- Curcuma aromatica
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Curcuma aromatica Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Monocots Order: Zingiberales Family: Zingiberaceae Genus: Curcuma Species: C. aromatica Binomial name Curcuma aromatica
Salisb.Curcuma aromatica (common name: wild turmeric) is a member of the Curcuma genus belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. Botanically close to Curcuma australasica, wild turmeric has been widely used as a cosmetic herbal in South Asia and nearby regions.
Nomenclature
- Common name in English: wild turmeric, aromatic turmeric
- Hindi: जंगली हल्दी jangli haldi
- Manipuri: লম যাঈঙাঙ lam yaingang
- Gujarati: zedoari
- Tamil: கஸ்தூதி மஞ்ஜள் kasturimanjal
- Malayalam: കസ്തൂരി മഞ്ഞൾ / കാട്ടുമഞ്ഞൾ kasthoori manjnjaL / kaaTTu manjnjaL
- Telugu: kasthuri pasupa
- Kannada: kasthuri arishina
Wild turmeric has rhizomes with a peculiar fragrance and attractive deep yellow color. The rhizomes are often used in cosmetic herbal medicines and as a culinary ingredient in limited quantities as a food flavor. Leaves are broad and very decorative, elliptic with a leaf stem running as long to the tip of the blade. A fresh stalk with flowers and leaves, cut to proper size and shape, can be used as a floral indoor decoration in vase for up to 10 days.
Wild turmeric is recognised as a medical herb with strong antibiotic properties. It is believed to play a role in preventing and curing cancer in Chinese medicine. In an effort to remove cell accumulations such as a tumors, Curcuma aromatica is often used. There are two species commonly used in cancer therapy that, like ginger, have a spicy taste.It contains aromatic volatile oils that help to remove excessive lipids from the blood, reduce aggregation of platelets (sticking of the blood cells to form masses), and reduce inflammation.
Habitat
This species is found in the south Asian region, predominantly in eastern Himalayas and in the warm forests of the Western Ghats (India).
Life cycle
The wild ginger is one among the 80 members of Zingiberaceae family of plants. The perennial foliage dies down in late autumn and the rhizomes remain dormant in winter. The inflorescence appears in early spring from the base of the rhizomes. During summer monsoon season and the immediately following weeks, the plant grows fast and vigorously. The stalk grows to about 20–30 centimetres (7.9–11.8 in) tall, and is crowned with enlarged coloured bracts with pink tips. Leaves often appear even after the flowers. When in full growth the plants can reach a height of about 40 cm (16 in) tall.
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