PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS CURCUMA /239

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Cupmoss is used internally as an

infusion with honey.

LITERATURE

Hoppe HA, (1975-1987): Drogenkunde. 8. AufL, Bde 1-3, W.

de Gruyter Verlag, Berlin, New York.

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.). Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Cupressus sempervirens

See Cypress

Curcuma
Curcuma xanthorrhizia
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried, tuberous
™ rhizomes cut into slices.
Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is large; it is purple or
crimson. The corolla has a red margin. Otherwise it is very
similar to Curcuma domestica.
Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial, 1.75 m high
and leafy. The leaves are in long thin sheaths on the rhizome.
The leaf blades are broadly lanceolate or oblong and have a
narrow, purple mark on the midrib. The main rhizome is
thickened like a tuber, ovate, the size of a fist with numerous
roots and thin lateral rhizomes. The roots terminate partially
in ovate tubers.
Habitat: Curcuma is indigenous to the forests of Indonesia
and the Malaysian peninsula. It is cultivated mainly on Java,
in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.
Production: Japanese turmeric consists of the sliced, dried,
tuberous rhizomes of Curcuma xanthorrhiza. Curcuma is
cultivated and harvested in the second year of growth. After
the rhizome has been washed, die main mick root is isolated,
fa cut and dried at a temperature of 50°C.

Not to be Confused With: The rhizome of Curcuma

domestica.

Other Names: Tewon Lawa, Temu Lawak

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (3 to 12%): chief components ar-curcumene

(alpha-curcumene), xanthorrhizol, beta-curcumene, germa-

crene, furanodien, furanodienone

Curcuminoids (0.8 to 2%): including curcumin,

demethoxycurcumin

Non-phenolic diarylheptanoids: alnustone

Starch (30-40%)

EFFECTS

Curcuma acts in a manner similar to turmeric root but is

mainly choleretic and antitumoral (animal testing).

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Liver and gallbladder complaints


• Loss of appetite
  Unproven Uses: Curcuma is used for dyspepsia, particularly
  feelings of fullness after meals and meteorism.

In Indonesia it has long been used for liver and gallbladder

complaints.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-

tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.

Stomach complaints can occur following extended use or in

the case of overdose. Because of the stimulating effect of the

drug on the biliary tract, it should not be administered if

there is a bile duct blockage. Colic can occur when the

patient suffers from gallstones.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Comminuted drug for infusions and

other galenic forms for internal use.

Preparation: The infusion is prepared by pouring 1 cup of

boiling water over 1/2 tsp. of drug and straining after 10

minutes.

Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 2 gm of drug;

infusion: 2 to 3 times daily between meals.

Storage: It should be protected from light.

LITERATURE

Anonym, Brennpunkt ZNS. In: DAZ 137(25):2166-2167. 1997.

Baumann J, (1975) Tiber die Wirkung von Chelidonium,

Curcuma, Absinth und Carduus marianus auf die Galle- und

Pankreassekretion bei Hepatopathien. MedMschr 29:173.

Claeson P et al., Non-phenolic linear diarylheptanoids from

Curcuma xanthorrhiza: a novel type of topical anti-inflammatory

agents: Structure-activity relationship. In: PM 62(3):236-240.

1996.

Guttenberg A, (1926) Das Cholagogum Curcumen. Klein Wschr

5:1998-1999.

Maiwald L, Schwantes PA, (1991) Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.,

eine Heilpflanze tritt aus dem Schattendasein. Z Phytother

12:35-445.