Mala Inji (Zingiber zerumbet)

Common name: 

English:

Shampoo Ginger

Pinecone Ginger

Malayalam:

Kattu inji koova

Sanskrit:

Ahava,

Avanti,

Karpuraharidra

Botanical name: 

Zingiber zerumbet 

Family:

Zingiberaceae

This perennial wild ginger grows in moist places in the forests of Asian continent. The Rhizome is yellow inside, edible, and tuberous. The pseudo stems are 1m tall.

Leaves:

Leaves are arranged oppositely along the stem, the blade is oblong or elliptical, 15cm- 3cm to 40cm-10cm, narrowed at the base, and acuminate or acute at the apex.

Flowers:

Separate stalks grow out of the ground with green cone-shaped bracts that resemble pinecones these bracts are about 6cmX3.5 cm to 15 cm X 5cm in seize. The green cone turns red/ yellow over a couple of weeks and then small creamy yellow flowers appear on the cone.

Medicinal properties:

This plant is used to treat indigestion, cure fatigue, to treat convulsion and constipation and to break fever.

It is reported that, the rhizome is having anti-inflammatory properties, suppresses free radical generation.

 It is also reported that it is effective in the treatment of leukemia and tumours.