Botanical Name : Curcuma caesia
Family : Zingiberaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/189
Introduction
Curcuma caesia, commonly known as black turmeric, is a perennial herb featuring a bluish-black rhizome.
Names in different languages
Hindi : Kali Haldi
Marathi : Kala-haldi
Telugu : Nalla Pasupu
Bengali : Kala haldi
Assamese : Kalahaladhi
Morphology :
Plants have a short stem with large oblong leaves. It bears ovate pyriform or oblong, ovate or cylindrical rhizomes, which are often branched and brownish yellow in color
Distribution and habitat :
The plant originates from India and South-East Asia. It grows in rich humid and clayey soils among them curcuma longa. It is widely cultivated as a medicinal plant in Southeast Asian countries. In India it is found in west Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh.
Chemical constituents :
camphor, ar-turmerone, (Z)-ocimene, ar-curcumene, 1,8-cineole , elemene , borneol , bornyl acetate and curcumene
Uses : In the traditional system of medicine, fresh and dried rhizomes of Curcuma caesia are used in treating leucoderma, asthma, tumours, piles, bronchitis, bruises etc. Curcuma caesia has scientifically studied for various therapeutical activities like antioxidant, antibacterial, antipyretic, larvicidal, insecticidal, antimicrobial, wound healing and anti-hyperglycaemic
Properties
Twachya
Indications
Kushtha nashan, Kandu nashan, Raktaja viakaras.
Part used
Rhizome
Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses
External
Lepa in itching, eczema, wounds, arthritis
IUCN
Critically Endangered
Research Updates
2020 – Antimicrobial effect against skin pathogens (IJNPR)
2021 – Anti-inflammatory and analgesic action in animal models (JEP)
2023 – Clinical efficacy in PCOS management (J-AIM)
