Curcumin
(sometimes called Turmeric) is an herbaceous
perennial that is native to India and southern
and eastern Asia and thrives in loose, alluvial,
well-drained soil in full sun, growing to a
height of about three feet. The herb is used in
India to treat anorexia, liver disorders, cough,
diabetic wounds, rheumatism and sinusitis. The
botanical genus, Curcuma, are derived from the
Arabic, kurkum, which means “saffron.” It is an
important pigment for dyeing silk and wool and
provides the intense orange color for the robes
of Buddhist monks. Some of the constituents in
Curcumin include volatile oil, gum, starch,
calcium chloride, fiber, curcumin (its principal
active ingredient), beta- carotene, caffeic,
cinnamic, p-coumaric – and other acids, calcium,
iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc,
B-vitamins and vitamin C.















