Botanical name: Curcuma longa Other name: haridra, curcuma Family: zingberaceae Part used: rhizome Taste (rasa): bitter (tikta), pungent (katu) Guna (charateristic): dry (ruksha), light (laghu) Energy (veerya): heating (ushna) Post digestive effect (vipak): Pungent (katu) Dosha effect:  VPK-, PV+ in excess Action (karma): analgesic, vulnerary, emminagogue (promotes the flow of mensus), anthelmintic, dipana, protects & detoxifies the liver, anticholesterol, cholagogue, treats diabetes, anti-oxidant, raktasodhana, builds blood, treats psoriasis, antibacterial, antimicrobial, clears ama (toxins), anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, treats the lungs, prevents from cataract development, potentiates chemotherapy, treats skin diseases, antidote, prevents from dementia, prevents artherosclerosis & heart attack.

Tumeric’s strong yellow color signifies its use as a liver herb that is good at drying damp and moving stagnation in the blood.