Turmeric (Curcuma) from India
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), a plant native to India that belongs to the family of ginger plants, has been considered sacred for more than 5,000 years. The ancient Indian Vedas scriptures indicate that the "yellow root", or "Indian saffron", has long been one of the country's most important spices. In Ayurvedic tradition as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the root is still believed to have important medicinal and therapeutic uses, and has warming, cleansing, and stimulating properties. In Europe, different types of yellow root have also been known to serve as liver and gall bladder remedies since ancient times. Turmeric is one of the most well-researched plants in the world, with most scientific interest focussing on the plant's unique curcuminoids. However, other components of the root (such as essential oils and tumerosaccharides) are increasingly becoming the focal point of research.
