem. The rhizome is thick, knobby, and yellowish | | | | especially as a remedy for jaundice and digestive |
| orange inside. Leaves are large and oblong with | | | | problems. In recent decades, scientific studies have |
| maroon bands on both sides of the midrib. Flowers are | | | | confirmed these historic uses. Turmeric has been |
| yellowish white with pink bracts. | | | | shown to lower cholesterol and to thin blood. Its |
| HABITAT | | | | principal constituent, curcumin, helps protect the liver |
| Turmeric is indigenous to India and southern Asia and is | | | | against a number of toxic substances by inhibiting |
| cultivated throughout Asia. It needs well-drained soil and | | | | cytochrome 4501A, a type of enzyme involved in the |
| a humid climate. | | | | activation of several toxins. Curcumin also increases |
| FOLKLORE AND TRADITIONAL USES | | | | bile flow, relieves indigestion, and helps prevent the |
| Turmeric features in many ancient Malaysian myths | | | | formation of cholesterol gallstones in the |
| and Indian ceremonies. One tale indicates it has the | | | | gastrointestinal tract. Turmeric can be used in a paste |
| power to repel crocodiles. Mentioned in the Bible, | | | | externally to treat psoriasis and athlete's foot. |
| turmeric is a popular culinary spice and is the principal | | | | |