Curcuma is a genus of plants originating from South and Southeast Asia, belonging to the ginger family, which also includes turmeric or yellow root (Curcuma longa) as an important species. Ingredients: Turmeric contains an essential oil (max. 5%) consisting mainly of sesquiterpenes, many of which are characteristic of the species. The most important are turmerone (max. 30%), ar-turmerone (25%), and zingiberene (25%). Conjugated diarylheptanoids (1,7-diaryl-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione, e.g., curcumin) are responsible for the yellow color and probably also the pungent taste (3 to 4%).