Turmeric
Turmeric (India)
Turmeric (Spindle-shaped, dark yellowish-brown, rough, wrinkled texture, segmented, hard and firm)
Turmeric (Sichuan Province production)
Turmeric slices
Turmeric slices (Golden yellow waxy luster, ring patterns, many vein-like dots, unique fragrant odor)
【Name】
【Source】
Newly Revised Materia Medica
【Common Usage Level】
C
【Botanical Origin】
The rhizome of Curcuma longa L. of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family.
【Characteristics】
(I) Turmeric: The rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant is cylindrical or spindle-shaped, often curved, resembling ginger but branching. It is 2.5~5.5cm long and 10~20mm in diameter. The surface is dark yellowish-brown, often with yellowish powder, mostly wrinkled, and has distinct ring-like segments and residual fibrous root scars. It is hard and heavy in texture and difficult to break.
(II) Turmeric slices: Also known as *pian zi* turmeric. It is a slice of the rhizome of the plant Curcuma aromatica. It is oblong or irregular in shape. It varies in size, 3~6cm long, 1.5~3cm wide, and about 3mm thick. The outer skin is grayish-yellow, rough and wrinkled, sometimes with ring-like segments and fibrous root scars. The cut surface is yellowish-white or grayish-yellow, with a ring of marks and many small vein-like dots scattered throughout. The outer skin is grayish-yellow, wrinkled and rough, and sometimes ring-like segments and fibrous root scars can be seen. It has a ginger aroma and a bitter and pungent-cooling taste.
Turmeric decoction pieces are thin slices cut transversely or longitudinally, about 1~4mm thick. The edges of the longitudinal slices are uneven. The transverse slices are nearly circular. The surface is dark yellowish-brown, often with yellowish powder. The cut surface is brownish-yellow or yellow, with a horny appearance and a waxy luster. The endodermis is obvious, and there is a yellow ring near the periphery. The vascular bundles are dotted or linear, scattered in the cortex and medulla. It has a slight aroma and a bitter, pungent taste. Saliva turns yellow when chewed.
【Identification】
《Discriminating Good from Bad》: “Fat and round, with a yellowish-red interior, is considered good.”
1. Turmeric: Good quality is cylindrical, with wrinkles on the outer skin, a brownish-yellow cross-section, and a firm texture.
2. Turmeric slices: Good quality is large slices, yellowish-white in color, firm in texture, and powdery.
【Identification Terminology】
1. Cicada belly turmeric: The turmeric rhizome has many dotted and sunken fibrous roots, or a few round, laterally growing rhizomes. The outer epidermis is bright yellow, mostly wrinkled, and has obvious segments, resembling the belly skin of a cicada.
【Chapter】
Rhizomes