Turmeric - Kaha - කහ

Name of medicinal plant : Curcuma longa L

Other names :- 

• English - Tumeric
• Tamil - Manjal(மஞ்சள்)/ மஞ்சள் செடி
• Sinhala - Kaha (කහ)/ඇත් කහ/අමු කහ
• Sans - Haridra

Synonyms :- Haridra/ Rajani / Kancani / Krumigni.

Morlhology :- Rhizome arage within, Leaf tuft to 1m, lamina green, lanceolate. Corolla white , Labellum with central yellow band.

Types : Turmeric is three type according to Ayurveda.

 >  Haridra , Karpura Haridra and Amragandha Haridra 

 practically found two types 

>Ath kaha and Haran Kaha

Chemical constituent :- Essential oils from rhizome / alpha-tumerone / major compound/ Beta-tumerone/tripenole.

Properties :- 

• Rosa - Katu / Tikta 
• Guna - Lagu / Ruksha
• Veerya - Ushna
• Vipaka - Katu

Effect on Dosha - Pacific vata & kapha

Pharmacologinal action :- Rucivardaka/ Anulomana/ Swasakasa hara/Shodaka / Shotahara / Medagna / Krimigna / Kaphahara / Amapacaka / Raktha Vardhaka.

Therapeutic action - Twakdosha / Meha / Madhumeha / Shotha/ Ractha dosha / Vrna / Pacaha / Aruci / Kamala /Swasa / Kasa

Part of used :- Rhizome/Flower/ Pseudo stem.