269 CURCUMA LONGA 



which resembles in appearance and properties the other kinds of 

 commercial turmeric. It is said to be the produce of Canna 

 speciosa of Roscoe, but this requires further investigation. 



Turmeric contains about one per cent, of a volatile oil to which 

 its odour is due, some starch, a yellow colouring matter called cur- 

 cumin, and other unimportant substances. The alkalies change the 

 colour of curcumin to reddish brown ; and boracic acid produces 

 an orange tint ; hence paper tinged with tincture of turmeric is 

 largely employed as a test of the presence of alkalies. 



Properties and Uses. Turmeric is not now used as a remedial 

 agent ; but is introduced into the pharmacopoeias as a test of the 

 presence of alkalies, its action on which has just been noticed. 

 For this purpose the British Pharmacopoeia directs unsized white 

 paper to be steeped in tincture of turmeric, and dried by exposure 

 to the air. 



Turmeric is also employed as a condiment, and is a constituent 

 of the well-known Curry Powder, and of many other articles of 

 Indian cookery. 



Turmeric is likewise used for dyeing wool, silk, &c., but the 

 colour, though a fine yellow, is not durable. It is also occa- 

 sionally employed in pharmacy 'in colouring ointments and other 

 preparations. 



CURCUMA STARCH. EAST INDIAN ARROWROOT. The starch known 

 under the names of Curcuma Starch, Tikor, and East Indian 

 Arrowroot, and which is a favorite article of diet among the natives 

 in some parts of India, is obtained from the colourless rhizomes 

 of certain species of Curcuma, but principally of those of C. angus- 

 tifolia, Roxb., and C. leucorrhiza, Roxb. Its properties are similar 

 to those of West Indian Arrowroot or Maranta starch. It is 

 sometimes met with in this country, but the starch commonly 

 sold here as East Indian Arrowroot is Maranta starch. 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, pt. i, pp. 237 and 240 ; Pharmacographia, 

 pp. 574 and 578; U. S. Disp., by W. and B., p. 357; Journ. 

 Chem. Soc., vol. xi (1873^ p. 504; Drury, Useful Plants of 

 India, 1873, 2 edit., p. 168 ; Pharm. Journ., vol. i, 2nd ser., 

 p. 258. 



