Scientific name: Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L.Burtt & R.M.Sm.

Family: Zingiberaceae

Synonym: Zerumbet speciosum J.C.Wendl, Costus zerumbet Pers.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Kuljon, Gandhamul, Madhunikkon.

English name: Shell ginger.

Description of the plant: A perennial rhizomatous herb. Leaves petiolate, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acuminate at the apex, broadly acute at the base, smooth on both sides with hairy margins. The flowers are white, tipped in pink, and borne in long pendant arches. In some varieties, there is no pink in the tip. Fruits rounded, densely hairy.

Alpinia zerumbet

Plant parts used: Leaf, rhizome.

Ethnomedicinal uses: Decoction prepared from the leaves of the plant, bath is advised to have once a day for five days to treat fever.

The fresh rhizomes of the plant are applied to treat ringworms.

Leaves of the plant are used for the treatment of cardiac weakness and hypertension.

An extract is made with the leaves of the plant; hot bath is advised to have with that extract once a day until the skin disease is cured.

Distribution: It is cultivated throughout the country near homesteads and in gardens.

Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here