Curcuma
Curcuma, commonly known as turmeric, is a vibrant perennial plant celebrated for its potent medicinal properties. Renowned for its active compound, curcumin, this golden spice offers powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it supports immune health, aids digestion, and promotes overall holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Curcuma
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized within the order Zingiberales and the family Zingiberaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic classification falls under the genus Curcuma.
| 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, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In Poland, it is referred to as Ostryż, while in Russian and Belarusian, it is commonly called Куркума. In Tamil, the plant is known as கத்தூரி மஞ்சள், and in Estonian, it is called Kollajuur.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Ostryż | Wikidata |
| ru | Куркума | Wikidata |
| be | Куркума | Wikidata |
| ta | கத்தூரி மஞ்சள் | Wikidata |
| et | Kollajuur | Wikidata |
| ja | ウコン属 | Wikidata |
| bg | куркума | Wikidata |
| vi | Chi Nghệ | Wikidata |
| te | హరిద్ర | Wikidata |
| koi | Куркума | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern primarily centered within the tropical regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Guinea-Bissau and the Ivory Coast. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is documented in the Congo. Additionally, the species inhabits the islands located within the Gulf of Guinea. Finally, the geographical range reaches further into the heart of the continent within the DR Congo.
| 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 |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as turmeric, is highly valued for its therapeutic properties which are primarily concentrated in its underground structures. While many people refer to the edible portion as a root, botanically speaking, the medicinal components are found in the fleshy rhizomes. These horizontal rhizomes act as storage organs for curcumin, the active compound used in various treatments. Although the plant develops a complex network of smaller roots to anchor itself in the soil, it is the thick, golden rhizome that serves as the primary source of healing. Additionally, the large, green leaves of the Curcuma plant are often used in traditional practices and contribute to the overall health of the organism.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 13
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| curcuma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Curcuma has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include curcuminoids, Curcumin, D-limonene, ar-turmerone, bisdemethoxycurcumin.
- Total chemicals
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| curcuminoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Curcumin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ar-turmerone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bisdemethoxycurcumin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caryophyllene oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| curcumin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| curcumol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| curdione | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| curlone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Curcuma has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Curcuma has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include gastrointestinal disorders, amenorrhea, arthritis, cancer, dysmenorrhea.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gastrointestinal disorders | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amenorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysmenorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leprosy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |