Curcuma longa Linn.(Khamin Chan)

Medicinal Plants in Thailand.

Curcuma longa Linn.
ZINGIBERACEAE
Turmeric
Thai name : Khamin Chan

Erect, terrestrial, perennial herb, 30-90 cm high; rhizome tuberous, orange-yellow, aromatic. Leaf sim­ple, alternate distichous, lanceolate, 12-15 cm wide, 30-40 cm long. Inflorescence in terminal, cylindrical spike on apex of rhizome; peduncle surrounded by sheaths of leaves; flowers pale yellow with light green or whitish bracteoles. Fruit capsule, globose, 3-lobed.
Fresh and dried rhizome: treatment of peptic ulcer, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence; contains vola­tile oil, curcumin, etc. Volatile oil dispels stagnant gas from stomach and intestine. Curcumin and p-tolylcarbinol Increases the peptic and bile juice for digestion. Curcumin inhibits gas produced by bacteria, stimulate mucous secretion to coat the stomach and promotes the healing of peptic ulcer. Curcumin also inhibits bacterial growth, clinical trials proved effectiveness equal to antibiotics. Dose: two 250 mg capsules 4 times a day after meals and at bedtime. Caution: high dose of curcumin (two times of therapeutic dose) may cause ulcer in the stomach. Externally used for itching and infected wounds. Prepa­ration: mix dried powder with water or grind fresh rhizome with water and apply to the wound.

Traditional use :
Fresh and dried rhizome : carminative, treatment of peptic ulcer and dyspepsia ; external use for itching and infected wound.

By: Medicinal Plants in Thailand
Volume 1