Family : Zingiberaceae

English : Turmeric

Hindi : Haldi, Halda

Gujarati : Haldar

Sanskrit : Haridra, Varavarnini

Part used : Rhizome

Botanical Description: A perennial herb, 60-90 cm in height, with a short stem and tufts of erect leaves, rhizome cylinderical – ovoid, orange coloured and branched ; leaves simple, very large, petiole as long as the blade, oblong lanceolate, tapering to the base upto 45 cm long ; flowers pale yellow in spikes concealed by the sheathing petioles, flowering bracts pale green. Flowering and fruiting from January to April
It is found throughout India

Modern Pharmacological Action: Curcuma longa is antiandrogenic in nature and thus inhibits the prostate enlargement. It also possesses anti inflammatory activity.