WHITE TURMERIC: ONE PLANT, MULTIPLE BENEFITS

Rhizomes of white turmeric

Scientifically known as Curcuma zedoaria, white turmeric is a rhizomatous perennial herb from ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Although it is native to Eastern Himalaya, it is widely cultivated in India, China, Indonesia and other Asian and European countries due to its medicinal value. It was introduced to Europe by the Arabs around the sixth century.

NAMES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English: White turmeric, Zedoary, Indian arrowroot, round zedoary; Hindi: Kachoor, Kachura; Sanskrit: Kalpaka, Krachura, Shati, Vedhamukhya; Urdu: Jadwar khatta, Kachoor; Bengali: Sutha, Suthi, Sati; Malayalam: Adavikachholam, Koova; Marathi: Kachura; Tamil: Kastori-manjal, Kichili, Kizhangu, Poolankilangu; Telgu: Kachoeramu, Kachoram, Kichili-gaddalu; Burmese: Thanu-wen; Chinese: E’shu, E’zhu, Yu jin

 

Plants growing in District Hamirpur (H.P.)

PLANT MORPHOLOGY

Flowers develop before the appearance of leaves

White turmeric is a perennial rhizomatous (having rhizomes) herb growing to a height of 120 cm. Many fibrous adventitious roots arise from the rhizomes (underground stem). Rhizome is highly branched, white, or pale in colour, cylindrical and aromatic. Many leaves arise from the rhizomes. The leaves are distichous (arranged alternately in two rows) and long-petioled. They are divided into leaf sheath, petiole and lamina or leaf blade. The leaf sheaths form pseudostems (false stem). The lamina of each leaf is oblong to elliptic and about 60-115 cm in length and 25-45 cm in breadth. Lamina has a prominent midrib. The inflorescence, a spike, arises directly from the rhizome before the emergence or along with emergence of leaves. It measures about 10-18 cm in length. The flowers are pale-yellow, covered by pinkish bracts, bisexual and zygomorphic. Three sepals are white, fused and with unequal calyx teeth. Three petals are bright-yellow and fused to form a corolla tube up to 3 cm long. Out of six stamens, only the median stamen of the inner circle is fertile (5 are converted into staminodes). Carpels are three and fused.

 A freshly uprooted single clump of rhizome

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

The tuberous rhizomes of white turmeric are fleshy, aromatic, white or pale-coloured and bitter and camphoraceous in taste. It contains a considerable number of phytochemicals and the major components isolated from the rhizomes include curzerenone (zedoarone), curdione, curzeone, aerugidiol, epicurcumol, curzerene, pyrocurcuzerenone, curcumin, curcumenol, isocurcuminol, curcumenone, zedoaronediol, furanodienone, isofuranodienone, furanodiene, zederone, comosone II, zerumin A, isoprocurcumenol, curcumanolide A, curcuzedoalide, calcaratarin A, 13-hydroxygermacrone, curcolone, zerumbone epoxide, germacrone, etc.

MEDICINAL USES

White turmeric or Kachoor was extensively used in the traditional healthcare system in India and other Asian countries during medieval times. It is still used for the treatment of sore throat, colds, fever, and indigestion in rural India, especially in the hills. Numerous phytochemicals present in the rhizomes are responsible for their medicinal properties. Some of the medicinal uses are discussed below:

 

Sliced rhizomes for shade drying

1. Cures Sore Throat: The pieces of rhizome can be kept in the mouth for quick relief from throat irritation.

2. For Respiratory Problems: Rhizomes can the boiled and used as a tea for the cure of respiratory diseases such as colds, asthma, and cough.

3. Helps with Digestion: It is widely used to treat indigestion, colic, spasms, loss of appetite, removal of worms, and flatulence.

4. Relieves Inflammation: It has a strong anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of TNF- α) and NO synthesis. It is also considered to be useful in ulcerative colitis.

5. For Fever: It is considered to be useful in fever.

A farmer from Sirmaur (H.P.) selling kachoor in Shimla

6. Antimicrobial Activity: The rhizome extract has shown potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Cornyebacterium spp., Candida sp., Aspergillus sp., etc.

7. Analgesic Property: Curcumenol and dihydrocurdione present in its rhizome have painkiller activity like aspirin.

8. Anti-Allergic Activity: Curcuminoids present in the rhizome exhibit anti-allergic activity by inhibiting the activity of inflammatory proteins and by preventing release of chemicals that initiate allergic reactions.

9. Anti-Tumour and Anti-Cancer Properties: Some studies on cancer cell lines (breast, ovarian and lung) have shown that curcuminoids, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin present in white turmeric have anti-tumour and anti-cancer activity.

10. Antioxidant Activity: Essential oils present in the rhizome have free radicals scavenging properties.

Sliced and dried rhizomes for use 

11. Management of Blood Sugar: It is believed that taking 2-3 grams of dried rhizome is useful in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

12. Liver Protectant: Phytochemicals such as furanodiene, germacrone, curdione, curcumenol, aerugidiol, zedoarondiol, curcumenone and curcumin are reported to be hepatoprotective.

13. Decreases Alcohol-Induced Drunkenness: Curcumenone increases liver alcohol dehydrogenase activity and decreases the elevation of blood alcohol level.

14. Cholesterol Lowering Property: Clinical studies in Pakistan has shown that consumption of tea prepared by boiling 1.5 g powdered rhizome in 200 ml water for two months lowered the body weight, BMI, LDL, triglycerides, and increased the HDL in moderately hypercholesterolemic patients.

TOXICITY: Not reported in any study.

 

Freshly harvested crop

CULTIVATION

White turmeric is cultivated throughout India. It thrives best in well-drained sandy or clay loam soils with enough organic matter. The land is well prepared during May and brought to a fine tilth by giving three-four ploughings. Well-decomposed farmyard manure or compost can be added during the ploughings or as a basal dressing by spreading over the beds. Planting is done by forming ridges and furrows. The whole or split mother and finger rhizomes are used as planting material. They are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm (about 1.31 ft) from each other either during the pre-monsoons or at the onset of monsoons. The crop becomes ready for harvesting in November when the leaves turn light brown in colour and finally dry. The rhizomatous clumps are carefully lifted with a spade during harvesting. The harvested rhizomes are collected and cleared of all the extraneous matter.