Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Common name, Black Tumeric) is a perinial herb of distinguishable bluish-black rhizome with a bitter and pungent smell and it is famous for its medicinal properties. In west Bengal, the rhizome of the plant is used in Kali Puja, and hence the plant is called Kali haldi in Kannada its called Kappu Arishina and black turmeric in English.
Know more about different types of Turmeric?
Types Of Turmeric In Market:
- Common Turmeric (Curcuma longa): This is the most widely recognized and commonly used type of turmeric. It has a bright yellow-orange color and is often used as a spice in cooking. Common turmeric contains around 2-5% curcumin, which is responsible for its color and potential health benefits
- Wild Turmeric (Curcuma aromatica): Also known as “Kasturi Manjal,” this type of turmeric has a distinct aroma and is used in traditional cosmetics and perfumes. It has a lighter color compared to common turmeric and is used for its skin-soothing and antiseptic properties.
- Black Turmeric (Curcuma caesia): Black turmeric is named for its dark, bluish-black rhizomes (underground stems). It is not commonly used in cooking but has traditional medicinal uses in various cultures. Black turmeric is believed to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
- White Turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria): Also known as “zedoary,” white turmeric has a pale yellow to off-white color. It is used in traditional medicine and as a flavoring agent in some Asian cuisines. White turmeric is thought to have digestive and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Mango Ginger (Curcuma amada): Mango ginger is closely related to turmeric and has a flavor reminiscent of both turmeric and mango. It is often used in pickles, chutneys, and traditional Indian dishes. Unlike common turmeric, mango ginger is not as rich in curcumin.
- Orange Turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza): Also known as “Java turmeric” or “temu lawak,” this type of turmeric is native to Indonesia. It has a bright orange color and is used both for culinary purposes and in traditional medicine.
- Aromatic Turmeric (Curcuma aeruginosa): Aromatic turmeric is known for its pleasant fragrance and is used in perfumes, cosmetics, and traditional remedies. It is native to Southeast Asia.
- Bitter Turmeric (Curcuma angustifolia): This type of turmeric is often referred to as “kali haldi” and is used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a bitter taste and is used for its potential digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits.
This species has been regarded as endangered by the central forest department of India due to biopiracy. 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. 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, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. It flourishes well in moist deciduous forest areas.
The rhizome of kali haldi has a bitter, sharp, hot taste, and a pleasant odour
It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and is laxative. It is used as a tonic for the brain and the heart. Rhizomes are useful in treating leukoderma, piles, bronchitis, asthma, tumors, and tuberculous glands of the neck, enlargement of the spleen, epileptic seizures, inflammations, and allergic eruptions. Black turmeric is a rare herb. It is the underground portion of the stem, or rhizome, of the Cucurma caesia plant. The plant itself is sometimes grown as an ornamental, but the root has been used for centuries for medicinal and religious purposes. Black turmeric offers benefits similar to the orange variety, but the darker cultivar contains higher concentrations of curcumin than any other Curcuma species. In Hindi, the herb is called Kali Haldi. It is used widely in India for health and religious purposes.
Black turmeric contains the highest concent ations of curcum n of any plant species. It is a powerf l antioxi ant and anti inflam atory. The root has been used medici ally for centuris to treat arthriti, asthma, and epilepsy. Black turmeric root is crushed and can be applied to bruises and sprains to ease discom ort or applied to the forehead to help relieve sumps of migraines.
– Ayurveda