Turmeric / Haldar (Curcuma longa Linn.)

"Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) is a perennial herbaceous plant known for its vibrant yellow rhizomes, commonly used as a spice, dye, and medicinal remedy. Belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, Its active compound, curcumin, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

Turmeric Scientific Name

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Monocots
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Curcuma
Species: Curcuma longa

Turmeric Common Name

English: Turmeric
Sanskrit: Haridra, Nishā
Hindi: Haldi
Tamil: Manjal
Telugu: Pasupu
Bengali: Halud
Marathi: Halad
Malayalam: Manjal

Turmeric Uses

Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief - Used for treating arthritis, muscle pain, and inflammatory skin conditions.

Skin and Wound Healing - Applied topically to aid wound healing, treat eczema, psoriasis, and fungal infections.

Digestive Health - Helps stimulate appetite, soothes bloating, supports healthy digestion, and eases discomfort by acting as a natural carminative.

Liver and Metabolic Support - Known to support liver detoxification and manage conditions like fatty liver disease.

Immune and Respiratory System - Used in formulations to enhance immunity and manage coughs, colds, and asthma.

Antioxidant and Anti-cancer Potential - Curcumin shows potential in reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting tumor cell proliferation in experimental studies.

Phytochemical Constituents

The major bioactive compounds found in turmeric include:

Curcuminoids: Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin
Volatile Oils: Turmerone, Atlantone, Zingiberene
Other Compounds: Flavonoids, Tannins, Saponins, Polysaccharides
Minerals: Iron, Potassium, Manganese

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Part I, Vol. I, Govt. of India, Ministry of AYUSH.

Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia, Vol. I (1998), Joint publication of RRL, Jammu & IDMA, Mumbai.

Gupta, S.C., Patchva, S., & Aggarwal, B.B. (2013). "Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials." AAPS Journal, 15(1), 195–218.

Ammon, H.P.T., & Wahl, M.A. (1991). "Pharmacology of Curcuma longa." Planta Medica, 57(1), 1–7.

Lao, C.D., et al. (2006). "Dose escalation of a curcuminoid formulation." Clinical Cancer Research, 12(4), 1207–1211.

European Pharmacopoeia, 10th Edition, Council of Europe.

Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L., & Chopra, I.C. (1956). Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR, New Delhi.

Williamson, E.M. (2002). Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Churchill Livingstone.