Curcuma longa Linn. 187
Dosage Rhizome—1—3 g powder. (CCRAS.)
Curcuma caesia Roxb.
Family b Zingiberaceae.
Habitat b Cultivated mainly in West
Bengal.
English Black Zedorary.
Ayurvedic 0 Rajani, Nishaa, Nishi, Raatri, Kaali Haldi, Nilkanth, Narkachura.
Unani Zarambaad.
Siddha/Tamil Manupasapu.
Action Carminative. Used externally for bruises and sprains.
The essential oil contains camphor as main constituent; others are camphane, bornylene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons.
Curcuma longa Linn.
Synonym C. domestica Valeton. Family Zingiberaceae.
Habitat Cultivated all over India, particularly in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra.
English Turmeric.
Ayurvedic Haridraa, Priyaka, Haridruma, Kshanda, Gauri, Kaanchani, Krimighna, Varavarnini, Yoshitapriyaa, Hattavilaasini, Naktaahvaa, Sharvari.
Unani Zard Chob.
Action Anti-inflammatory, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, blood-purifier, antioxidant, detoxifier and regenerator of liver tissue, antiasthmatic, anti-tumour, anticutaneous, antiprotozoal, stomachic, carminative. Reduces high plasma cholesterol. Antiplatelet activity offers protection to heart and vessels. Also protects against DNA damage in lymphocytes.
Key application In dyspeptic conditions. (German Comm ission E, ESCOR WHO.) As anti- inflammatory, stomachic. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)
The rhizomes gave curcuminoids, the mixture known as curcumin, consisting of atleast four phenolic diarylheptanoids, including curcumin and monodesmethoxycurcumin; volatile oil (3—5%), containing about 60% of turmerones which are sesquiterpene ketones, and bitter principles, sugars, starch, resin.
Curcumin related phenolics possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and hepatoprotective activities. The antioxidant activity of curcumin is comparable to standard antioxidants—vitamin C and E, BHA and BHT.
