Common Name: Haridra, Haldi,
English Name: Turmeric
Botanical Name: Curcuma longa Linn.
Family: Zingiberaceae
Description: A perennial plant with roots or tubers oblong, palmate, and deep orange inside; root-leaves about 2 feet long. It is propagated by cuttings from the root, which when dry is in curved cylindrical or oblong tubers 2 or 3 inches in length yellowish externally, with transverse, parallel rings internally deep orange or reddish brown, marked with shining points forming a lemon yellow powder.
Chemical Constituents: Curcuma longa is the most chemically investigated species of Curcuma.To date, at least 235 compounds, primarily phenolic compounds and terpenoids have been identified.Their main components are curcumin (60%), desmethoxycurcumin, monodemethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin,dihydrocurcumin and cyclocurcumin. Curcumins oxidation yields vanillin. The essential oil (5.8%) obtained by steam distillation of rhizomes has a-phellandrene (1%), sabinene (0.6%), cineol (1%), borneol (0.5%), zingiberene (25%) and sesquiterpines (53%)[2,5]. Curcumin(diferuloylmethane) (3–4%) is responsible for the yellow colour, and comprises curcumin I (94%), curcumin II (6%) and curcumin III (0.3%). Demethoxy and bisdemethoxy derivatives of curcumin have also been isolated.
Properties: Curcumin, the primary active compound in turmeric root powder, has been reported to inhibit histamine release from mast cells.turmeric to treat some skin conditions, including acne and psoriasis. strong anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis properties of turmeric powder.Curcumin may provide an inexpensive, well-tolerated, and effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, recent research suggests. Clinical studies have substantiated that curcumin also exerts very powerful antioxidant effects. Curcumin improves liver function by reducing the levels of liver enzyme. Curlone obtained from dried rhizomes is used against hepatitis.
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