Turmeric rhizome

Low skin sensitization risk.

Can stain skin and fabric yellow-orange. High concentrations cause staining.

Avoid large oral doses in pregnancy.

Curcumin (the characteristic yellow pigment) is NOT in the distilled essential oil, curcumin is only in powder and CO2 extract.

Curcuma longa rhizome is dried, ground turmeric root. The essential oil is distilled from the rhizomes.

Main production: India (world's largest), Indonesia, China, Vietnam.

In Vietnam, turmeric is a foundational seasoning, bun bo Hue, Vietnamese curry, food coloring.

Family Zingiberaceae, same family as ginger.

Turmerones have in vitro anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. Different from curcumin (only in powder, not in oil).

In cosmetics, turmeric oil is used at low concentrations for anti-inflammatory products. Caution with staining required.