Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameHaldi
Urudu nameZard-chob
Arabic name /
Persian name		Uruq al-safar, Ankusht zard, Uruq al-sabbaghin / Zard-choba
English nameTurmeric
Original plant nameCurcuma longa Linn., Turmeric
Family nameZingiberaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification rhizome
Collection informationIslamic Republic of Pakistan, Karachi [Karachi], Sind, Amjad Unani Medicine (Pvt.) Ltd.
Collection date1994/1/22
CollectorTsuneo Namba
IdentifierJaved Ahmad
DescriptionFeatures:
It occurs in two forms viz., long turmeric consisting of lateral branches of the rhizome and round turmeric which is the primary rhizome. The long turmeric is cylindrical in shape, upto 7cm long and 1.5cm broad and has a yellowish brown external surface with small round root scars. The round turmeric is ovate, oblong, pyriform or conical in shape; 4 to 8cm in length and 2 to 3cm in diameter. Internal surface of both is of deep orange colour. Fracture - horny; odour - characteristic and somewhat bitter.
TMPW No.14522

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
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Production area information
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25.0700428
67.2847875
Collection information
Islamic Republic of Pakistan,Karachi [Karachi], Sind
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameUrudu name,
English name		Zard-chob, Turmeric
Arabic name / Persian nameUruq al-safar, Ankusht zard, Uruq al-sabbaghin / Zard-choba
crude drug image
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Original plant nameCurcuma longa Linn.
original plant image
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Family nameZingiberaceae
Used partRhizome
Distribution areaA perennial herb cultivated mainly in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Kerala and Orissa (India).
DescriptionIts under ground stem consists of knotty, small, round or elongated structures of yellowish colour which are called Haldi.
Function and propertiesCosmetics, Skin, Head, Eye, Chest, Liver, Wounds and swellings, Ulcers, Fevers.

Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, deobstruent, alterative, colouring agent and vasodilator.
Externally anti-inflammatory, analgesic, preventive in several internal and external disorders of bleeding type as well as against wounds and bruises. Expectorant, cosmetic and blood purifier.
Specific actionsInternally as alterative and deobstruent, externally antiseptic, cicatrizing, analgesic and vulnerary.
Frequency in useAbundant.
Common usesCosmetics: As detersive and cosmetic applied in beautifying cream or poultices (as Ubtan) and to relieve scabies and irritation due to excess phlegmatic humours in the blood.

Skin: As blood purifier administered in powders or infusion to relieve chronic skin disorders (eczema, prurigo and ringworm).

Head: Its chewing is useful in odontalgia. It is especially helpful in mania.

Eye: Its extract is very useful for improving eyesight and for clearing water-covering pupil of the eye and corneal opacity.

Chest: Turmeric is regarded as traditionally effective remedy for expectoration of phlegm in whooping cough, asthma and bronchitis.

Liver: It is also useful in obstructive jaundice particularly when taken with anise and white wine.

Wounds and swellings: In chronic wounds where worms are seem, its application act as insecticide, clears the wounds of any specific ooze and dry it subsequently. It reduces the swellings and dries up the wounds.

Ulcers: Fumes are effective against catarrh and coryza, on ulcers and indolent ulcers.

Fevers: As alterative effective against haemoptysis/hemoptysis and chronic intermittent fevers.
Side effectIt is described as harmful for the heart functions when used in large doses or for long duration.
Medical systemUnani
Traditional conceptTemperamentIt is hot and dry in the third degree. According to Avicenna (Ibn Sina) it is hot and dry in the second degree.
Drug effectExternally beneficial as anti-inflammatory and internally very useful for liver disorders.
CommentsIndian Hindus use turmeric as an offering on religious and ceremonial occasions.
Dosage1 to 3gm. (approximately).
SubstituteMajeeth (Rubia cordifolia Linn.), Dyer's Madder and Aamba Haldi (Curcuma amada Roxb.), Mango ginger.
Corrigent (corrective)`Arq-i-Leemu, Turanj (Citrus fruits), juice.
Important compound preparationsBasliqun Kabir , Habb Narkachur, Roghan Surkh and Marham Jadwar.
ReferencesReference book　

Tips！

Illustrated Manual of Herbal Drugs Used in Ayurveda, 1996. Sarin, Y.K., Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi
p 38.

Indian Materia Medica, Vols. 1-2, 1976 (Repr. 1989). Nadkarni, A.K., Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay
p 38.

Makhzanul-Mufradat (Khawasul Adviyah), Hakeem Kabiruddin, Daftar Al-Masih, Qarol Bagh, Delhi.
pp 314-315.

Dictionary of Economic Plants in India, 1996 (2nd Rep.). Singh, U; Wadhwani, A. M. and Johri B.M. Indian council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
pp 62-63.

Al-Qanun Fil-Tibb. Avicenna. (English translation of the critical Arabic text), Book 2, 1998. Hameed, H. A. (editor), Dept. of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University), New Delhi.
pp 321-322.

Al-Jamili Mufradt Al Adwiya Wal Aghziya (1197-1248 A.D.). Ibn al-Baytar. Vols. 1-3, 1985-1999. Central council for Research in Unani Medicine, Janakpuri, New Delhi.
Vol. 3, pp 265-267.

Hamdard Pharmcopoeia of Eastern medicine, 1969. Said, H. M. (editor), The Times Press, Sadar Karachi.
pp 73-74, 114, 145, 255.

Indusyunic Medicine, 1997. Usmanghani, K., Saeed, A. and Alam, M. T. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi.
pp 197-198.

Unani Adwiyah Mufradah, 1984. Ali, Saifuddin, A. (3rd edi.). Taraqi-e-Urdu Bureau, R. K. Puram, New Delhi.
pp 277-279.

RemarksIt is a major spice crop in India, adulteration is not noticed in the crude drug form. Coloured material is sometimes found mixed in the powdered material. All Unani physicians have described this drug in detail. It is also used as curry powder throughout the world. Antioxidant properties of curcuma powder are due to phenolic character of curcumin. According to Galen this drug is very calorific therefore, it is used for improving the eyesight. Basliqun (compound drug) is the Greco-Arab equivalent of Kohl (collyrium). According to one tradition, Basliqun was a king for whom this compound medicine was made by Hippocrates.
Last renewal date2024/03/21
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