Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to the tropical Indian Subcontinent and needs temperatures between 20 and 86 and considerable annual rainfall to thrive. The plant rhizomes are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a spice in Indian cuisine and even curries for dyeing and imparting color to mustard condiments. Its active ingredient is curcumin, and it has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter, slightly hot peppery flavor and a mustardy smell. Curcumin has been a center of attraction for the potential treatment of various diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, and other chronic illnesses.
