Blackwell, Botanical Illustration of White Turmeric (Turmeric Zedoaria), 1696, Print

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This antique print, titled "Zedoaria," depicts the Curcuma zedoaria, also known as zedoary, white turmeric, or kentjur. The plant is … Read more This antique print, titled "Zedoaria," depicts the Curcuma zedoaria, also known as zedoary, white turmeric, or kentjur. The plant is a member of the ginger family, known for its medicinal and culinary uses, particularly in traditional Asian medicine. Zedoary has a bitter taste and is often used to treat digestive issues. Curcuma zedoaria or Kurkuma, or white turmeric, is special due to its medicinal properties and versatility. It has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for treating digestive disorders, inflammation, and as a natural antiseptic. The rhizome is also used in Asian cooking for its peppery, bitter flavor. White turmeric grows primarily in tropical and subtropical regions of India, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, where it thrives in well-drained soils with plenty of humidity and rainfall. Its global usage highlights its value in both culinary and medicinal fields. This print was made by Elizabeth Blackwell, a pioneering Scottish botanical illustrator, for her famous work "A Curious Herbal", published between 1737 and 1739, which documented many exotic medicinal plants for use by physicians and apothecaries. See less