Kasthuri manjal ( Curcuma Aromatica ) Real and fake

• 
  KASTHURIMANJAL
  Scientific name : Curcuma aromatica Salisb.
  Family                : Zingiberaceae
  English               : Wild Turmeric
  Malayalam         : Kasthuri manjal
  Hindi                   : Jangli haldi
  Sanskrit              : Aranyaharidra
  Tamil                   : Kasturimanjal
  It is a perennial rhizomatous herb with annulate, aromatic, cream coloured rhizome.
  Leaves are elliptic or lanceolate-oblong, 30-45 cm long, lower sides of leaves are hairy and smooth.
  Flowering not usually observed under Kerala conditions.
  At present, only local types are available for cultivation

Properties of Real Kasthuri manjal ( Curcuma Aromatica )

Common name                                  : Kasthuri Manjal (Curcuma Aromatic )
Color                                                   : Cream color
Type of Leafs                                      : Elliptic or lanceolate-oblong
Rhizomes                                            : Cream color
Powder color                                      : Cream color
Availability                                         : Rare
Medicinal value                                 : High medicinal value

Properties of fake Kasthuri manjal (Curcuma Zedouria )

Yellow zedoary/ Manjakoova (Curcuma zedoaria)
The plant is seen wild in homesteads and wastelands. It is robust in appearance compared to Kasthurinamjal; besides, a violet colouration is seen in the leaf midrib and the rhizomes are light yellow. Very low medicinal value compared to Curcuma aromatica.

Most of the people believes this yellow zedoary ( mazhakoova ) is the real kasthuri manjal. nd the sellers are selling this fake kasthuri manjal all over the world. 

Common name                               : Mazhakoova (curcuma zedoaria)
Type of Leafs                                   : A violet coloration is seen in the leaf midrib
Rhizomes                                         : light yellow color
Powder color                                   : Yellow color powder
Medicinal value                              : Low medicinal value
Availability                                      : Easily available

In most cases, the product now available in market under the label Kasthuri manjal powder, is yellow zedoary powder. The cream colored powder of Kasthuri manjal is rarely available in market.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENT of real kasthuri manjal ( curcuma aromatica )
Dry rhizome contains:
0.8% Essential oil 10-11.5% Oleoresin 0.7% Crude fibre 0.04% Curcumin
Curcumin content, which is responsible for the yellow colour of the rhizome, is very low in Kasthurimanjal as compared to turmeric and yellow zedoary.

Main constituents of essential oil :Camphene, Methoxy cinnamic acid, Curcumene
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES & USE
Parts used: Rhizome
The rhizome is an esteemed drug for skin care.
It possesses good germicidal activity, hence ideal for protection against skin infections.
Traditionally used in bathing new born babies.
It is an ingredient of many cosmetics, skin care products and tonics for women after childbirth
Application of rhizome paste in rose water control pimples
Rhizome is an anti-dote for scorpion and other poisonous stings.
It is effective for fever, cough and worm infestations

Billy Mathew,   Mob: +919605283350, email: powranikam@gmail.com

Welcome to your feedback……..