Medicinal Plants

Curcuma aromatica Salisb.

Temu Putih

Zingiberaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Curcuma aromatica (Temu Putih) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Curcuma aromatica (Temu Putih) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Curcuma aromatica (Temu Putih)

Summary

White turmeric (Curcuma aromatica) is a herb up to 2 meters tall of the Zingiberaceae family, native to India and Southern China, thriving in fields and moist soil across Southeast Asia. Its rhizome is widely cultivated as a spice as well as an ingredient in traditional jamu. For generations, white turmeric has been believed to aid digestion, stimulate appetite, and relieve stomach ulcer symptoms.

Agroecology

Grows well in lowlands and highlands up to an elevation of 1,000 m above sea level. Optimum temperature is 22-27 °C with rainfall of 1,000-1,500 mm/year.

Morphology

  • Tuber or rhizome a stem tuber, broadly round-shaped, rhizome branches covered with large, rigid, and sparse roots, pale white and turning brownish with age, very sharp and bitter taste.
  • Stem a pseudostem formed from combined leaf sheaths. The leaves forming the stem are usually few, about 4-6 blades.
  • Leaves oblong-round with a tapering tip, leaf length 30-60 cm, smooth hairless blade, leaf color a combination of green, purple from the middle to the base.
  • Flowers emerge from the ground, separate from the leaf-bearing stem. 

Cultivation

  • Seedlings come from fresh, healthy rhizome cuttings free of disease.
  • Cut the rhizome to about 5-7 cm, air-dry in a shaded location for 1-1.5 months.
  • Once the rhizome sprouts to about 2-3 cm, the seedling is ready to plant in a growing medium of loose soil with adequate nutrients.
  • Harvest season is usually around 8-11 months.

Chemical Content

Flavonoids, polyphenols, curcuminoids, terpenoids, essential oil (cineole, bergamiol, pinene, myrcene, geraniol, curzerenone, germacrone, camphor, curcumenol). 

Benefits

Antiseptic; aids digestion, blood circulation and breathing; helps prevent bloating; calms the nerves; stimulates appetite; heals cysts, stomach ulcers; eases cancer complaints. 

Simplisia

  • Prepare fresh, healthy rhizome.
  • Wash the rhizome thoroughly and slice to a thickness of 5-7 mm.
  • Dry the rhizome slices in the sun or using an oven at 50-60°C.
  • Drying is done for 3-5 days until the moisture content is below 8%. 
  • Store the dried material in a clean, airtight container.

Local Names

Koneng tegal (Sunda).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Stomach Ulcer from Temu Putih

1. Stomach Ulcer

  • Prepare 2 slices white turmeric, 7 dried neem leaves, ½ finger-joint of bangle ginger, 7 dried king of bitters leaves, 30 g dried gotu kola, 2 slices dried Javanese turmeric, 30 g dried dandelion, 3 gynura leaves, 5 cups water.
  • Boil all ingredients until reduced to 2 cups of water.
  • Drink ½ cup twice a day before meals.
Traditional recipe Easing Cancer Complaints from Temu Putih

2. Easing Cancer Complaints

  • Prepare 60 g fresh white turmeric, 5 g dried Phaleria macrocarpa fruit, 30 g dried pearl grass, 30 g dried black nightshade.
  • Mash all ingredients, then boil in 600 ml water until reduced to 200 ml. Strain.
  • Drink twice a day while warm.

Reference Sources

  1. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. Curcuma zedoaria. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Curcuma+zedoaria 18-01- 2021
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  5. Marliani L, Anandari Y, Budiana W. 2017. Pengaruh pelarut, waktu dan suhu ekstraksi terhadap kandungan senyawa flavonoid dan kurkuminoid ekstrak rimpang Temu Putih (Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe). Jurnal Farmasi Galenika 4: 35-39.
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  7. Arjono PR, Mulyani NS. 2007. Aktivitas Antibakteri Rimpang Temu Putih (Curcuma mangga Vall). Jurnal Sains dan Matematika. 15(2): 89-93.
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  9. Sujono TA, Patimah R, Yuliani R. 2012. Efek antiinflamasi infusa rimpang Temu Putih (Curcuma zedoaria (Berg) Roscoe) pada tikus yang diinduksi karagenin. Biomedika 4(2): 10-17.
  10. Prosea. Curcuma zedoaria. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Curcuma_zedoaria_(PROSEA) 10-12- 2019.
  11. Herbalis Nusantara, download 699 ebook tanaman obat indonesia, herbalisnusantara.com
    07-05-2020