Perennial herb with large, tapering, elliptical leaves, pink or yellow flowers and an aromatic, pale yellow root.
Habitat & Cultivation
Zedoary is a common Indian and East Asian plant. It is cultivated in India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China and Madagascar.
Constituents
Zedoary contains a volatile oil, sesquiterpenes, curcumemone, curcumol and curdione. Curcumol and curdione have anti-cancer properties.
History & Folklore
In India, the rhizome is used commmonly in perfumery and as a condiment.
Medicinal Actions & Uses
An aromatic, bitter digestive stimulant, zedoary is used in much the same way as ginger - to relieve indigestion, nausea, flatulence and bloating, and generally to improve the digestion. The rhizome is used in China to treat certain types of tumours.
Research
In trials carried out in China, zedoary has reduced cervical cancer and increased the cancer-killing effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
