Turmeric
黃薑
Appearance 外觀
芭蕉目，姜科、黃薑屬多年生草本植物，株高1～1.5m，根莖很發達，根粗壯，末端膨大呈塊根；葉片長圓形或橢圓形，葉頂端短漸尖；苞片卵形或長圓形，淡綠色，頂端鈍，花冠淡黃色；花期8月。
Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall. It has highly branched, yellow to orange, cylindrical, aromatic rhizomes.
The leaves are alternate and arranged in two rows. They are divided into leaf sheath, petiole, and leaf blade. From the leaf sheaths, a false stem is formed. The petiole is 50 to 115 cm (20–45 in) long. The simple leaf blades are usually 76 to 115 cm (30–45 in) long and rarely up to 230 cm (7 ft 7 in). They have a width of 38 to 45 cm (15 to 17+1⁄2 in) and are oblong to elliptical, narrowing at the tip.
Growing Condition 生長條件
喜温暖濕潤氣候，陽光充足，雨量充沛的環境，怕嚴寒霜凍，怕乾旱積水。
It requires a well-drained soil, frost-free climate and 1000 to 2000mm of rain annually or supplementary irrigation. It thrives best on loamy or alluvial fertile soils and cannot stand waterlogging. Heavy shade will reduce the yield but light shade is beneficial.
Uses 用途
Turmeric is one of the key ingredients in many Asian dishes, imparting a mustard-like, earthy aroma and pungent, slightly bitter flavor to foods.
薑黃是許多亞洲菜餚的主要成分之一，賦予食物類似芥末的泥土香氣和辛辣微苦的味道。
Health Benefits 營養價值
Anti-inflammatory, aids in digestion, has anticancer properties, helps control blood sugar levels, improves heart health, has antioxidant properties, aids in virus protection, eases symptoms of arthritis, help with depression, aids in liver function, help treat erectile dysfunction, improves skin health, helps with weight loss.
抗炎，幫助消化，具有抗癌特性，有助於控制血糖水平，改善心臟健康，具有抗氧化特性，有助於病毒保護，緩解關節炎症狀，幫助抑鬱症，幫助肝功能，幫助治療勃起功能障礙，改善皮膚健康，有助於減肥。
Information from internet