turmeric

(ter’mer-ik). The rhizome of Cur’- cum a lon’ga, a zingiberaceous plant of South America. It contains the alkaloid curcumin, a tincture of which and a paper prepared from it are used like litmus in testing. It is turned brownish by alkalis. Dose of fluidextract (as an aromatic stimulant), 15-20 min. (1-1.333 c.c.).