කළු කහ

Black Turmeric- (Curcuma caesia) Kali Haldi- The last king of turmeric though black

Kingdom: Plants

Family: Zingiberaceae

Genus: Curcuma

Species: C. grandfather

The main types of turmeric that we use in Sri Lanka are ordinary turmeric, beehive turmeric, Harang turmeric, musk turmeric, mango turmeric, kohomba turmeric and black turmeric. In some areas, these yellows are known by the same or different names mentioned above. Also black yellow is the most important of these yellow races. Black yellow can be named as the king among yellows. Black turmeric is an extremely rare and valuable medicinal drug.

Easy way to identify black and yellow:

The middle of the leaves of mature trees or the tips of the leaves of young plants are purple-black. And it doesn't grow as tall as other common yellow mats. Black turmeric looks more closely related to its cousin, black ginger, and may have small rhizomes that extend from one to two inches long on the main stem or rhizome. The outer part of the rhizome is light brown in color with rough areas. Black yellow is a perennial plant with pale yellow flowers with a reddish border, sometimes lighter in the middle or near the skin. Black turmeric has a sharp, camphor smell. It has a slightly bitter, hot taste.

Medicinal properties:

  Basically, it is used for delaying aging, cancer, neurological diseases, and medicines for those who have late or no children. It also has a high vigourous quality. Black turmeric has the highest concentration of curcumin among plant species. It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Black turmeric root has been used medicinally for centuries to treat arthritis, asthma and epilepsy. Black turmeric root can be crushed and applied to bruises and sprains to relieve discomfort or applied to the forehead to relieve migraine symptoms. Applied to the bites of snakes and scorpions. One of the most popular uses of black turmeric rhizome or root is to crush it into a paste and give it to anyone suffering from stomach problems including colic and dysentery. Black turmeric powder can be mixed with water and drunk to relieve gastric tension. Like regular turmeric, black turmeric is said to control bleeding and promote quick healing in cuts and snakebites. Black turmeric can also provide relief in cases of stomach inflammation. Painful and stiff joints can be relieved when black paste is applied. Black turmeric is known to have antioxidant and antifungal properties and helps fight inflammation in the body as well as ward off infections.

Ethnic/Cultural Information:

Black and yellow is widely used in India for health and religious purposes, although not in Sri Lanka. For centuries in India, black turmeric is still used in offerings to Goddess Kali. The festival of Kali coincides with the North Indian New Year, Diwali. A pooja is a sacred ceremony or ritual that uses herbs, songs, and invocations to honor a god or divine figure. Black turmeric is specially used in Kali Pooja and is dedicated to Goddess Kali and the common name of the herb is Kali Haldi. Especially this black and yellow is reserved for Goddess Kali in some parts of India. Black turmeric has been used by the people of North East India to ward off evil spirits.

  Root pieces, tuber pieces are kept in the pocket or medicine bag if not close by. It expects safety and security.

Possession of this plant is said to prevent abundance and scarcity of food grains at home. The rhizome also has a characteristic earthy smell due to the presence of essential oils.

  In India, a kilo of black Turmeric is sold for only thirty thousand Indian rupees.