Herbs from Distant Lands

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Russelia equisetiformis - Fountainbush

PLANT PROFILE

Russelia equisetiformis is a perennial, evergreen subshrub native to Mexico and Central America. Because of it's beautiful red flowers (pink, yellow and white varieties also exist), abundantly covering it's elegantly weeping, needle-thin green stems. This plant is nowadays more or less popular in most tropical and subtropical regions in whole world, as an ornamental garden plant. But most of it's owners are totally unaware of the fact, that Russelia has much more to offer than just it's beauty.
Only in few countries like Mexico, Colombia, Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan and China, some people heard of great medicinal qualities of this plant. Which is very rarely mentioned in herbal encyclopedias, and therefore still very little known even to herbalists, that can see it in their local garden centers. But more than decade ago first scientific medical researches on this herb emerged, and more and more is coming recently. With Nigeria being the leader that made more research testing healing properties of this plant, than other countries all together. It might be not surprising, as it seems to be quite often used by Nigerian folk healers to treat cancer, malaria and inflammatory diseases.

The genus Russelia is currently classified as the members of plantain family, Plantaginaceae. But in older books it is sometimes placed in the families of Scrophulariaceae or Veronicaceae. The name Russelia honours Alexander Russell (1715 - 1768), who was a naturalist and physician, which means that plants has interested him from botanical point of view, but probably more for it's usefulness for his medical practices. And it was Nikolaus von Jacquin (1727 - 1817) that gave this name to that genus. He also studied medicine, botany and chemistry, and it is noted that he spent four years in the West Indies and Central America.
Therefore it is possible that in some of their works, some nowadays forgotten knowledge about medicinal use of this plant has been recorded. And surely the herb that is highly acclaimed as a powerful medicine, yet with such a limited information available on it's traditional applications and biological and pharmacological actions like Russelia equisetiformis, is worth very deep research.
So If anyone of you will ever have a chance to access A. Russell's or N. Jacquin's writings and will find some unwritten here information, please let me know. Also if you will find some knowledge that I didn't disclose in Medicinal Uses section, form sources in Spanish or other that I sadly can not access, please write in comments below or email me. I would be very grateful, as I classified this plant for my favorites list. Both because of it's very attractive look combined with low maintenance and high drought resilience. And for the fact that it's infusions being said to be potent cure for some serious conditions, while improving general health by cleaning the blood, also please my taste buds very much. It's one of those herbal teas, that I drink not when I have to due to need for remedy, but when I want to. As it tastes nice and makes me feel good.

Russelia equisetiformis has many common names in English, that relates to it's appearance : Fountainbush, Fountain Plant, Coral Fountain, Coral Plant, Coral Blow, Firecracker Fern, Firecracker Plant, Firecracker Bush, Firecracker flower.
Here are some of it's names in other languages : Coralillo (Spanish), Rasili (Hindi), Bao Zhang Zhu
(Chinese), Plante Corail (French), Coral de Italia (Italian), Cola de Caballo (Mexico, Colombia) - but this name is also used there for Equisetum species, Flor de Coral, Lagrima do Diablo (Brazil), Coral de Sao, Lagrimas de Amor, Lagrimas de Cupido, Lagrimas de Jupiter (Cuba), Lluvia de Coral, Lluvia de Fuego (Ecuador), Lagrimas de Venus (Dominican Republic), Coralito (Paraguay).
Ruselia equisetiformis is sometimes still called by it's synonym Russelia juncea.

CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

Russelia eguisetiformis is a peculiar shrub, it's stems are thin and quite straw-like, reminding stalks of Equisetum plants. But it's main stems which sprout strait from the underground base, or from older main stems, have initially tiny leaves. As it grow bigger each main stem produce multiple off-stems from each node, in radiant manner. Those needle-like thin side stems grows no leaves, but are evergreen and play leaves role itself. The main stems becomes brown and woody with age, but it never gets very thick. It usually grows not higher than 2 m, and has weeping nature. Thanks to which Russelia is a great plant to grow in hanging baskets, in pots on pillars or on a slope terrain (in Egypt it is planted for ornamental and slope erosion protection purposes). But it also looks beautiful on vast open flat space, where it's natural character of growth is creating fountain water flow looking shape.
Fountainbush grows naturally in open spaces, on hillsides or river banks, and creates colonies, that in humid, tropical climate can easily become invasive. It's underground, main stems base has nature of rhizomes and create clump that can expand vastly. And it's main stems that touch the ground starts to grow roots in short time. Which makes it easy to propagate this plant threw division of clump or layering, but it can be also propagated from cuttings or seeds.
Russelia equisetiformis has beautiful flowers, which although small, appear in such an abundance that it makes this plant very showy. The most popular are Fountainbush plants with red flowers, but varieties with pink, yellow or white flowers can be also found. Russelia produce it's flowers during warm, sunny and not to wet months, therefore in some climate zones it can have it's color for whole year round, while in other it will only flower shortly. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Fountainbush plants like tropical and subtropical climate, but it can also grow as a perennial plant in warm temperate climate. The branches will be killed by frost, but if temperatures will not be lower then -8 ºC then it's underground base will survive and the plant will regrow in spring. In colder areas it is sometimes grown as an annual, or grown in pots that are kept indoors over winter, in bright spot.
R. equisetiformis likes full sun and light shade, and will not do well in strong shade. It grows fast and robust in high temperatures in rich, moist but well drained soils (with pH between 6.1 and 7.8), but can tolerate any kind of soil, and moderate salinity. It is drought resistant but do not tolerate waterlogging.
This plant is absolutely low maintenance. Older, well established plants doesn't require watering, except during extreme, long period droughts. It's young branches overgrown and naturally cover those old unattractive looking one, that will eventually die and turn into compost. So pruning is generally not needed, except for when you want to curb the plant's size, or in cold climate when you want to remove whole dead above-ground part after winter, to give more sun to new springs coming up from plant's roots. Russelia is actually one of those plants that looks best when left alone uninterrupted, which let them form it's natural beautiful shape.
I have found information that R. equisetiformis can be found from sea level to 1400 m elevation. But I've seen it growing great in Baguio, the Philippines, in areas over 1600m height, and greatly resisting destructive force of strong tajfun winds. In Hawaii, it is recommended for planting in areas near the beach, as Russelia is salt and wind tolerant and help prevent soil erosion.
Fountainbush can be affected by mites, nematodes and caterpillars, but it's resilience and resistance to pests and diseases is rather much higher than that of average plants.

I didn't found any information about the best time for harvesting of R. equsetiformis stems, except for one, that in China it is harvested during summer. So I can only guess that it is more medicinally potent during flowering period. But this not necessarily has to be true, as while level of some chemical compound is on rise in plants while in bloom, levels of other substances in the stems often drops. There is also no specification if flowers itself are more valuable than Russelia stems, or if color of flowers makes much difference on it's healing powers. And generally whole flowering or not branches are cuted for drying in bundles or to be used fresh. The flowers are easily falling off the stems during the process, so at the end you have mostly bare stems left anyway. But I'm planning to make one day an effort do gather only separate flowers, to see if infusion from it tastes any better that one from stems only (so you can look for updates here).

CULINARY USES

Russelia equisetiformis open flowers can be picked straight from the bush to suck out it's nectar threw the bottom of pulled flower tubular corolla. Although because of the small size of the flower, there in not much of nectar in each. The easiness of pulling it, and usual abundance of open flowers at one time on even small plant, makes Rusellia a lovely sweet treat.
Tea made from fresh flowering Fountainbush stems (I didn't bother yet to dry it to see if it changes anything), has such a mild taste that it is even hard to characterize it. But there is something truly pleasant about it. It is almost like drinking pure water, but the water that is much softer, smoother yet richer. And it makes you feel good while drinking and even more after. I know how weird it sound, so I strongly recommend for everyone to try it for themselves. And even if you do not enjoy the taste that is at the brink of absence, then you can at least keep in mind all of Russelia tea health benefits.
The 'feels-good' effect of Fountainbus Tea has been scientifically confirmed and explained. Water extracts of this plant showed to have stronger antidepressant action of Prozac, and the herb was confirmed to ease excitement, irritation and improve sleep in rodents, as well as act as analgesic and anticonvulsant.

MEDICINAL USES

Russelia equisetiformis is not popular as a medicinal plant, except maybe for some rural parts of Mexico, Colombia and Nigeria. But among those that know it's healing virtues, whether they are folk healers, shamans, modern herbalists or even orthodox medicine trained doctors. It posses a high reputation of an important herbal cure. This fact has resulted in small (but growing) number of scientific pharmacological and phytochemical studies, that have been conducted in last decade, mostly in Nigeria, but also in India, Pakistan, Egypt and Japan. But both modern scientific data and ethnobotanic reports of use of Russelia remain scarce. Yet there is enough evidence to consider moderate use of this herb as safe, and general directories for it's utilization are seen.

The whole stems of Fountainbush fresh or dried, are taken orally in form of infusions or decoctions.

In Nigeria R. equisetiformis is used by traditional healers to treat malaria, cancer, leukemia, diabetes, pain and inflammatory diseases. It is also used to promote hair growth among the Yoruba tribe.

In Mexico this herb is used as remedy for kidney diseases, diabetes, cancer, inflammatory diseases and tuberculosis.

In Colombia the fresh entire plant decoction is taken orally to cure kidney stones.

In China (mostly in Fujian), Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners call this herb - Baozhangzhu, saying it is sweet and neutral in nature, with actions of reuniting bone fraction, promoting blood circulation and dispelling stasis.
For swellings, bruises, injuries and sprains from falls, knife wounds, fractures and tendon injuries, decoction of 10-15g is drunk. Or appropriate amount of fresh plant is smashed and applied as poultice.

Fountainbush medicinal actions are described as : antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and analgesic, antibacterial, antiplasmodial - antimalarial, anthelmintic and hair growth promotor. It also has been reported to be anticonvulsant and strong antidepressant, acting as central nervous system depressant.

Russelia equisetiformis contains : flavonoids, polyphenols and phenols derivatives (gallic acid, caffeoylquinic acids, isoverbascoside, glycosylated flavonoids, methylgallate, vicenin
II, chrysoeriol-7-O-ß-D4C1 glucopyranoside, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-ß-D4C1-
arabinoside, quercetrin, apigenin, luteolin, acetoside; 6, 8-diglucosylapigenin, 6-arabinosyl-8-glucosyl apigenin, orientin, vitexin, apigenin-O-glucuronide, chlorogenic acid, methyl protocatechuate, p-coumaric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid, caftaric acid, syringic acid, catechin ), saponins, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids, triterpenes of lupane type (including lupeol), phenylethanoid glycosides (russectinol, verbascoside, russeliaoside, isoverbascoside), iridoids and iridoid glucosides, phenyl propane glucosides, phenyl ethanoids, lignan glucosides and flavonoid glucosides.

It has around 20 essential oil compounds, the major constituents are : hexadecanoic acid methyl ester 11.04%, 11-methyltetracosane 8.44%, n-docosane 7.66%, α-pinene 7.26%, octadecanoic acid methyl ester 6.37%, eicosanoic acid methyl ester 6.16%, ctadecanoic acid ethyl ester 5.69%, geranic acid 5.60%, methyl tetradecanoate 5.27% and beta-pinene 4.60%.

Methanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis has been observed to have protective effect on DNA.

The study in Nigeria, has brought conclusion that the ethanol extract of R. equisetiformis possesses antimalarial effect (against Plasmodium berghi), which supports the folk medicine claim of this herb's usefulness in the treatment of malaria.

Recently, two flavonoid compounds isolated from R. equisetiformis were reported to have potential analgesic activity.

Russelia equisetiformis aerial parts alcoholic extracts has shown generally significant but not very strong inhibition against bacteria and fungi like : Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pasteurella multocida, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria alternata. Dichloromethane extract from R. equisetiformis roots showed strong inhibition on Shigella flexneri and significant against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa but no effect on Escherichia coli.

Hydro-alcohol extract exhibited significant hepatoprotective effect against carbon tetrachloride injured liver cells.

N-butanol and water extracts of Russelia equisetiformis has shown stronger antidepressant actions than Fluoxetine (Prozac).

Topical application of methanol extract of the whole plant of R. equisetiformis has hair growth promoting effect on rats, produced a significant increase in the rate of hair growth (P<0.05), in a concentration dependent manner.

Studies has shown that lupeol isolated from extract of Russelia equisetiformis possesses anti-inflammatory activity in acute, and certain aspects of chronic inflammation.

Laboratory animal study suggests that R. equisetiformis methanol extract possesses anticonvulsant activity, and may be an alternative supplementary therapy for the management and/or control of convulsions and epilepsy.

Experiment shows that R. equisetiformis is a depressant on the central CNS and acts by blocking the neurotransmitter GABA.

Study results suggests that aqueous-ethanol extract of R. equisetiformis possesses the membrane stabilizing activity

Sunday, February 2, 2020

Kaempferia galanga - Kencur, Galanga

Polska wersja

PLANT PROFILE

Kaempferia galanga is a small rhizomatous plant from Zingiberaceae family. It is native to tropical and subtropical Asia, from India, south of China, Indochina, Taiwan, the Philippines, to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Although in comparison to it's cousins Ginger and Turmeric, this plant is very little known worldwide and highly underutilized. In many region of South-East Asia Kaempferia galanga is highly valued as a spice and medicinal herb.
In some parts of Indonesia it is even the one of the most popular condiments, and many local traditional dishes poses it's unique taste thanks to the plant's rhizomes called there Kencur. It is also one of the seven most important and most often used herbs in Jamu - traditional Indonesian herbal medicine formulas, mostly prepared in form of drinks, but also pills.
Kencur is a very aromatic herb, it's rhizomes has much stronger, yet more subtle aroma than Ginger, and therefore it is sometimes called Aromatic Ginger. It was used in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Siddha, Unani and other traditional systems of healing in South Asia since ancient times. Mainly for treatment of respiratory and digestive ailments, infectious diseases, to alleviate pains, and relax mind and body. Some sources says that it was even used in ancient Egypt and traded to Europe in Medieval times. But nowadays K. galanga is almost totally unheard and unavailable in the West, and even in many places where it is native, like in the Philippines it is very little known. But even in regions where it is not very commonly used in cooking or healing practices, this plant is often at the brink of extinction. Due to over harvesting from it's wild state caused by it's high prices, as the market demands are bigger than supply, due to slow growth rate of these small plants. But it is also due to loss of it's natural habitat - open spaces, wild fields, forest meadows.

I remember when four years ago I was looking for this wonderful tiny plant, of which I read so many good things about, but never had a chance to try it. And while on conference with farmers of Suyo, Ilocos Sur, the Philippines, I was asking them if they could help me to get this plant. I was hoping to find it somewhere there, as Leonardo Co (R.I.P. our great herbalist) wrote in his book that it grows wild and is used in that region. And one of the farmers recognized Kaempferia galanga from the drawing in Co's book, and told me : - '' Yes, I know that plant. There used to be a lots of it growing on flat lands near here. But they've killed it all with herbicides to plant rice.'' It's a sad irony. As the lack of knowledge of how much more valuable '' the weed '' was than a rice, lead to a huge loss, for the environment, community of herbalists and economy of the unaware land owners. I described similar sad story of degradation of folk medicine knowledge here.

Today, not only in Indonesia, but also in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, India and China, Kaempferia galanga is planted both in small private herbal gardens and growing number of big scale plantations. To help farmers with the problem of slow process of natural propagation of the plants, governments agri-scientists made researches on best ways for in vitro propagation. In many countries, in last few decades there was also many studies conducted, to test the plants biological and pharmacological properties and identify it's chemical constituents. Therefore many of it's traditionally attributed medicinal values has been scientifically validated, and safety of it's use confirmed.
Aside from it's use as a cooking ingredient and herbal cure, rhizomes but also roots and leaves of Kaempferia galanga are used to extract essential oil, that is used in perfumes and cosmetics.

Kaempferia galanga is often called Sand Ginger, as it shares many similarities with it's famous cousin Ginger, grows mainly on sandy soils. It's other common name in English is Resurrection Lily, and this name relate to the fact that above ground part of this plant is dying entirely shortly after start of the dry season. The plant is then staying in the state of dormancy for few months, to get back to life and grow new leaves from it's rhizomes after first strong rains.

Kaempferia galanga's rhizomes internationally used name in trade is Galanga or Kencur, I prefer the second name for it, as it helps to avoid mistake. Because unfortunately it is also very commonly called Galangal, which is very confusing as the real Galangal is the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga or Alpinia officinalis species. Kencur is also often mistaken with Boesenbergia rotunda. But there is no risk related to these confusions, as although all those four species rhizomes differ significantly in it's aroma and taste, it is still quite similar, and therefore those plants are often used interchangeably in cooking. All those four species shares also most of the same medicinal properties, and are mainly used to cure the same ailments.

Other Kaempferia galanga's vernacular names include : Cekur, Chengkur, Chekur (Malaysia, Indonesia), Ceuko, Cikur, Cekuh, Asauli, Soku, Sauleh (Indonesia), Ekangi, Chandramul (Bangladesh), Chandramulika, Sugandhavacha, Karcurah (Sanskrit), Chandramula (Hindi), Kacholam (Tamil), Kaccuri, Kaccolam, Kaccoram (Malayalam), Kacora (Kannada), Bithi Phaknur (in Assam, India), Homola (Kuki - Tripura, India), Yai Thamna Manbi (Manipur, India), Hingurupiyely, Ingurupiyali (Sri Lanka), Kun-sa-gamon, Maraba (Myanmar), Ban-ukon, Kenchoru (Japan), Sannae (Korea), Van Hom (Laos), Proh Hom, Hom Pro, Waan Hom (Thailand), Cam dia la, Dia lien, Sa khuong, Ngai mau, Son nai, Tam nai (Vietnam), Disol, Gisol, Doso, Kisol, Kosol (the Philippines), Saan noih, Sa geung (Chinese - Cantonese), Shan nai, San nai, Sha jiang (Chinese - Mandarin) Lille Galanga (Danish), Kentjoer (Dutch), Galanga camphré, Faux galanga (French), Kleiner Galgant, Gewürzlilie, Sandingwer (German), Kineszike piperoriza (Greek), Kvapusis imbierutis (Lithuanian), Maraba (Russian)

Kaempferia galanga was also known in the past under it's botanical synonyms like : Alpinia sessilis, Kaempferia humilis, Kaempferia latifolia, Kaempferia marginata, Kaempferia plantaginifolia, Kaempferia procumbens, but none of those is used today.

CULTIVATION AND HARVESTING

Kaempferia galanga is perennial rhizomatous plant closely related to Turmeric, but it grows much smaller. It grows no stem, and the leaves are growing straight from it's rhizomes. It is usually less than 10cm long, round or oval in shape, and lays flat on the ground (under full sun), or create more upright rosette (in stronger shade or when the rhizomes density is bigger in one spot, causing the multiple sprouting leaves the need to compete for the light). The plant prefers sandy or loamy soils that are well drained. It likes humid tropical climate, but the rhizomes and leaves will rot if during the rain season the water will overlog in the soil that it grows in.
Kencur requires season of extreme drought, so that it could have it's natural stage of annual few month dormancy. So regular watering while in organized cultivation, should be stopped at least for the period of tree weeks after all the leaves of the plant will gone dead dry. Also providing for this plant abundance of rich compost soil will not be beneficial, as the plants will grow more robust and will produce bigger rhizomes. But the quality of the rhizomes will be worse, because it will contain less essential oils, which is what makes Kencur so valuable as a aromatic condiment and gives it most of it's medicinal values.
The rhizomes and tuberous roots should be harvested only during the period of it's dormancy, from two weeks after it's last leaves will go dry, to the time before first rains. During certain period after dry season dormancy has started, aside from the rhizomes, also the tuberous elongated roots that grows from it can be harvested. But after two months or so (depends on how sunny and dry is the spot it grows in), those roots are shrinking, turning eventually dead dry. As the rhizomes are sucking all the storaged water out of those roots-tubers for it's own survival. If harvested during period of vegetation rhizomes quality will be low. But during vegetation time Kencur leaves might be harvested, to be used fresh (preferred), or dried in shade (drying will make it loose lots of it's aroma).
Kaempferia galanga is a perfect plant for inter cropping, due to it's nature of low growth and the fact that it like to grow in light shade. That is why it is often planted under fruit trees. But in nature it can be found growing under trees when there is enough light, or on open areas, under full exposure to often merciless scorching sun. Kencur plants in those arid sunny terrains, like hill slopes, often fold it's flat round leaves during very sunny, hot and dry days, and unfold when the dusk brings cool moist air, or when the rain comes. Sometimes when the rains are not coming for too long and even night air is dry, the leaves will get dry dead, but new leaves will grow immediately after the rain if it's not the dry season yet.
From my own experience I know, that although those Kencur plants that grow in harsh conditions under full sun produce smaller rhizomes. Those rhizomes are more aromatic than those from plants growing in shade. It's aroma can be so strong and persisting that even after few times of proper washing with good soap, your hands can smell pleasantly like Kencur rhizomes it was harvesting. And tiny slice will be spreading it's scent in whole room for long hours.
Kaempferia galanga is propagated threw rhizomes division. The rhizomes are compounded of round or elongated oblong shaped segments, from 0,5 - 5cm long. Each segment can expand or create new segments, increasing total rhizome size usually around five times in a year. This slow growth of Kencur, caused that nowadays more and more plantators are looking for it's propagation threw in vitro methods. And many agri-research institutes work on most efficient in vitro techniques for this plant.
K. galanga is generally free from pests and diseases, but Pseudomonas solanacearum is reported to cause bacterial wilt.

Essential oil of Kaempferia galanga rhizomes was found to possess strong nematicidal activity against cereal cyst nematodes (Heterodera avenae). Cereal cyst nematode is one of the most economically damaging endoparasite pests of wheat and causes numerous annual yield losses worldwide. Crude K. galanga extracts have shown 100% mortality in male, female and juvenile pine wood nematodes (Bursaphelenchus xylophillus) at a dose of 1000 µg/ml. In integrative agricultural management, the use of rhizome extract against the nematode Meloidogyne incognita, reduced utilization of nematicides. Kencur extracts shown also insecticidal activity against larvae of the polyphagous pest insect Spodoptera littoralis.

CULINARY USES

In culinary world Kaempferia galanga's rhizomes are mainly known under name of Kencur, as it is it's most commonly used name in Indonesia. The only country where those rhizomes are very common, and indispensable condiment ingredient of native cuisine. In other South Asian countries local cuisines, it is usually much less frequently used. And it is known under many of it's different local names, or under the name Galanga or Galangal. Because often it is used interchangeably with rhizomes of other plants species commonly called Galangal, which is Alpinia galanga, Alpinia officinalis and Boesenbergia rotunda, all of which posses similar aroma. In other parts of the world, this spice remain almost entirely unknown and unavailable, although there are records that it was traded in medieval and ancient times to Europe and Egypt.

In Indonesia Kencur rhizomes are highly valued for it's wonderful, intense, warm, spicy aroma and mildly bitter, spicy taste, and seen as necessary ingredient of many traditional dishes. It is used to flavor curries, vegetables, fish or meat rice meals, stews, stir-fries, the peanut sauce (sambal kacang) used mainly for grilled meat or steamed vegetables, and in paste to rub the famous Balinese roast duck.
Kencur is also one of the most important component of many formulas of Jamu, traditional Indonesian herbal drinks. Which are often considered to be more like a daily beverage with health benefits, or prophylactic well-being tea, than a cure in strictly medicinal terms.
Kencur rhizomes are used fresh, which can be grated, chopped or crushed. Or dried and sliced or powdererized.
In Sri Lanka the rhizomes are sometimes used dried and powdered, in aromatic spices blends like curry for cooking, but even more often as ingredient of Dahat Sarakku, a spices mix used for flavouring betel bits for chewing.
In China, Kaempferia galanga dried rhizomes powder is optional ingredient to the Five-spice Powder, and enjoying some popularity for flavouring broths and stews, particularly in the cooking of the Sichuan province.

Also fresh leaves and tuberous roots of Kencur are used for cooking in Indonesia. The tuberous roots reminds those of Fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) both in look, taste and aroma, which is much milder than that of rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga. And therefore it can be added to meals in bigger amounts.
The leaves has slightly different and much less intense aroma than Kencur rhizomes, and are used chopped as an addiction to salads or to flavour meals just like the rhizomes and tubers. It is sometimes also dried and used in powdered form, but unlike the rhizomes, the leaves are loosing much of it's aroma during drying.
Kencur leaves contain : potassium(201mg/100g), calcium (109mg/100g), magnesium(58mg/100g), iron (57mg/100g) and copper (0.6mg/100g).

AROMATHERAPY, PERFUMERY AND COSMETIC USES

Kaempferia galanga was utilized in Asia for it's very pleasant, warm, spicy-sweet, refreshing scent for centuries. The rhizomes fragrance was used to help with restlessness, stress, anxiety, depression, to soothe headache and other pains, for improving sleep and as an aphrodisiac. In traditional medicine (especially TCM) it is considered to have stimulating but relaxing quality. Personally I attribute stimulating quality only to it's minute doses, as I found bigger doses of Kencur either inhaled or ingested to be rather mind clearing yet sedative (even soporific). Animal tests results has suggested that K. galanga cause sedative and relaxant effects, as it showed reduction of locomotor activity, smooth muscle relaxant and vaso-relaxant actions, and indicates central nervous system (CNS) depressant and sleep inducing properties.
Today Kencur rhizome is still important ingredient in many Tibetan and Japanese incense formulas, mainly those used to promote awareness, overcome physical and mental exhaustion, ward off melancholy and sadness, increase energy, and create a peaceful and contemplative internal environment. Crushed fresh leaves are used as inhalant for giddiness and palpitations.
The rhizomes are attached to necklaces for their perfume. Powdered rhizomes and leaves are added to women face powders and body powders, and other cosmetics like creams and oils, not only for it's scent but also antiseptic properties (due to laboratory tests results K. galanga is also considered to posses anti-hiperpigmentation properties and sunsrceen protection activity). Lotions made from Kencur rhizomes are used as a remedy wash for dandruff or scabs on the head.
Kencur is chewed to remove bad odour of the mouth, and it's liquid extracts are used in mouthwashes. It is used as a deodorant, disinfectant and mosquito repellent. The rhizomes are also used for protecting clothes or food against insects, powdered rhizomes is used in linen sachets to repel moths.

Kaempferia galanga essential oil is obtained by still distillation or dried rhizomes or whole plants. It is almost impossible to found one on any market for home aromatherapy uses, and if you'll get lucky to find one, you might be discouraged by it's high price. But many big farming companies are nowadays producing Kencur essential oil to sell to industries ranging from producers of perfumes and cosmetics, to pharmaceutic companies and food factories. As it is widely utilized in making of perfumes, air refreshers, hair tonics, soaps, creams, scented candles and incenses, as well as medicines and flavorings.

Essential oils extracted from the rhizomes of K. galanga have shown considerable repellent and larvicidal activity against a number of mosquito species including : Aedes aegypti (notorious vector of the dengue and yellow fever viruses), Aedes togoi, Armigeres subalbatus, Anopheles barbirostris, Anopheles aconitus, Mansonia uniformis, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex gelidus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Culex pipens pallens. This essential oil exert repellent effect against A. aegypti mosquito (effective dose (ED 50) = 30.73 µg/cm2) with a complete protection time of about 3h without irritating human skin. This protection time increases further by the addition of 10% vanillin.

MEDICINAL USES

Kaempferia galanga has been used as a medicine in South Asia since ancient times. Nowadays it is one of the most frequently used medicinal plant in Indonesia, and important remedy used in many parts of India, Indochina, China, Japan, The Philippines and Papua New Guinea. But despite that many scientific studies has been conducted in those countries, which validated most of the claims of medicinal properties traditionally attributed to this herb. And the fact that it is included in the list of 112 medicinal herbs and spices, issued by the international organization for standardization. Kencur is still almost entirely unknown in Western Herbalism.

Kaempferia galanga's aromatic rhizomes warms body and induce sweating, it is : anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, amebicidal, anti-oxidant, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic, carminative, anticancer (antineoplastic), analgesic (antinociceptive), anti-allergic and vulnerary (stimulates wound healing). It is considered to be stimulating in small doses, but bigger doses has sedative effect. It is smooth muscle relaxant and vaso-relaxant. It also acts as monoamine oxidase inhibitor, which means that it is a powerful antidepresant herb. An ethanolic extract of Indonesian sample of the plant has shown some antiplatelet aggregating activity.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine K. galanga rhizomes are said to be removing dampness, promoting qi-flowing for dispersing food and suppressing pains.
Kencurs's tuberous roots also called fingerroots and it's leaves, are less aromatic and therefore less potent than the rhizomes, but are generally considered to has the same effects on body and mind.

Kaempferia galanga rhizomes contains a volatile oil, triterpinoids, sterols, resins, glycosides, flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin), alkaloids, fatty acids (oleic acid, palmitic acid, octadecanoic acid), saponins, glycerides, aminoacids, starch and protein.
Because of the fact that the most important biologicly active substance in rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga is it's essential oil, a lot of studies has been made focusing on it's constituents. The volatile oil content of the rhizomes of K. galanga is around 1.11% v/w, and it exhibited yellow color and posses a characteristic warm, spicy scent. About 98.98% of the essential oil constituents have been isolated and identified.
The major chemical constituents of the volatile oil from rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga are : ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (from 18.42% to 87.4%), methyl cinnamate (0.04 - 23.23%), ethyl cinnamate (17.48 - 29.48%), γ-cadinene (9.81%), carvone (11.13%), eucalyptol (9.59%), pentadecane (6.41%), 1, 8-cineole (6.54 - 11.5%), δ-carene (6.19%), borneol (2.87 - 5.64%), trans-cinnamaldehyde (5.3 - 7.03%), camphene (2.47%), α-pinene (1.28%), benzene (1.33%). It also contain : propionic acid, 3-carene, kaempferal, cinnamaldehyde, undecanone, isopropyl cinnamate, dicyclohexylpropane-dinitrile, dipentene dioxide, ethyl cyclohexyl acetate, cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate, 2-heptadecanone, 4-methyl isopulegone, camphidine, delta-3-carene, cymene, alpha terpineol, alpha gurjunene, germacrenes, cadinenes, caryophyllenes,

Kencur leaves contain essential oil (probably as it's smell suggest it is is very similar in chemical composition to essential oil of the rhizomes), phenols, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, cyanidin, delphinidin, genistein), alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, ferulic acid, coumaric acid and butein.

Kaempferia galanga rhizomes but sometimes also leaves or fingerroots, are traditionally consumed to treat many kinds of different ailments. It is most potent in it's fresh form, because most of it's healing properties it posses due to content of powerful essential oils. And drying, and even more grinding to powder, is causing loss of essential oil content. Nevertheless capsules or pills from dried powderized rhizomes or leaves are often made. Kencur powder is also used to prepare infusions, which are also made from slices of dried or fresh rhizomes. Decoctions can be also made from it, but have to be prepared with caution to prevent evaporation of essential oil. Kencur is used mainly for :

- Digestive tract problems. It is commonly used to just enhance appetite and improve digestion, but also to cure : indigestion, flatulence, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, constipation, epigastric distention, nausea, vomiting, sea sickness, duodenal ulcers, abdominal pains, intestinal parasites. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is used for cold pain in the gastric cavity and abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea due to cold wetness, and fullness of chest and abdomen.

- Respiratory tract problems. It is often eaten, but also used in form of steam inhalations, incense or pure extracted essential oil, or paste from crushed rhizomes is applied as poultice on chest or back, as a treatment for : cough, shortness of breath, asthma, bronchitis, nasal obstruction, cold feeling in the chest. The rhizome powder mixed with honey is taken for cough and pectoral affections. Powderized rhizomes snuff is also taken for catarrh.

- Infectious diseases. Kencur is widely used to fight many different kinds of infections, whether bacterial, fungal, plasmodial or parasitic, whether in throat, stomach, intestines, lungs, bladder or skin. Most commonly treated are : cold, fever, tetanus, cholera, leprosy, malaria, scabies and intestinal parasites.
Laboratory tests results has proved that Kaempferia galanga posses significant antibacterial activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Enterobacter aerogens, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Vibrios cholerae, Vibrios parahaemolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Seratia marcescens.
Kencur has also been proved to be effective antifungal agent, against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatu and Candida albicans (K.galanga essential oil inhibited C. albicans with an inhibition zone of 31.0 mm., which was stronger than that of standard antifungal Clotrimazole (diameter = 25.0 mm.).)
Kaempferia galanga extract exhibited amebicidal activity in vitro against three species of Acanthomoeda; A. culbertsoni, A. Castellanii, and A. Polyphaga that were not lytic for normal macrophage culture.
Kencur rhizome extracts also demonstrated activity against Plasmodium falciparum, parasite that cause malaria.
This herb has also been found to inhibit activity of Epstein-Barr virus (human herpesvirus type), and some scientists says that it is potentially antiviral. But I did not found reports of traditional uses of K. galanga against viral diseases, except for external use in treatment of influenza in infants and mumps. Although this herb is often mentioned as effective against fevers and diarrhoea, which in general terms might include many different viral infections that cause febrile conditions or diarrhoea.

- Cardiac and circulatory problems. In South Asia, Kencur is a traditional remedy for hypertention and is used to improve blood circulation. In Thailand, the dried rhizome has been used as cardiotonic, in India it is used with other herbs for heart diseases. Tests on rats has shown that Kaempferia galanga rhizomes posses significant anti-hypertensive activity due to vasorelexation. It is also reported to have smooth muscle relaxant properties. Crushed fresh leaves are used as inhalant for giddiness and palpitations.

- Pain. Kaempferia galanga rhizomes and leaves are often taken to relief chest pain, stomach ache, headache, toothache, odontalgia, menstrual pain and rheumatic pain, thanks to it's analgesic, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. It is not only consumed but sometimes also applied mashed on place in pain, for example on forehead for headache and around the tooth or into cavity to relieve toothache.
Results of studies on antinociceptive activity of K. galanga, indicates a codeine like mechanism by binding with opioid receptors. Therefore Kencur is suggested to be possibly a good, safer substitute for the opioid drugs for the management of chronic severe pain like in cancer and other various pains.

- Diabetes. Kencur rhizomes has been for centuries used to treat diabetes. Tests on mice has shown it's potential antihyperglycemic activity.

- Urinary problems. Traditional use of Kencur in treatment of strangury and urolithiasis, is probably mainly thanks due to it's strong diuretic, as also analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions. But it's smooth muscle relaxant action might be also beneficial, as many drugs with this propertie are known to help body to pass urinary stones out.

- Stress, anxiety, mental exhaustion, depression, insomnia. Kaempferia galanga is well known for and widely used to bring relief to stress and anxiety, improving mood, and bringing good sleep, or increase libido. Minute doses can bring relax but stimulate central nervous system, while bigger doses act more like a sedative and has CNS depresant properties, decrease motor activity and respiratory rate.
I would say from my own experience that eating small bit (0,5cm) of fresh rhizome can slightly, kind of numb your body and weaken and slow muscles actions (animal studies has shown it's smooth muscle relaxant and vaso-relaxant actions), but in the same time sharpen senses of hearing and smell and clear mind. Bigger doses can make you fill drowsy even if you wasn't in sleepy mood at all.
In Papua New Guinea the plant rhizome is known as '' dream man '', as it has been reported to induce pleasant dreams and buoyant feelings and euphoria in big doses.
Some authors even state that in Papua New Guinea, Kencur rhizomes are used to produce hallucinations without side effects. But this claim might be a mistake in translation or misidentification of plant used in rituals. It might be also that Kaempferia galanga can cause visual alterations or hallucinations, but only in very big amounts, or after a special preparation, or in combination with other plants or mushrooms material.

- Inflammation related disorders. Kencur is widely used as an anti-inflammatory herb, it brings relief in conditions ranging from nasal blockage and asthma, stomach, ears and skin inflammations, to rheumatism, taken both internally and applied externally.
Clinical studies conclusion is that Kaempferia galanga extract has the same effectiveness as Meloxicam in the treatment of knee osteoarthitis.

- Cancer. Kaempferia galanga is traditionally used in treatment of different kinds of tumours, it posses antineoplastic and apoptotic activity.
Crude rhizome extracts shown antineoplastic activity against human colorectal adenocarcinoma, while being non-toxic to normal Vero cell cultures.
Methanolic extracts of K. galanga have shown inhibitory effect on human cardiac fibroblast (cell line HCF-7) and human T cell leukemia (HT-29 cell line) only at doses more than 250 µg/ml. Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate - the main chemical constituent of galanga extracts inhibits proliferation of human hepatocellular liver carcinoma (Hep G2 cell line) in a dose dependent manner, and has shown highly cytotoxic to He La cells.
In vitro studies has shown that hexane extract of K. galanga significantly inhibited cellural tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis and melanogenesis-related proteins expression in B16F10 melanoma cells. Indicating it's potential in therapeutic treatment for skin tumours and other skin hyperpigmentation disorders.

- Women's ailments. Kencur rhizomes are often consumed by women to bring relief from menstrual pain and migranes, the rhizomes paste is also applied externally as poultice for women's abdominal pain. It is also taken to stimulate menstruation and as a contraceptive. In Papua New Guinea the rhizomes are taken to induce abortion.
Kencur rhizomes or leaf infusion is given to women after birth as a part of postnatal treatment, to regain body strength, improve blood circulation, reduce bleeding and encourage wound healing, to make the body feel warm, to encourage contraction of the uterus, to expel wind, to prevent fit and as a laxative, to prevent bad body odour. It is also taken to stimulate lactation.

- Children's ailments. Kaempferia galanga is considered to be safe and is traditionally often given as a cure for children. It is mainly given for children as a tonic, to help them with digestion, improve appetite, stop diarrhoea or vomiting, also against for cold, as expectorant to help remove phlegm and clear runny nose. But it is also used to treat fevers, caused by many different kinds of infections including tetanus, as well as for most of conditions that adults are taking this herb for.
For treatment of influenza in infants, paste is made from grounded 1 rhizome of Kencur, 2 leaves of Pepper Cubeb and few tablespoon of warm water, it is then smeared around the nostrils. For mumps, rhizomes are chopped and applied as poultice on the swollen glands for 30 minutes 3 times daily. For treatment of child ear inflammation, 2 Kencur rhizomes and half nutmeg seed is grounded and 2 tablespoons of warm water added, the paste is smeared around the ear.

- Spleen disorders. Kencur is traditionally considered to be a good remedy for spleen problems.

- Cholesterol excess, overweight. Kaempferia galanga efficacy to help streamline the body is said to been known since antiquity. It is used to treat dyslipidemia and various lipid disorders. It's effectiveness is probably mainly due to stimulation of production of bile, which utilize bad cholesterol.
There is a recipe for body slimming that circulate on internet : '' Kaempferia galanga rhizome brewed 1 plus 1 teaspoon of rice flour and palm sugar 1 slice with a glass of hot water. Allow a few moments and then drink 3 times a day regularly. ''

- Eyes diseases. Tea from Kencur leaves is taken for eyes infections and inflammations. Rhizome paste or water extract of rhizomes or leaves, are used as a poultice and lotions on affected eyes. Expressed rhizome juice is used as eye drops in case of sore eyes.

Kaempferia galanga rhizomes are also traditionally used to treat : ulcers, hemorrhoids, traumatic injuries, oedema, halitosis, acne, muscular swelling and epilepsy. In Bangladesh it is used by Chakma tribe for paralysis of arms and legs. In Myanmar dried Kencur flowers with honey are regularly taken as antiaging drug. Expressed juice of rhizome is orally taken as antidote. Dried rhizome powder is orally taken in a dose of 4 - 6g with boiling water for general well being.

Kaempferia galanga rhizomes are officially recognized as one of the 7 most important and commonly used ingredient in Jamu. Jamu are traditional Indonesian herbal formulas, some are prepared into form of pills, but majority of Jamu are drinks (infusions, decoctions, or simply mixtures of powdered or shredded herbs and water, usually served cold). Those Jamu drinks are not only taken as medicine at the times when the cure is surely needed. But also consumed by many Indonesians on daily basis, as a herbal beverage that tonify body and mind, improve health and prevent sickness. Here are three of the most popular Jamu formulas that contain Kencur as a main ingredient :

Jamu Beras Kencur - (kencur, rice, salt, sugar, tamarind) for rheumatism, sore muscles and joints.

Jamu Awet Ayu - general tonic for rejuvenation, adviced for health and beauty to women with imbalance in hormones.

Jamu Kunyit Asam - this is a recipe known for its benefits of cleaning the blood, removing body odor, improving circulation and reducing pain during menstruation.

Kaempferia galanga external applications are not less common or important than internal intake, in many South Asian regions it is used for a treatment in forms of :

- Crushed fresh rhizomes paste - is applied as a poultice on bacterial or fungal skin infections, skin inflammations and allergies, to bruises and wounds, on areas of snake bites, dog bites, caterpillar hair stings, and to hastens suppuration of boils. Kencur paste poultices are also used topically to help with fever, sore throat, muscular rheumatism, swellings, abdominal pain, toothache, eyes infections, headache and to relief fatigue.

- The rhizome mixed with oil is used as an effective cicatrizant (stimulate wound healing by scar formation), Kencur oil is also used to massage area of sprain, and warmed to treat rheumatic region.

- Rhizome maceration (water or alcoholic) is applied as liniment for rheumatism.

- Rhizome powdered with salt and lemongrass is massaged into swollen area.

- Expressed rhizome juice is used as eye drops in case of sore eyes.

- Kencur leaves are used in lotions and poultices for sore eyes, sore throat, swellings, rheumatism and fevers.

- Fresh leaves are crushed and applied on forehead to sooth headaches.

- Fresh leaves are heated and adhered on wounds for healing by granulation.

- Crushed fresh leaves are used as inhalant for giddiness and palpitations.

- Decoction from rhizomes is used as gargle and for alleviating coughs, also for swollen gums and plaque prevention. Decoction from 6-15g of dried rhizome is also used for gargle in cases of fishbone caught in a throat.

- For mumps, rhizomes are chopped and applied as poultice on the swollen glands for 30 minutes 3 times daily.

- In Thailand, the crushed root mixed with whiskey is applied to the head as a headache treatment.

- A lotion prepared from the rhizome is used to remove dandruff or scales from the head.

- Powdered rhizomes are rubbed on fungal skin infections or sprinkled on wounds.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Kaempferia galanga is well known to be generally safe herb, which is why it is often given as a medicine to children. Nevertheless it is a powerful herb with strong actions, and that is why it need to be used in moderation, and with serious consideration. For example bigger doses of it can cause strong sedative effect, very beneficial for someone suffering insomnia due to stress. But this property can also be cause of risk, if someone will be driving any vehicle, under strong influence of Kencur. In the same way it's strong diuretic action, so helpful for those having problems with water retention, like oedema, can be bad for dehydrated person.
An examples of doses adviced for adults :
- Dried rhizome powder is orally taken in a dose of 4-6 g with boiling water for general well being.
- For cold pain in the gastric cavity and abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea due to cold wetness, cholera, fullness of chest and abdomen, indigestion, toothache, rheumatic arthralgia, oral administration of dried rhizome 6-9g, in form of decoction or made as pills or powders.

Due to a fact that K. galanga rhizomes are taken as an abortifacient in Papua New Guinea, while in Indonesia to stimulate menstruation and as a contraceptive. This herb should be definitely avoided by pregnant women.

KAEMPFERIA GALANGA var. VARIEGATA