Black Turmeric Organic Plant, Curcuma caesia Edible

Black Turmeric, Curcuma caesia, Organic Black turmeric is native to Northeastern and Central India where it has been part of cultural ceremonies and medicinal remedies for centuries. It is a rare herb and as of 2016, was listed as an endangered species by the Indian Agricultural Department.  The turmeric plant grows to three feet and has beautiful oblong dark green leaves about five inches wide with a dark stripe down the middle. The translucent white, yellow and maroon spike-like flower stalks are so beautiful it’s worth growing turmeric just for the flowers let alone the other ornamental, culinary, nutritional and healing properties of Curcuma. Black turmeric offers benefits similar to the orange variety, but the darker cultivar contains higher concentrations of curcumin than any other plant species. It is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The root has been used medicinally for centuries to treat arthritis, asthma, and epilepsy. Crushed black turmeric root can be applied