Curcuma longa

Synonyms

Family Zingiberaceae

Distribution & Propagation

Throughout India (Maharasthra Tasabada 8. Bengal) cultivated It is propogated by rhizomes in farms as condiment crop

Description

A perennial herb, 60-90 cm in height, with a short stern and tufts of erect leaves, rhizome cylindric,ovoid, orange coloured and branched; leaves simple, very large, petiole as long as the blade. oblong-lanceolate, tapering to the base upto 45 cm long. flowers pale yellow in spikes concealed by the sheathing petioles. flowering bracts Pale green. Flowerring – fruiting January to April.

Chemical Constituents

The rhizome contains carbohydrate. vitamin A, iron. resin. yellow pigment, curcumin, and essential oil consisting of sesguiterpenes, zingiberene, D – a – phellandrene, turrnerone dehydroturmerone. Yana a – alanto lactone. curcumene cineol,

Parts Used      Rhizomes (dried as well as fresh)

Properties

Rhizomes – bitter. acnd. astringent. pungent. aromatic, thermogenic, emollient, blood purifier. anodyne,anti-inllarnmatory, vulnerary. depuratrve. antiseptic. appetiser, carminative, stomachic. anthelmintic,iaxative. diuretic, expectorant, haematinic, styptic, wti periodic, alterative, alexetenc. detergent, stimulant,febrifuge, ophthalmic and tonic.

Usages

Rhizomes – are useful in vitiated conditions of Kapha and Pitta, inflammations, ulcers, wounds. leprosy,skin diseases, pruritus, allergic conditions and discolouration of the skin, anorexia, dyspepsia,flatulence, colic, helminthiasis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, constipation, strangury. coughs, asthma, bronchitis,hiccough. catarrh, anaemia, haemorrhages. haernoptysis, hepatomegaly, spenomegaly. fever,giddiness, urethrorrhea, elephantiasis, dropsy, hysteria, epilepsy, chronic otorrhoea. ringworm.gonorrhoea, spermatorrhoea. arnenorrhcea, jaundice, coniunctivitis, general debility and promote healthy pancreas.