TURMERIC, Curcuma.
ZUT-ERld. . ARAB. Kunhet, . . . MALAY.
Hurridra, . . . BENG. Mane-ella-cua, .111ALEAL. Than-u-wen, . . Bum. ZarSchobeh, . PERS. Arsine, . . . . CAN. Karkum, . . . Keang-whang, . CHIN. Cypira herba Indica, PLIN.
Kupeiros Indicos, GR. Peeta, Haridra, SANSK.
Haldi, . HIND. Haradul, . . . SINGH. Daru-hallad (inferior), , Haran-haba, . . „ Turtumaglio, . Munjal, . . . TAAL Kunir, Kunit, . MALAY. Pampi, Passapu, TEL.
Turmeric derives its name from 'terra merita.' Turmeric is the ground tubers of Curcuma longa, C. rotunda, C. angnstifolia, C. viridifolia, and C. zedoaria. It is extensively grown throughout the East Indies, China, and the Archipelago, for home consumption and for export. The bulbs are small, and furnished with numerous lom, palmate tubers, internally of a deep-orange corour. There are two descriptions of tubers, the one round, the other long, but both are yielded by the same plant. The odour is aromatic, somewhat analo gous to ginger, but peculiar ; the taste is aromatic. When chewed, it tinges the saliva yellow. Its
powder is orange-yellow. Turmeric is used in dyeing a yellow colour, which is not, however, very permanent, and it is also largely used as a condi ment in curries. In 1882-83, 63,570 cwt. were exported from India, value Rs. 3,72,077. The trade has rapidly decreased. Amba haldi is the term applied to the dyer's turmeric. Turmeric is grown like ginger from cuttings, or sets, which are little pieces of the fresh root cut up and planted. In India, amongst Muhammadans and Hindus, after betrothment and before marline, the body is anointed with turmeric. Amongst Hindus, when they for the first time wear iinew cloth or dress, they stain its four corners with turmeric, to ward off the evil eye and guard against malignant spirits. Turmeric is always emblematic of good tidings ; for a soldier to smear his clothes with turmeric, denotes that he devotes his life as a sacrifice.—Mason ; Birfla.00d ; 41. E. Jor. Rep.; _Poole; Simnionds ; Powell.