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Turmeric is a plant species within the Zingiberaceae family(ginger family). A distinction is made between Curcuma longa (country of origin India) and Curcuma. zanthorrhiza (country of origin Southeast Asia). Turmeric has large ovate leaves that are between 20 and 45 cm long. The stem can grow up to 1.20 m high. The flowers are yellow in the case of Curcuma longa, and pupur red in the case of Curcuma zanthorrica. Curcuma longa flowers in August.
Both species, Curcuma longa and Curcuma xanthorrica are used phytotherapeutically.
The tuberous to finger-shaped, yellow rhizomes, i.e. underground shoots of the plants, are used phytotherapeutically. When pulverised, the rhizomes produce a pungent spice which is used, for example, as the main ingredient in curry powder.
Ingredients: The curcuma rhizome contains 3 to 12 % essential oil, including sesquiterpenes, xanthorrhizol, and beta-curcumen. The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Other ingredients include dicinnamoylmethane derivatives, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and caffeic acid derivatives.
