ENGLISH NAME : East Indian arrowroot.
BOTANIC NAME : Curcuma angustifolia
Synonym:
FAMILY: Zingiberaceae
HABIT: Perennial rhizomatous herb.
DESCRIPTION:
PLANT : An herb that grows up to 1.5 m in height ,having upright pseudostem and horizontal underground stems known as rhizomes. Rhizomes are pungent tasting, warming and aromatic.
LEAF : Long petiolate ,green with purple marking inside,Oblong- lanceolate in shape.
FLOWER : inflorescence grows to about 20 cm tall. Sheaths covering the flower stem are brownish green in colour. Floral bracts are light green and the apical flower bracts are deep pink in colour.
PROPAGATION : Rhizomes are used for propagation.
 |
| Young rhizome |
FOOD VALUE: Curcuma angustifolia is also used for extracting starch, which is very nutritious. For getting clear starch, the pulp obtained from rhizomes should repeatedly wash for ten times before drying.
 |
| Young rhizome |
MEDICINAL USES:
Folkloric: The starch extracted from the rhizomes are used as an agreeable, non-irritating diet in certain chronic diseases, during convalescence from fevers, in irritations of the alimentary canal or of the urinary apparatus.
Rhizome used for fever, diarrhoea, gravel, Swelling and skin diseases.
Studies: It shows Anti bacterial and Antifungal properties.
LOCAL NAMES:
Tavakshira (Sanskrit),
Bombay arrowroot, Narrow-leaved turmeric (English),
Tikhur (Hindi)
Bengali: Keturi halodhi(Bengali),
Ararutkilangu, Kua, Ararut-kizhangu (Tamil),
Koove-hittu (Kannada),
Ararut-gaddalu (Telugu)
