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Botany
· Plant leafy, 1 to 1.5 m tall and with 5 to 6 leaves.
Rhizomes bright yellow inside, thick and cylindric.
· Leaves: green blade oblong, 30 to 45 cm long and 10
to 15 cm wide. Petiole as long as the blade.
· Flowers: peduncle 15 cm or more in length and borne
within the tuft of leaves. Spikes 10 to 20 cm in length and about
5 m in diameter. Floral bracts pale green, ovate, 3 to 4 cm long,
coma bracts tinged with pink. Flowers pale yellow, as long as
the bracts.
· Fruits: capsules.
Distribution
Widely distributed in
the Philippines in and about towns, sometimes in open waste places and
sometimes planted.
Part utilized
· Rhizome.
· Collect the whole year round. |
· Rinse, removes roots, section into pieces, steam and sun-dry.
Chemical constituents,
characteristics and Pharmacological Effects
Volatile oil, 3-5% - tumerol (alcohol), d-alpha
phellandrene, carvone, camphor, curcumone; fat, 3%; starch, 30%; resin;
curcumin (pigment).
Pungent and bitter tasting,
warming.
Improves Ch'i circulation.
Anti -contusion.
Yellow orange color comes from yellow pigment in the rhizomes called
curcumin.
Believed to have antioxidant, antiinflammatory, cholesterol-lowering,
and anticarcinogenic activity.
Antiinflammatory activity has been compared to topical hydrocortisone.
Folkloric
Uses
· Fevers, dysentery,
abdominal pain, flatulence, abdominal spasm, arthritis: Decoction of
rhizome as tea.
· Menstrual irregularities
· Contusions and associated painful swelling.
· Antiseptic for wounds: Crush rhizome and apply to wounds.
· Externally, rhizomes are applied to insect bites, ringworm,
bleeding.
· Dosage: Decoction of 2 to 6 gms dried material.
· Condiment and coloring for food.
New Age
· Improves Qi (chi)
circulation. Chi is the basis of traditional Eastern medicine. In chinese
parlance, chi means 'spirit.' In new-age speak, good health is synonymous
with free-flowing energy through meridian pathways. A blocked Qi flow
is associated with disease or ill-health.
Others
Approved by German health
authorities for the treatment of dyspeptic complaints.
Recent uses and preparation:
Wounds and swelling
O intment: Wash the unpeeled ginger. Chop the rhizomes to fill half
a glass of water. Sauté with one glass of coconut oil on low
heat for five minutes. Place in a clean bottle and label.
Antiseptic for wounds: Extract juice of the fresh rhizome and apply
directly on the wound or swelling.
Gas pain in adults: Decoction from thumb-sized rhizome in a glass of
water reduced to half.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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