Curcuma longa
Turmeric
Curcumma longa, commonly known as turmeric, is a vibrant perennial plant belonging to the ginger family. Renowned for its bright orange rhizomes, it has been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Rich in curcumin, this powerful botanical offers potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties essential for holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Curcuma longa
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Zingiberaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Curcuma, specifically the species Curcuma longa.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Curcuma | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Curcuma longa, is widely recognized by various common names across different cultures and languages. In English, it is most commonly called Turmeric, though it is also revered as Sacred turmeric. In Telugu, the plant is known as పసుపు (pasupu), and it is also referred to by several other names such as హల్దీ (haldi), turmeric, హర్షద్రవ్యము (harshadravyamu), sacred spice, and హల్దీపుడి (haldipudi).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| te | పసుపు | Wikidata |
| en | Turmeric | Wikidata |
| te | హల్దీ, turmeric, హర్షద్రవ్యము, sacred spice, హల్దీపుడి | Wikidata |
| en | Sacred turmeric | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Guinea-Bissau and the Ivory Coast. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within the Congo and the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Additionally, the species is located within the Western Indian Ocean, notably in the Comoros. These various locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in different humid, tropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Curcuma longa, is a perennial herb where the most therapeutically significant part is the underground rhizome. While these structures are often colloquially referred to as the root, they are technically modified stems used for nutrient storage. The plant features large, vibrant green leaves that emerge from the base to facilitate photosynthesis. Although the primary medicinal value lies in the fleshy rhizomes, the entire underground system, including the fine fibrous roots, supports the plant's growth and survival in its natural habitat.- Total parts
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 104
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizome | 33 | ★★★★★ |
| rhizomes | 19 | ★★★★★ |
| root | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaves | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| turmeric | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Curcuma longa has 185 reported phytochemicals identified across 503 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include curcumin, Curcumin, curcuminoids, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin.
- Total chemicals
- 185
- Scientific sources
- 503
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| curcumin | 142 | ★★★★★ |
| Curcumin | 41 | ★★★★★ |
| curcuminoids | 27 | ★★★★★ |
| demethoxycurcumin | 16 | ★★★★★ |
| bisdemethoxycurcumin | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| flavonoids | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| ar-turmerone | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| diferuloylmethane | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| phenols | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| tannins | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
Activities
Curcuma longa has 52 reported activities identified across 262 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 52
- Scientific sources
- 262
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 74 | ★★★★★ |
| Anticancer | 25 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 20 | ★★★★★ |
| Antimicrobial | 18 | ★★★★★ |
| Neuroprotective | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| Antifungal | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Antiviral | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Chemopreventive | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antitumor | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Curcuma longa has 366 reported medicinal uses identified across 765 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, inflammation, oxidative stress, Alzheimer's disease, COVID-19.
- Total uses
- 366
- Scientific sources
- 765
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 44 | ★★★★★ |
| inflammation | 30 | ★★★★★ |
| oxidative stress | 25 | ★★★★★ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 22 | ★★★★★ |
| COVID-19 | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| antioxidant | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| breast cancer | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| obesity | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| arthritis | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| wound healing | 10 | ★★★★★ |