Haridra (Curcuma Longa Linn.) A Classical Review

- Ayurveda described the use of Haridra (Curcuma longa Linn., Family-Zingibaraceae)for the management of different disease conditions in classical texts. In this article, an attempt has been made to compile various information related to Haridra from three samhitas, more than 6 samgrahagranthas,12nighantus and other published texts.It is observed that rhizomes of Haridraare used as an ingredient in various formulations, which are effective in more than 40 disease conditions. The main indications include kushtha (skin disease), jwara(fever), kshaya,shvasa(dypnoea), kasa(cough) arsha(piles), vrana(wound), Visa(poisonous), pramehaa (diabetes),pandu (jaundice)etc, rhizomes of Haridra is used in about 13 dosage forms; such as kvatha (decoction),lepa(paste),avaleha (semi-solid preparations),taila (oil),ghrita (fat soluble preparations), vati (pills),churna(powder),rasa (mineral preparations).