Vanaharidra

Botanical Name : Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Family : Zingiberaceae

 Introduction :

Its uses similar to those of  Curcuma longa.

Names in different Indian languages :

English : Wild turmeric,Yellow Zedoary,cochin turmeric

Hindi : Ban haridra,jangli haldi

Malayalam : Kasthurimanjal

Sanskrit : Vanaharidra

Tamil : Kasturimanjal, kattumanjal

Telgu : Kasturi pasupu

Morphology  :         

Tuberous herb, 50 -80 cm height , red – orange colored rhizome.

Leaves – elliptic- lanceolate, boarder than C. longa , petiole long.

Flower – pinkish white, 3 lobed

fruit – globose

 Distribution & Habitat :

All over India, cultivated in Kerala

Chemical constituents :

 Curdione, cerumol. Curcumol and curdione

 Properties :

RASA-katu, tikata

GUNA-laghu

VIRYA-ushna

VIPAKA-katu

Karma : kushtaghna, vathaghna

antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic

 Srotogamitva :

Dosha : vathaghna

 Dhatu : raktha

 Mala : mutrala

Organ : liver,skin

Indication :

Cough, leucoderma, asthma, bruises and sprains, to skin eruptions and infections

Part used : Rhizome

Dosage : Powder 1-2g

Therapeutic uses :

A decoction is administered in biliary gastritis

Paste useful in insect bite and skin disease

Hindi »