Hedychium Spicatum
Other Names : Spiked Ginger Lilly, Kapur Kachri, Kapurkachari, Shati, Kachri, Kapurakachari, Kapurkachari, Kapurkachali, Kapur, Goul kachora, Seena kachora, kachora, Gandhashati, Katcholam, Katchooram, Kapurakachari, Gablakachari, Kachur, kachoor, Bankela, Kachur, Banhaldi, Shalwi, Sheduri, Poolankizangu, Kichili Kizongu, Gandhakachuralu, Gandhasunthi, Gemberlelie, Sanna Oil
It is a limb of the Ginger family Zingiberaceae. It is a small hardy ginger with bright and large white and orange flowers and is indigenous to the subtropical Himalayan regions in India at an altitude of 1000 to 3000 m.
Health Benefits and Uses of Hedychium Spicatum
Rhizome of Hedychium is aromatic, acidic, bitter, tonic, pungent, carminative, stomachic, stimulant, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, antiseptic, vasodilator and anti-inflammatory.
- Known as Shati in Ayurveda, Kappor Katcheri herb and the essential oil extracted from the rhizomes of this plant through steam distillation process has been in use traditionally for treating respiratory problems (like bronchitis and asthma), wounds, fever, ulcers, cough, indigestion, dyspepsia, hiccough, inflammation and certain other eye problems.
- It is useful in the treatment of liver complaints, and is also used in treating fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea, inflammation, pains and snake bite.
- The root is used in Tibetan medicine, it is said to have an acrid taste and heating potency.
- It is used in the treatment of indigestion and poor circulation due to thickening of the blood
- It has insect repellent properties, and is also used as a dye and perfume for making ‘abir’ powder used in ‘Holi’
References
- Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
- Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993.
- Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994 ISBN 81-900489-0-2
- Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
