230 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



theory that the yellow color of the skin in that disease is an 

 indication for a remedy of the same color. The juice is also 

 used in many parts of India to stain the face, nails and other 

 parts of the body. 



The tincture is prepared by macerating 30 grams of bruised 

 rhizome in 200 cc. alcohol for .seven days, then filtering. Tur- 

 meric paper is prepared by impregnating unsized paper with 

 this tincture, and then drying. Both tincture and paper are 

 used to test for alkalies. 



The rhizomes contain a pigment called curcumin, an essen- 

 tial oil and fsecula. Curcumin (C 14 H 14 O 4 ) is crystalline, yellow 

 by direct light and blue by reflected light ; it was studied by 

 Jackson and Menke. 



In the Philippines it is used extensively as a diaphoretic 

 and emmenagogue and in icterus, intestinal colic and dysmen- 

 orrhoaa; externally for skin diseases, contusions and atonic 

 ulcers. 



Gubler regards it as a diffusible stimulant. Its use is more 

 extensive in England than in France and Spain ; in India it 

 forms an ingredient of curry, called carl in Manila. Curcumin 

 is eliminated by the urine, which it colors yellow, and if at the 

 same time an alkali be taken by the patient, especially a salt 

 of calcium, the urine becomes red and may communicate this 

 stain to the clothes. This fact should be borne in mind to 

 avoid embarrassing mistakes in diagnosis or prognosis. Dose 

 of powder, 25 grams. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. Leaves 2-4 long, rising in 

 bush-like bunches directly from the rhizome, broad-lanceolate, 

 acuminate, gradually tapering down the long petioles ; numerous 

 prominent nerves give a ribbed appearance to the blade. Rhi- 

 zome cylindrical, irregular, bright yellow within. 



Elettaria Cardamomum, White. 

 NOM. VULG. Lagkuas, Lagkawas, Vis.; Cardamon, Eng. 



