✵This article documents the herb Turmeric Root Tuber—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors—as well as the botanical sources defined in classical herbal works: four primary species—(1) Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling, (2) Curcuma longa L., (3) Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, and (4) Curcuma phaeocaulis Val.—and two additional acceptable species—(5) Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. and (6) Curcuma chuanyujin C. K. Hsieh et H. Zhang. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological requirements of these three key species, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Radix Curcumae (Turmeric Root Tuber)
Pinyin Name: Yù Jīn
English Name: Turmeric Root Tuber
Latin Name:Radix Curcumae Properties and Flavor: Cold; pungent, bitter
Brief Introduction:Radix Curcumae is the steamed and dried tuberous root of Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling, Curcuma longa L., Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, or Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. It is used: (1) to activate blood circulation and regulate Qi to relieve pain in the chest, abdomen, or hypochondriac regions caused by Qi stagnation and blood stasis; (2) to cool the blood and arrest bleeding in cases of hemorrhage due to upward rebellion of Qi and fire; (3) to calm the mind and spirit in delirium, mania, and epilepsy; and (4) as a cholagogue for jaundice. The herb is commonly known as Radix Curcumae, Turmeric Root Tuber, or Yù Jīn.
Botanical Source: Classical herbal works define Radix Curcumae (Turmeric Root Tuber) as the dried tuberous root of: (1) Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling, (2) Curcuma longa L., (3) Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, and (4) Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. Other authoritative herbal classics also accept: (1) Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling, (2) Curcuma longa L., (3) Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, (5) Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb., and (6) Curcuma chuanyujin C. K. Hsieh et H. Zhang. These are species of the genus Curcuma L., family Zingiberaceae (ginger family), order Zingiberales. Species (2) Curcuma longa L., (3) Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, and (5) Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. are described in the entry “Rhizoma Curcumae Longae (Turmeric)”; the remaining three—(1) Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling, (4) Curcuma phaeocaulis Val., and (6) Curcuma chuanyujin C. K. Hsieh et H. Zhang—are described below.
(1) Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Wēn Yù Jīn, this is a perennial herb reaching 80–160 cm in height. The main rhizome is peg-top-shaped; lateral rhizomes are finger-like, with a citreous (lemon-yellow) inner surface. Fibrous roots are slender and elongated; their distal ends often swell into fusiform (spindle-shaped) tubers, with a white inner surface. Four to seven leaves are arranged in two vertical rows; petioles are short—less than half the length of the leaf blade. Leaf blades are broadly elliptical, 35–75 cm long and 14–22 cm wide; the apex is acuminate or shortly caudate-acuminate; the base is cuneate and decurrent onto the petiole; the abaxial surface is glabrous.
A scape arises singly from the rhizome, emerging simultaneously with the leaves—or sometimes slightly earlier. The spike is cylindrical, 20–30 cm long and 4–6 cm in diameter. Ananthous (sterile) bracts in the upper portion are oblong-ovate, 5–7 cm long and 1.5–2.5 cm wide, rose-red; floriferous (fertile) bracts in the middle and lower portions are broadly ovate, 3–5 cm long and 2–4 cm wide, greenish-white. The hypanthium (floral tube) is white, with an unequal 3-toothed apex. The corolla tube is funnel-shaped and white; it has three membranous, oblong-ovate lobes—the dorsal lobe is larger and slightly pouch-shaped at the apex; coarse hairs occur near the lobe tips. Lateral staminodes are petaloid and yellow; the labellum is obovate, folded outward, yellow, and slightly emarginate at the apex. There is one fertile stamen; the anther base is calcarate. The ovary is densely pilose; the style is slender and elongated. Flowering occurs from April to June.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in deep, well-drained sandy loam.
Growth Characteristics:Curcuma wenyujin prefers a warm, humid climate with ample sunshine and abundant rainfall. It is sensitive to cold, frost, drought, and waterlogging. Cultivation requires deep soil with a loose upper layer and a relatively compact lower layer—ideally sandy loam. Continuous cropping should be avoided; intercropping with tall-stemmed crops is recommended.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuber of Curcuma wenyujin is oblong or ovoid (egg-shaped), slightly flattened, sometimes gently curved, with both ends acuminate. It measures 3.5–7 cm in length and 1.2–2.5 cm in diameter. The surface is taupe (dull grayish-brown) or taupe-brown, bearing irregular longitudinal wrinkles; the raised portions of the wrinkles are shallow. The texture is firm and solid; the fracture surface is taupe-brown or celadon (a pale bluish-green), exhibiting a waxy luster, with a conspicuous endodermal ring. The herb has a mild fragrance and tastes slightly bitter.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) analgesic effect; (2) inhibition of aortic and coronary intimal plaque formation and lipid deposition; (3) hepatoprotective effect; (4) promotion of bile secretion and excretion; (5) inhibitory activity against various pathogenic fungi.
Medicinal efficacy: Activates Qi circulation and dispels blood stasis; regulates Qi and alleviates depression; clears Heart-Fire and calms the Shen; cools the blood and breaks up stasis; soothes Liver-Qi stagnation to promote bile flow; normalizes Gallbladder function to resolve jaundice. It is indicated for dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menstrual irregularities, chest, abdominal, and hypochondriac pain, chest and abdominal distension, stabbing pain, abdominal masses, hematemesis, epistaxis (nasal bleeding, bleeding from orifices, or subcutaneous hemorrhage), hematuria, bloody stranguria (stranguria with hematuria), calculous stranguria, jaundice with red urine, febrile diseases with coma, fright-induced epilepsy, loss of consciousness, mania, psychosis, and epilepsy.
Administration of Radix Curcumae (Yù Jīn):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Radix Curcumae (Yù Jīn)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams; (2) Internally: water decoction, 1.5–3 qian (≈4.5–9 grams), fresh juice extraction, or formulation into pills or powders; (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–10 grams, or formulation into pills or powders.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Radix Curcumae should be used with caution during pregnancy. It should not be combined with Flos Caryophylli (clove) or Fructus Caryophylli.
(4) Curcuma phaeocaulis Val.
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Péng É Zhú, this is a perennial herb. The rhizome is ovoid and lumpy; lateral branches are terete and amphitropous; the root system is slender and elongated, with the distal ends swollen into oval tubers. Leaf blades are oblong-elliptic or narrowly ovate, 13–24 cm long and 7–11 cm wide; the midveins exhibit a purple halo. Petioles are approximately one-third the length of the leaf blade, decurrent into the sheath; the leaf base is auriculate (ear-shaped) and small.
The spike is terete, about 14 cm long, pedunculate, with densely arranged flowers. Floral bracts are ovoid; apical bracts are elongated and glossy red; sterile bracts occur in the axils. The calyx is white and bears three crenations. There are three corolla lobes; the upper lobe is larger and slightly pouch-shaped at the apex. The labellum is rounded, pale yellow, and trilobed at the apex; the middle lobe is emarginate.
The capsule is ovate-triangular and smooth. The seeds are oblong and arillate. Flowering occurs from March to May.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows wild on mountain slopes or in grassy areas at village edges.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuber of Curcuma zedoaria (green-silk turmeric) is ovoid (egg-shaped) and thick, measuring 1.5–3.5 cm in length and 1–1.2 cm in diameter. The surface is ash-gray or brownish-black and wrinkled. The texture is firm, hard, and angular; the fracture surface is slightly taupe-brown, with a clearly visible endodermis. The herb has a faint odor and a mild taste.
(6) Curcuma chuanyujin C. K. Hsieh et H. Zhang.
Botanical Description:Curcuma chuanyujin C. K. Hsieh et H. Zhang is commonly known as Chuān Yù Jīn. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 70–120 cm, or occasionally 70–150 cm, in height. The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped); the fracture surface is pale yellowish-white to white and aromatic. The main rhizome is peg-top-shaped, the lateral rhizomes are finger-like, and their fracture surfaces are yellow. Leaves are arranged in two vertical rows (distichous), with 4–7 leaves per plant; petioles are 12–30 cm long—approximately one-quarter to one-third the length of the leaf blade. Leaf blades are oblong or elliptic-oblong; the apex is acute and caudate, the base is cuneate and decurrent onto the petiole. Both surfaces are pubescent.
Inflorescences are conical spikes that emerge from the rhizome. Bracts in the terminal spike are pinkish to light red; the axils are ebracteate (lacking bracts). Bracts in the middle and lower parts of the spike are green; the upper surface is smooth, while the abaxial surface is pubescent. Several flowers arise from the axils; each flower is subtended by several bracteoles (bractlets), which are white and translucent. The hypanthium (floral tube) bears three teeth, is externally villous and white, and membranaceous. The corolla tube is approximately 6.5 cm long, densely pilose at the throat, with three lobes that are slightly pink; the dorsal lobe is larger and apically curled. Lateral staminodes are petaloid and yellow; the labellum is orbicular with a conspicuously three-lobed apex. There is one fertile stamen; the filament is short and flattened; the anther is oblong, 5 mm long, and bears a calcar at its base. The style is slender and elongated, passing through the anther connective; its base bears two rabdoids. The ovary is inferior and externally villous. Flowering occurs from April to June.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows along riversides at altitudes of approximately 900 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuberous root of Curcuma chuanyujin (commonly referred to as “white-silk” or “yellow-white silk turmeric”) is fusiform or oblong, 1.7–5 cm long and 1–1.2 cm in diameter; its surface is stone-yellow or dark yellowish-brown. The fracture surface is corneous, with a waxy luster, and ranges in color from light brown to nearly white. The herb has a slight odor and a pungent taste.
✵This article documents the herb Turmeric Root Tuber—including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavors—as well as the botanical sources defined in classical herbal works: four primary species—(1) Curcuma wenyujin Y. H. Chen et C. Ling, (2) Curcuma longa L., (3) Curcuma kwangsiensis S. G. Lee et C. F. Liang, and (4) Curcuma phaeocaulis Val.—and two additional acceptable species—(5) Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. and (6) Curcuma chuanyujin C. K. Hsieh et H. Zhang. It provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological requirements of these three key species, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Yù Jīn
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Wēn Yù Jīn, this is a perennial herb reaching 80–160 cm in height. The main rhizome is peg-top-shaped; lateral rhizomes are finger-like, with a citreous (lemon-yellow) inner surface. Fibrous roots are slender and elongated; their distal ends often swell into fusiform (spindle-shaped) tubers, with a white inner surface. Four to seven leaves are arranged in two vertical rows; petioles are short—less than half the length of the leaf blade. Leaf blades are broadly elliptical, 35–75 cm long and 14–22 cm wide; the apex is acuminate or shortly caudate-acuminate; the base is cuneate and decurrent onto the petiole; the abaxial surface is glabrous.
A scape arises singly from the rhizome, emerging simultaneously with the leaves—or sometimes slightly earlier. The spike is cylindrical, 20–30 cm long and 4–6 cm in diameter. Ananthous (sterile) bracts in the upper portion are oblong-ovate, 5–7 cm long and 1.5–2.5 cm wide, rose-red; floriferous (fertile) bracts in the middle and lower portions are broadly ovate, 3–5 cm long and 2–4 cm wide, greenish-white. The hypanthium (floral tube) is white, with an unequal 3-toothed apex. The corolla tube is funnel-shaped and white; it has three membranous, oblong-ovate lobes—the dorsal lobe is larger and slightly pouch-shaped at the apex; coarse hairs occur near the lobe tips. Lateral staminodes are petaloid and yellow; the labellum is obovate, folded outward, yellow, and slightly emarginate at the apex. There is one fertile stamen; the anther base is calcarate. The ovary is densely pilose; the style is slender and elongated. Flowering occurs from April to June.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows in deep, well-drained sandy loam.
Botanical Description: Commonly known as Péng É Zhú, this is a perennial herb. The rhizome is ovoid and lumpy; lateral branches are terete and amphitropous; the root system is slender and elongated, with the distal ends swollen into oval tubers. Leaf blades are oblong-elliptic or narrowly ovate, 13–24 cm long and 7–11 cm wide; the midveins exhibit a purple halo. Petioles are approximately one-third the length of the leaf blade, decurrent into the sheath; the leaf base is auriculate (ear-shaped) and small.
The capsule is ovate-triangular and smooth. The seeds are oblong and arillate. Flowering occurs from March to May.
Characteristics of the Herb: The tuber of Curcuma zedoaria (green-silk turmeric) is ovoid (egg-shaped) and thick, measuring 1.5–3.5 cm in length and 1–1.2 cm in diameter. The surface is ash-gray or brownish-black and wrinkled. The texture is firm, hard, and angular; the fracture surface is slightly taupe-brown, with a clearly visible endodermis. The herb has a faint odor and a mild taste.
Botanical Description: Curcuma chuanyujin C. K. Hsieh et H. Zhang is commonly known as Chuān Yù Jīn. It is a perennial herb that grows up to 70–120 cm, or occasionally 70–150 cm, in height. The tuberous root is fusiform (spindle-shaped); the fracture surface is pale yellowish-white to white and aromatic. The main rhizome is peg-top-shaped, the lateral rhizomes are finger-like, and their fracture surfaces are yellow. Leaves are arranged in two vertical rows (distichous), with 4–7 leaves per plant; petioles are 12–30 cm long—approximately one-quarter to one-third the length of the leaf blade. Leaf blades are oblong or elliptic-oblong; the apex is acute and caudate, the base is cuneate and decurrent onto the petiole. Both surfaces are pubescent.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows along riversides at altitudes of approximately 900 meters above sea level.
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