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CLASSIFICATION

ORDER	: Zingiberales
FAMILY	: Zingiberaceae
GENUS	: Curcuma L.
SPECIES	: longa L.
BOTANICAL NAME	: Curcuma longa L.
SYNONYMS	: ---
COMMON NAME	: Turmeric
TAMIL NAME	: Manjal
HINDI NAME	: Haldi

PLANT DESCRIPTION

HABIT :  A tall herb with fleshy rhizomes, orange coloured.

LEAVES :  Large, oblong-lanceolate, base incurved, petioles long.

INFLORESCENCE :  Spikes

FLOWER :  Bracteate, bracts green tingled red, ovate, bracteoles many, flowers open one by one, petals tubular, short, dentate, corolla tube funnel-shaped, segments, oblong, concave. Stamen 1, staminodespetaloid, labellum orbicular. Ovary 3-celled, style slender, stigma 2-lipped.

FLOWERING AND FRUITING TIME :  February - April

MEDICINAL USES

It is a medicinal plant extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine as a home remedy for various diseases including biliary disorders, anorexia, cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorders, rheumatism, and sinusitis.

In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties including strengthening the overall energy of the body, relieving gas, dispelling worms, improving digestion, regulating menstruation, dissolving gallstones, and relieving arthritis.

Curcumin is the active ingredient in the traditional herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin has a surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity.

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