SHAHEED KARTAR SINGH SARABHA AYURVEDIC MEDICAL COLLEGE & HOSPITAL

Haridraa

Botanical Name: Curcuma longa Linn.

Family:   Zingiberaceae 

Introduction : It used for skin diseases& prameha. it is considered as an important anti diabetic and anti-oxidant drug.

Scientific Classification : Gingers make up the family Zingiberaceae in the order Zingiberales. The flavoring ginger is classified as Zingiber officinale, East Indian arrowroot as Curcuma angustifolia, and tumeric as Curcuma longa. The banana belongs to the family Musaceae and is classified as Musa paradisiaca. The traveler’s tree, classified as Ravenala madagascariensis, and the bird-of-paradise flower, classified as Strelitzia reginae, belong to the family Strelitziaceae (sometimes Musaceae). The false bird-of-paradise belongs to the genus Heliconia of the family Musaceae (sometimes Heliconiaceae)

Names in different Indian languages :

English : Turmeric

Hindi : Haldi

Kannada : Arisina

Malayalam : Mannal,manjal,varattu mannal, pachamannal

Sanskrit : Haridraa

Tamil : Manzal

Telugu : pasupu

Unani : Zard Chob

Synonyms :

Priyaka, Haridruma, Kshanda, Gauri, Kaanchani, Krimighna, Varavarnini, Yoshitapriyaa, Hattavilaasini, Naktaahvaa, Sharvari,Curcuma  domestica Val.

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata :

Charaka : Lekhaniya, Kustaghna, Kandaghna, Krmighna, Sirövirecana

Susrutha : Haridrãdi, Mustädi,

Vagbhata : Haridrãdi, Mustädi,

Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)  :

1. C. Domestica

2. Amragandhi Haridra (Karpura Haridrã)

3. Vana Haridrã

Morphology :

Annual herb; root stock large, ovoid; sessile tubers thick, cylindrical, bright yellow inside.

Leaves— long petiole; oblong, narrow at the base.

Flower— bracts pale green; flowers as long as the bracts, pale green. Flowers during rainy season.

Distribution & Habitat :

Cultivated throughout India.

Chemical constituents :

1% volatile oil, resin, curcumin is responsible for its colour. Turmeric oil has a peculiar odour and taste. Curcumene, Curcumenone, curcone, curdione, cineole, curzerenone, epiprocurcumenol, eugenol, camphene, camphor, borneol, procurcumadiol, procurcumenol, curcumins, ukonan A, B & D, sitosterol etc.

Properties :

Rasa : Tikta, Katu

Guna :  Rüksa, Laghu

Virya :  Usna

Vipaka :  Katu

Karma : Kapha-vãtahara, Lekhana, Visaghna, Varnya

Anti-inflammatory, anti diabetic, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, blood-purifier, antioxidant, detoxifier and regenerator of liver tissue, antiasthmatic, anti-tumour, anticutaneous, antiprotozoal, stomachic, carminative

Indication :

Prameha, Kusta, Krimi, Kandu, Vrana, Pãndu, Kãmalã

Diabetes, skin disease, skin disease, fungal infection, wounds, ulcers, anaemia, jaundice, epilepsy, syphilis

Part used :

Rhizome

Dosage :

Fresh juice 10-20 ml, powder 2-4 g.

Important Yogas  or  Formulations :

Haridrã Khanda, Vrana södhana tailam ,Nisamalaki,Haridrãdidhüma varti

Therapeutic Uses :

1. Vyanga— Haridra and Rakta Cañdana are made into paste with buffalo’s milk and applied externally (R.R.S.).

2. Slipada & Dadru Kutha— Haridra powder is taken with jaggery and Cow’s urine (V.M. & B.P.).

3. Pitameha— Haridrã and Dãruharidrã Kasãya (S.S.Ci. 11).