Turmeric (Curcuma Longa)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is best known as the rich yellow spice used in curries but it's culinary use doesn't come close to showcasing the properties of this multi-talented herb. In medical terms it is referred to as a Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) which basically means it is a potent anti-inflammatory agent but without the nasty side-effects of the pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories. As such, it it is indicated for inflammatory conditions of the joints such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and of the gut such as ulcers and Crohn's disease. It has the added benefit of lowering blood lipids and blood pressure and assisting the liver in detoxifiying the body. It is the rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant which is used medicinally and it is actually the yellow pigment, Curcumin, which is primarily responsible for the medicinal properties of this herb.

Reference

Bone, K (2007) The Ultimate Herbal Compendium: A Desktop Guide for Herbal Prescribers. Phytotherapy Press: Warwick. 

Pengelly, A (2004) The Constituents of Medicinal Plants. CABI Publishing: Washington.

Wiess, R.F. (2001) Weiss’s Herbal Medicine: Classic Edition. Thieme: New York