Botany
Tagbak-babae is a herbaceous plant growing to about 2 meters tall. Leaves are oblong, 30 to 60 cm long, 10 to 13 cm wide, smooth on both surfaces except on the edges and at the base where it is hairy. Bracts are large spathaceous, about 2 cm long. Calyx is spathaceous, urn-shaped, cleft on one side, irregularly toothed, and as long as the corolla tube, 10 to 13 mm long. Corolla tube is broad, with the lobes, white, silky, broad, oblong, about 2 cm in length and 7 mm wide. Lip is about 3 cm long, broad, and yellow with purple spots.

Distribution
- In primary forests at low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines in most or all islands and provinces.
- Also occurs in Borneo.

Parts used
Fruit, seeds.

Uses
Folkloric
Decoction of fruit or crushed seeds used in cases of gastralgia with tympanitisa.
Decoction also used as puerpueral bath and for fevers.

Studies
• Phytochemicals: Study isolated one kavalactone and four labdane-type diterpenoids, one chacone and two flavanones from the rhizomes of A. malaccensis.
• Antimicrobial / Antioxidant: In a study screening Zingiberaceae extracts for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, M. malaccensis showed significant antimicrobial activity. All extracts showed strong antioxidant activity comparable to or higher than that of a-tocopherol.

Availability
Wild-crafted.
Seeds and extracts in the cybermarket.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Alpinia malaccensis / Nuchnipa Nuntawong, Apichart Suksamrarn / Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 36 (2008) 661–664
(2)
Screening of Zingiberaceae extracts for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities / Habsah, M.; Amran, M.; Mackeen, M. M et al / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2000 Vol. 72 No. 3 pp. 403-410 / DOI
10.1016/S0378-8741(00)00223-3