Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe
Local Name: Ekangi
Synonyms: Shoti, phaulga, kachur.
Scientific Name: Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe.
Family: Zingiberaceae.
Duration: Parennial.
Growth Habit: Herb.
Kingdom | Plantae – Plants |
Subkingdom | Tracheobionta – Vascular plants |
Superdivision | Spermatophyta – Seed plants |
Division | Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants |
Class | Liliopsida – Monocotyledons |
Subclass | Zingiberidae |
Order | Zingiberales |
Family | Zingiberaceae – Ginger family |
Genus | Curcuma L. – curcuma |
Species | Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe – zedoary |

Figure: Ekangi ( Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe)
Plant Descrition:
Rhizome light yellow inside. Leaf tufts 1-1.2 m high. Leaves 4-6, lamina oblong-lanceolate, glabrous on both surfaces, acuminate at apex, and cuneate at base. Spikes radicale, appearing before leaf, flowers purplish pink.
Chemical constituents:
Rhizome contains an essential oil, sesquiterpenes, curcumol curcumadiol, furanodiene and its iso-derivatives, dehydrocurdione and zederone. The rhizome also contains cytotoxic components, curcuminoids. Main constituent of the essential oil is a sesquiterpene, curzerenone. The sesquiterpene, zedoarone, an antifungal constituent, ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate and curcuminoids have also been isolated from the oil (Ghani, 2003).
Used Plant part:
Rhizomes tubers and leaves are used. But only rhizome is used for fever.
Common use of the plant:
• Flatulence
• Dyspepsia clears the throat.
• Diarrhea.
• Cough cold.
• Fever.
• Bronchitis.
• Dropsy.
Local Use of the study:
- Fever.
Diagnosis of the disease:
Characterized by raise in body temperature.
Preparation:
Rhizome is collected from the plant. Then decoction is formed by rhizome. Then the decoction mixed with long pepper, cinnamon and honey with right measurement.
Treatment:
Daily 1 spoon decoction of the rhizome, with long pepper, cinnamon and honey together are taken orally for 3-4days.