Alpinia calcarata
Alpinia calcarrata, commonly known as the white cardamom or ginger lily, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional herbalism. Renowned for its aromatic rhizomes, it possesses potent anti-inflammatory, digestive, and antimicrobial properties. This vibrant perennial is widely utilized to support gastrointestinal health and alleviate various systemic ailments.
- Scientific name: Alpinia calcarata
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Zingiberales and the family Zingiberaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Alpinia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alpinia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Alpinia calcarrata, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Malayalam, it is called ചിറ്റരത്ത, while in Chinese, it is identified by the names 距花山薑, 距花山姜, or 云南野砂仁.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | ചിറ്റരത്ത | Wikidata |
| zh | 距花山薑 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 距花山姜 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 距花山薑 | Wikidata |
| zh | 云南野砂仁 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across the globe. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in both Bangladesh and India. Its presence extends to East Asia, where it is native to Southeast China and the island of Hainan. Additionally, the species reaches as far as the Middle Atlantic Ocean on the island of St. Helena. These varied locations demonstrate the wide ecological range inhabited by this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | St.Helena | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Alpinia calcarea, is a medicinal species characterized by its distinct morphological features. The most pharmacologically significant part of the plant is the rhizomes, which are often harvested for their potent bioactive compounds. Growing above ground, the plant features elongated leaves that emerge from the stem, with each individual leaf providing a structural component essential for the plant's photosynthetic processes.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Alpinia calcarata has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (E)-methyl cinnamate, 1,8-Cineole, alpha-terpineol, calcaratarin D, camphor.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (E)-methyl cinnamate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,8-Cineole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-terpineol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calcaratarin D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| camphor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpinen-4-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Alpinia calcarata has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Ascaris lumbricoides, adiposity, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antioxidant.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ascaris lumbricoides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| adiposity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aphrodisiac | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |