Foreign Vegetables,' 
A R T I C. VII. 0/ T U R M E R I C K. 
*7 
Of this there are two Species, the long and the 
round . 
i. Curcuma longa , feu Terra Merita , OjJr. Cyperus 
Indicus , Zingiberis facie , Diofc. Cypira , P/z/z. Crocus 
Indicus , Arabibus Cur cum , Officinis ncfiris Radix Cur- 
cuma didlus^ Bont . Long Turmerick is an oblong, 
fmall, tuberous, knotty Root, of a yellow or faf- 
fron Colour, turning Liquors in which it is infufed 
yellow; of afubacrid bitterifh Tafte, and a Smell 
not unpleafant, being fomething like that of Ginger, 
blit not fo ftrong. 
The Plant to which it belongs is the Curcuma ra- 
dice longa , Hort. Ludg. Bat. Curcuma foliis longioribus 
et acutioribus , Breyn. 2 . P. Manjella Kua, Hort. Malab . 
The Root of this plant ripens and is dug up after 
the Flowers are withered. It is fo common in the 
Eojl-Indies , that there is fcarce a Garden in which it 
is not cultivated for its Ufefulnefs, being efteemed 
a very agreeable Seafoning for Food ; and it is alfo 
ufed there, as it is in Europe , in Dyeing. The 
Flowers, which have a fweet Smell, they put into 
Ointments to rub over their Bodies. 
It feems to confift of a volatile oily Salt, mixed 
with a bitter neutral Salt ; which are both envelop- 
ed in vifcid and terreftrial Parts. It is reckoned an 
excellent Medicine for refolving Obftrudlions of 
the Lungs, Liver, Spleen, Mefentery and Womb ; 
for provoking the Menfes , and affifting Delivery : 
but particularly, it is a fingular and fpecifick Reme- 
dy in the Jaundice. It is given in Subftance from 
3J. to gj. and in Deco&ion or Infufion to ^ij. 
Take of Turmerick powered gfs. Saffron gr. v. 
volatile Salt of Hartfhorn gr, x. Syrup ol the 
C five 
