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Curcuma longa
Curcuma longa L., (= Curcuma domestica Valeton), turmeric, Zingiberaceae, considered to be a native of the Indo-Malayan region, is one of the very useful species of plants. The species occurs in India almost entirely only under cultivation. It is also cultivated in West Africa. It is vegetatively propagated from the rhizomes. Flowering (Curcuma longa2) is rare, which frustrates the plant breeder.
The rhizomes (Curcuma longa3) are powdered and widely as a spice and condiment in many Indian foods. Turmeric powder is both a dye (substitute for saffron) and a flavouring agent. The leaves (Curcuma longa1) are used as wraps for food, which acquires the flavour of the leaves, on steam cooking.
Turmeric has a characteristic odour due to the presence of several essential oils. It is also a source of the yellow dye curcumin and the aromatic turmeric oil, which is actually a combination of several essential oils.
The traditional use of turmeric as an antiseptic is age old in India. It has been in very wide use by women in skin care, particularly to discourage facial hair and acne.
The rhizome powder is antimicrobial. It is used as a wash in eye infections and skin diseases. It also has anthelminthic, antiprotozoal (against Entamoeba hystolytica) and a repellent of ants. An extract of the rhizome promotes secretion of bile and is considered as an antioxidant. However, the most popular use of turmeric is for its anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.
The therapeutic importance of turmeric has attracted international attention, leading to patents in the U.S., later withdrawn on pressure from India
The dye from turmeric is also used to colour fibre and leather.
The choice of the correct name for this species has been dilly-dallying between Curcuma longa and Curcuma domestica.
The photographs, Curcuma longa1, Curcuma longa2 & Curcuma longa3, show the leaves, an inflorescence and young rhizomes and roots, and the dried rhizomes which are the source of turmeric powder. (See Disinfecting Water1 & Disinfecting Water2, and the accompanying profile).