Turmeric Origin / Discovery

Turmeric Origin/Discovery

Turmeric Origin

Historians argue that the exact origin of this plant can’t be traced, but it’s a native plant to Southeast Asia, especially India. At present this plant can be found in various parts of the world. It is widely cultivated in China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Philippines, Java, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

Even though the use of turmeric could be seen since the Vedic times; yet, its magical compound was discovered only 200 years back. Vogel and Pelletier are often credited for isolating Curcumin, the magic compound from Curcuma longa L.

Discoveries & Key Milestones

Turmeric was first discovered in pots by archaeologists in 2500 BC. But around 500 BC its usage in Ayurvedic medicine was found.

Turmeric started to grow in the forest regions of Java and Indonesia during the 5th Century AD.

By 700-800 AD the cultivation and trade of turmeric spread across Asia, including China and even East Africa. By 1200 AD it reached West Africa.

By the 18th Century, turmeric became popular in Jamaica and across many tropical locations.

In 1280 AD, Marco Polo described ‘Turmeric’ as Yellow Saffron and mentioned its usage in China.

It was Vogel and Pelletier, who reported about the Curcumin compound that was obtained from the Curcuma longa rhizomes.

In 1910, Milobedzka and Lampe identified the chemical structure of curcumin. They carried out further research on curcumin that resulted in the synthesis of the compound.