Health Benefits
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Saturday, June 21
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest
    Health Benefits
    • Home
    • Dental Health
    • Mental Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Health Wiki
    • Nutrition
    • Healthy Recipe
    Health Benefits
    Home»Herbs and Spices»White turmeric facts and health benefits
    Herbs and Spices

    White turmeric facts and health benefits

    By SylviaMay 1, 2017Updated:March 26, 2021No Comments12 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    White turmeric facts and health benefits

    Often referred to as Zedoaria or Amba Haldi, white turmeric is actually the root of the Curcuma zedoaria plant. It is a perennial herb and is member of genus Curcuma and Zingiberaceae family. The Curcuma zedoaria plant is native to India and Indonesia, but has also been cultivated in Europe and in the US. It was introduced to Europe by Arabs around the sixth century, but its use as a spice in the West today is extremely rare, having been replaced by ginger. Though white turmeric nowadays is rarely used anymore as a spice and often replaced by ginger, it is still used in Asian cuisine. In Indonesia, white turmeric powder is often added to curry dishes. In Thailand, fresh, sliced white turmeric is used as an ingredient in salads. And in Indian cuisine fresh white turmeric is also used as an ingredient to popular dishes. It has lighter flesh and its flavor is very similar to that of ginger, but with a bitterer aftertaste.

    Plant

    Zedoaria or White Ginger is an herbaceous and rhizomatous perennial plant that grows up to 1.2 m in height and is composed of an upright pseudostem, a corm and underground cylindrical branches or rhizomes and fleshy roots. The rhizome is light yellow on the outside and bright yellow on the inside aging to a darker brown color. Some roots develop terminal storage structures. From March to April the axillary buds of the corm and apical buds of the third-order rhizomes emerge above the ground as inflorescences. This basal flower spike, which grows about 30 cm tall, appears just before the foliage. On the node closest to the flower spike, a vegetative shoot always develops. No additional floral buds sprout but more vegetative shoots develop. New branches start to develop on corms of recently formed aerial shoots. By autumn, the above-ground foliage dies back. From November to December storage roots are formed, having a high (> 70%) carbohydrate content.

    It is used traditionally for the treatment of menstrual disorders, dyspepsia, vomiting and for cancer. Rural people use the rhizome for its rubefacient, carminative, expectorant, demulcent, diuretic and stimulant properties while the root is used in the treatment of flatulence, dyspepsia, cold, cough and fever.

    History

    During Medieval times, white turmeric was appreciated in the spice trade because people thought that its aroma was a combination of mango, turmeric, and ginger. The plant is also stated in Roman de la Rose’s 13th century poem, and was extolled by Nicolas Culpeper, a 17th century herbalist, for its ability to fight poison, expel wind, stay vomiting, stop the menses and fluxing, kill worms, and help the colic.

    White Turmeric Image Gallery
    White-Turmeric--Amb-halad White-Turmeric--Amb-halad
    White-Turmeric--Beli-isiot White-Turmeric--Beli-isiot
    White-Turmeric--Curcuma-zédoaire White-Turmeric--Curcuma-zédoaire

    White-Turmeric--Gadwâr White-Turmeric--Gadwâr
    White-Turmeric--Gajutsu White-Turmeric--Gajutsu
    White-Turmeric--Gandamatsi White-Turmeric--Gandamatsi

    White-Turmeric---Krachura White-Turmeric---Krachura
    White-Turmeric--Setwall White-Turmeric--Setwall
    White-Turmeric--Sutha White-Turmeric--Sutha

    White-turmeric--Zedoarwortel White-turmeric--Zedoarwortel
    White-Turmeric--Zedoary White-Turmeric--Zedoary
    White-Turmeric--Zedoary-turmeric White-Turmeric--Zedoary-turmeric

    Health benefits of White Turmeric

    White Turmeric is very good for our bodies. White turmeric has a wide range of chemical constituents that include tianin, starch, curcumin, essential oil, sugar, saponins, resins, flavonoids, until the toxic protein that has the capability to prevent cancer cell growth. The presence of so many important ingredients is what that made turmeric supplements so much popular among the masses. Listed below are few of the health benefits of using white turmeric in your daily life

    1. Digestive Aid

    For millennia, white turmeric has been used to treat digestive problems, mostly in the gastrointestinal tract. The herb’s essential oil and the herb itself are beneficial in the treatment of colic, indigestion, spasms, loss of appetite, infestation of worms, flatulence, irregular bowel movement, and tastelessness. It is also a natural aid in preventing stress-related ulceration.

    2. Respiratory Problems

    In Ayurveda, an excess of kapha dosha is due to fluids like phlegm and mucus building up in the lungs and other areas of the body. Phlegm and mucus block the nasal passages and lead to breathing difficulties and respiratory disorders like cold, asthma, and cough.

    3. Relieves Inflammation and Pain

    White turmeric is an anti-inflammatory agent that helps to treat inflammation, wounds, and other skin ailments. It was used in Indonesian folk medicine to treat inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). It was also utilized to protect asthmatic patients’ lungs by limitation inflammatory mediators’ release during short-term therapy.

    The diuretic properties of zedoary support the elimination of the body’s toxic substances and excess fluids, particularly in the joints. If there is no detoxification, it may lead to inflammation and pain in cases of arthritis and rheumatism. White turmeric also reduces the body’s temperature during fever by purging infectious microbes and promoting sweat. “White Turmeric is an excellent natural anti-inflammatory plant and is often used by golfers looking to naturally decrease their knee pain. Combined with proper strengthening and conditioning of the knee, this product is highly effective”. Kristopher Explains from the website Knee Force.

    4. Antimicrobial activity

    Extracts of tubers show potent anti-microbial activity against E.coli, S.aureus, Cornyebacterium species, Candida sp, Aspergillus sp. etc.

    Research found that anti-microbial action of C. zedoaria was as powerful as that of commercial mouth rinses in inhibiting growth of oral pathogens.

    zedoaria’s anti-fungal activity is effective in terminating growth of drug resistant fungal species. It also prevents growth of amoeba, Entamoeba histolytica and also exerts larvicidal effect against mosquitoes.

    5. Anti-inflammatory and painkiller property

    Curcumenol, a compound obtained from this rhizome, shows painkiller activity better than aspirin. Extracts of the rhizome are proven to have painkiller activity in model of abdominal spasms and compounds- curcumenol and dihydrocurdione contribute to its analgesic activity.

    6. Anti-allergic activity

    Oils of Curcuma zedoaria have moderate to good antioxidant activity; they search free radicals and chelate heavy metal ions. Curcuminoids present in extracts of Curcuma zedoaria exert anti-allergic activity and are found to be therapeutic in skin related allergic reactions. Curcumin shows the highest anti-allergen activity and this is mediated by inhibiting activity of inflammatory proteins and preventing release of chemicals that initiate allergic reactions.

    7. Antibacterial and antifungal

    Turmeric is believed to reduce the amount of microbes in the mouth with the same results with mouthwash products on the market. In addition, extracts from white turmeric are also believed to inhibit fungal activity in the human body.

    8. Antinyeri medicine

    White turmeric was believed to be used as an analgesic or medicine to relieve pain. However, this analgesic effect depends on how many doses you use.

    9. Ulcer medicine

    Flour from the root of white turmeric is thought to reduce the amount and acidity of the stomach fluid so it can be used as a tukak medicine. These benefits still require clinical research in humans.

    10. Anti-toxic

    White turmeric extract can also be an antidote or a snake bidder. This can happen because white turmeric can inhibit the activity of snake venom.

    11. Anti-cancer

    White turmeric is believed to play an important role in the inhibition of cancer metastases or the spread of cancer from an organ to other organs. But, its effectiveness to overcome cancer still requires further research.

    Antioxidants Essential oils of white turmeric are supposed to reduce the impact of certain free radicals.

    White turmeric is also believed to be beneficial for the treatment of symptoms of arthritis, asthma, anti-rheumatism, and diuretic medications.

    12. Lowering blood sugar levels

    Eating white turmeric is believed to lower blood sugar levels. However, both still need medical research to prove it.

    13. Drugs for women

    White turmeric is suspected to treat female complaints like leucorrhea, relieve pain during menstruation, and menstruation expedite. However, this has not been medically proven and still needs further research.

    How to use white turmeric, Curcuma zedoaria?

    Curcuma zedoaria is used as an herb in traditional medicine. Not much data is available on the dosage but around 1-4 g of dried roots is safe. However these roots are bitter to taste.

    In India fresh roots are used directly in dishes and pickles. The powder is used as a thickener in many dishes. In Indonesia dried roots are used or dried powder is obtained and used subsequently in dishes.

    The paste of the rhizome is applied externally for pain. Essential oil is used in aromatherapy as well as digestive aid.

    A clinical trial investigating the effect of C. zedoaria herbal tea has found that dose of 500mg to 1.5g of zedoaria root dry powder safe to consume over a period of 2 months.

    Traditional uses and benefits of White Turmeric

    • It is used traditionally for the treatment of menstrual disorders, dyspepsia, vomiting and for cancer.
    • Rural people use the rhizome for its rubefacient, carminative, expectorant, demulcent, diuretic and stimulant properties.
    • Root is used in the treatment of flatulence, dyspepsia, cold, cough and fever.
    • It can inhibit cancer cell growth.
    • It can narrow female organs.
    • It may help treat itching of the female.
    • It can strengthen lust.
    • It is useful as antipyretics (fever).
    • It is used to treat pain shortness of breath (asthma).
    • White turmeric is used to treat inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract (bronchitis).
    • It may be useful as an antitoxin (antidote).
    • It can help reduce abdominal fat.

    Culinary Uses

    • In Thai cuisine it is used raw and cut in thin strips in certain Thai salads.
    • It can also be served cut into thin slices together with other herbs and vegetables with certain types of nam phrik.
    • In Indian cuisine fresh white turmeric is also used as an ingredient to popular dishes.

    White Turmeric Facts

    White turmeric is the underground stem (rhizome) of the tropical plant Curcuma zedoaria in the ginger family. Quite rare in the west, white turmeric is used in Thai, Indonesian and Indian cuisines. It possesses quite a long list of herbal remedies; maybe because its high levels of antioxidants. With very light yellow-cream flesh and a unique pungent and sharp tasting with some fruit-sweetness. It is eaten fresh as a delicacy in salads, accompanies chili relishes or even cooked in curries.

    White Turmeric Quick Facts
    Name: White Turmeric
    Scientific Name: Curcuma Zedoaria
    Origin Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India
    Colors Brown
    Shapes Large and tuberous with many branches.
    Flesh colors creamy color to light yellow
    Taste Bitter
    Health benefits Drugs for women , Lowering blood sugar levels, Anti-cancer, Anti-toxic, Ulcer medicine, Antinyeri medicine, Antibacterial and antifungal, Anti-allergic activity, Anti-inflammatory and painkiller property, Antimicrobial activity, Relieves Inflammation and Pain, Respiratory Problems, Digestive Aid
    Name White Turmeric
    Scientific Name Curcuma Zedoaria Rosc
    Native Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India
    Common Names White turmeric, zedoaria or gajutsu, zedoary, kentjur, Amba Haldi
    Name in Other Languages anskrit: Krachura, Sati, Shati
    Hindi: Gandamatsi
    Bengali: Sutha
    Arabic: Gadwâr, Satwâl, Zadwâr.
    Bosnian:  Beli isiot, Isiot, Setvar.
    Chinese: E zhu, E shu,  Yu jin (Medicinal name).
    Crotian:  Beli isiot, Isiot, Setvar, Bijeli isiot,
    Czech: Kurkumovník zedoárový, Zedoár, Zedoárie, Zedoárové koření
    Danish: Zedoar.
    Dutch: Zedoar, Zedoarwortel, Maagwortel
    English: Setwall, White turmeric, Zedoary turmeric, Zedoary.
    French: Curcuma zédoaire, Gingembre bâtard, Zédoaire, Rhizome de Zédoaire,
    German: Zedoarwurzel, Zitwer, Zittwer Kurkume.
    Hindi: Kachur, Amb halad, Gandhmul, kachura (कचुरा)
    Hungarian: Citvor, Fehér kurkuma, Zedoária-gyökér
    Italian: Radice di curcuma, Zedoaria, Zedoaria lunga.
    Indonesian: Kunir putih, kentjur
    Japanese: Gajutsu, Gajutsu( ガジュツ)
    Kannada: Kachora, kacora, Kacōra (ಕಚೋರ)
    Korean: A-cul, Achul, bong-cul, ga-jyu-ceu, Kajyuchu, keo-kyu-meo je-do, Keokyumeo jedo, Kokyumo jedo, Pongchul, gajyucheu (가쥬츠), bongchul (봉출), achul (아출), keokyumeo jedo (커큐머 제도)
    Laotian: Khi min khay.
    Malay: Temu kuning, Temu puteh, Temu putih (Indonesia).
    Nepalese:  Kacur, Van haledo.
    Portuguese: Zedoária.
    Russian: Kurkuma zedoarskaia (Куркума зедоарская ), Zedoari, Zedoarij, Zedoariy (Зедоарий)
    Serbian:   Beli isiot, Isiot, Setval.
    Spanish: Cedoaria, Cetoal.
    Slovak: Zedoár
    Slovenian: Isiot
    Spanish: Cedoaria
    Swedish: Zittverrot
    Thai:  Haeo dam (Chiang Mai),  Kha mîn oi (Central Thailand),  Kha mîn khuen (Northern Thailand), Kha min hawkuen, Kha min khao, Khamin khun, khamin oi, K̄hmînh̄ạwk̄hụ̂n (ขมิ้นหัวขึ้น), K̄hmînx̂xy (ขมิ้นอ้อย)
    Turkish: Çevdar, Gulpa hamar
    Ukrainian: Kurkuma zedoarskaya, Kurkuma zedoarskaâ, Kurkuma zedoarskaya  (Куркума зедоарская)
    Vietnamese: Bông truât, Ngái tim, Nga truât, Tam nai, Nga truật, Nghe den, Nghệ đen
    Plant Growth Habit Herbaceous and rhizomatous perennial plant
    Growing Climate Tropical and subtropical wet forest regions
    Plant Size 1.2 m in height
    Flower Yellow flowers with red and green bracts
    Rhizome Shape & Size Large and tuberous with many branches.
    Rhizome Color Brown skin
    Flesh Color Creamy color to light yellow
    Flavor/Aroma Warm and ginger-like, slightly camphorous, with a bitter aftertaste.
    Taste Bitter taste
    Plant Parts Used Roots, oil, and leaves
    Health Benefits
    • Drugs for women
    • Lowering blood sugar levels
    • Anti-cancer
    • Anti-toxic
    • Ulcer medicine
    • Antinyeri medicine
    • Antibacterial and antifungal
    • Anti-allergic activity
    • Anti-inflammatory and painkiller property
    • Antimicrobial activity
    • Relieves Inflammation and Pain
    • Respiratory Problems
    • Digestive Aid
    Traditional Medicinal Use
    • It may increase appetite.
    • It may be useful as a laxative (laxative).
    • It can be used as an antioxidant.
    • It is beneficial to treat fever, colds, bloating, etc.
    • It purifies blood and acts as a body stimulant.
    • It treats respiratory disorders, acts as an aphrodisiac, and tones up the uterus.
    • It is used to treat urinary tract infections and urine-related disorders.
    • In its powdered form, it helps regulate menstruation.
    • It helps to normalizes body temperature, improves liver condition, and improves digestion.
    • It is used to prevent stress ulceration and acts as a gastro-intestinal stimulant in flatulent colic.
    • It helps treat cough, vomiting, colic, and dyspepsia.
    • It is used to make cosmetics, perfumes, bitters, stomach essences, and liquors.
    • It is used as anti-venom for Indian Cobra bites.
    Culinary Uses
    • In Indonesia, it is ground to a powder and added to curry pastes.
    • In India, it tends to be used fresh or in pickling.
    Other Facts
    • The essential oil produced from the dried roots of Curcuma zedoaria is used in perfumery and soap fabrication, as well as an ingredient in bitter tonics.
    • Zedoary roots were extensively exported to Europe where the oil was extracted by steam distillation and used to provide fragrance to perfumes, soaps, oils etc.
    Precautions
    • Pregnant and nursing women are advised to avoid it.
    • Women suffering from heavy menstrual cycles are advised not to use white turmeric.
    • Individuals taking blood thinning medications and blood pressure medicines should consult a health practitioner before taking C.zedoaria.

     

    References:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcuma_zedoaria

    http://www.gbif.org/species/113659940/synonyms

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-235312

    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/store/10.1211/jpp.61.01.0003/asset/jpp.61.01.0003.pdf?v=1&t=j25te65k&s=8f8bfcc2e64ae528d60e0185e877e41368a92079

    http://eol.org/data_objects/31667781

    http://eol.org/pages/1122269/overview

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=506509#null

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=461749

    http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/207057/

    http://ntbg.org/plants/plant_details.php?plantid=11925

    http://theepicentre.com/spice/white-turmeric-zedoary/

    88%
    88%
    Awesome

    Comments

    comments

    Herbs and Spices W
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleRadish seed oil uses and benefits
    Next Article Buriti oil facts and uses

    Related Posts

    Uses of Monkey Pitcher plant

    April 16, 2024

    Traditional uses and benefits of Wild Marigold

    March 21, 2024

    Traditional uses and benefits of Drooping fig

    March 12, 2024

    Comments are closed.

    White Turmeric Scientific Classification

    Scientific name Curcuma Zedoaria Rosc
    Kingdom Plantae
    Subkingdom Viridiplantae
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta
    Superorder Lilianae
    Order Zingiberales
    Family Zingiberaceae
    Genus Curcuma L
    Species Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe
    Super Division Embryophyta
    Division Tracheophyta
    Sub Division Spermatophytina
    Class Magnoliopsida
    Synonyms Amomum latifolium Lam.
    Amomum latifolium Salisb.
    Amomum zedoaria Christm.
    Costus luteus Blanco
    Costus nigricans Blanco
    Curcuma malabarica Velay., Amalraj & Mural.
    Curcuma pallida Lour.
    Curcuma raktakanta Mangaly & M.Sabu
    Curcuma speciosa Link
    Erndlia zerumbet Giseke
    Roscoea lutea (Blanco) Hassk.
    Roscoea nigrociliata Hassk.
    Categories
    • Beverages (78)
    • Dairy (28)
    • Dental Health (15)
    • Equipment (5)
    • Essential OIls (196)
    • Facts (2,873)
    • Foods (253)
    • Fruits (479)
    • Giveaway (1)
    • Grains and Cereals (32)
    • Health & Beauty (692)
    • Herbs and Spices (1,247)
    • Medicines (9)
    • Mental Health (19)
    • Nutritional value (27)
    • Nuts and seeds (69)
    • Oils (81)
    • Pets (4)
    • Poultry & Seafoods (67)
    • Pulses and Beans (16)
    • Reviews (25)
    • supplement (2)
    • Vegetables (302)
    • Weight Loss (22)

    How bitter melon helps to lower blood sugar

    What Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation and How It Calms the Body?

    What Is “Nervous System Regulation” and Why Is It Trending?

    What Is “Animal Flow” Discover Its Surprising Benefits

    What is Golden Milk Latte and its health benefits?

    What is Matcha Collagen Blend and Its Health Benefits?

    ABOUT
    Home
    About us
    Contact us
    Privacy Policy
    Terms & conditions
    Disclaimer
    Direct Communication
    e-mail: [email protected]
    Gmail: [email protected]
    Useful
    Health Wiki
    Nutrition
    Houston Dentist
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest
    © 2025 www.healthbenefitstimes.com All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    ×

    Log In

    Forgot Password?

    Not registered yet? Create an Account