DIGITAL GARDEN

Kaempferia galanga L.

Common name: Aromatic ginger

Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Kaempferia
Species: galanga
Malayalam Name: Kacholam
Tamil Name: Pulankilanku, Kacholam
Synonyms
Other names: Kacholam, Pulankilanku
Description: It is a small, low-growing rhizomatous herb The plant typically consists of 2-3 (occasionally up to 5) broadly elliptical to suborbicular leaves which occur in a rosette. The leaves are held horizontally, close to the ground and are hairless on top, but hairy below. The rhizome is fleshy, tuberous, and has a horizontal underground stem. It is white or yellowish and smells like camphor.
USES:
The rhizome of the plant has many uses
Cough and asthma: Chewing the rhizome with betel leaf can help with coughs and other breathing problems. Mixing the rhizome powder with honey and taking it internally can also help.
The powdered tuber can be used as a hair wash. The leaf juice can be used for Sore eyes, sore throat, swellings, rheumatism, and fevers. The rhizome juice can be used to treat toothache: .
The rhizome paste can be applied on the forehead headache.