Java Turmeric, or Java Yellow Root

Ginger - Zingiberaceae. Parts used: rhizome. Pharmacy name: Javan turmeric rhizome - Curcumae xanthorrhizae rhizoma (formerly: Rhizoma Curcumae xanthorrhizae), as well as Temoe lawak.

Botanical description and obtaining raw materials. The plant is similar to Curcuma longa, but slightly taller; grows exclusively in culture. Dried rhizomes are imported mainly from Indonesia, with only a small part from India.

Since the rhizomes are supplied only in peeled and dried form, they contain a large amount of non-gelatinizing starch, unlike curcuma longa, the rhizomes of which are scalded before drying.

Active ingredients. The main ingredients, like those of turmeric longa, are a coloring matter (curcumin) and essential oil, as well as a large amount of starch and various sugars.

Healing action and application. Although in terms of the composition of active ingredients, Javanese yellow root is close to curcuma longa, both their qualitative and quantitative differences determine that curcuma longa is used primarily as a spice, and Javanese yellow root is used as a pharmaceutical raw material. Java yellow root is used for diseases of the gallbladder, liver and digestive disorders; it is not consumed in the form of tea, but rather as a powder in a dose of 0.5 g 3 times a day.

The German National Health Service officially recognizes the medicinal effect of this plant for these diseases, but in Indonesian folk medicine it is also used for a wide variety of inflammatory processes (for example, arthritis or post-operative inflammation).

Side effects. Curcumin may reduce cholesterol levels. In case of severe overdose, irritation of the gastric mucosa may occur, nausea and vomiting may occur. Java yellow root should not be used for gallstones, bile duct blockage, or jaundice.