Etlingera elatior
Etlingera elatior, commonly known as the Torch Ginger, is a striking tropical perennial valued for both its ornamental beauty and medicinal properties. Widely used in Southeast Asian traditional medicine, its fragrant blooms and rhizomes possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial qualities, offering diverse therapeutic benefits for holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Etlingera elatior
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zingiberales, falling into the family Zingiberaceae. Specifically, it is a member of the genus Etlingera.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Etlingera | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Etlingera elatior, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In French, it is referred to as Rose de porcelaine, while in Acehnese, it is called Kala. Its Portuguese name is Rosa-de-porcelana, and in Javanese, it is known as Kecombrang. Additionally, in Sundanese, the plant is commonly called Honjé.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Rose de porcelaine | Wikidata |
| ace | Kala | Wikidata |
| pt | Rosa-de-porcelana | Wikidata |
| jv | Kecombrang | Wikidata |
| su | Honjé | Wikidata |
| ja | トーチジンジャー | Wikidata |
| ms | Bunga kantan | Wikidata |
| pl | Etlingera wyniosła | Wikidata |
| th | ดาหลา | Wikidata |
| map-bms | Kecombrang | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple tropical regions across the globe. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically around the Gulf of Guinea islands. Its presence extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it inhabits both Comoros and Mauritius. Within the Asian continent, the species is located in South-Central China. Finally, its range reaches into Indo-China, particularly within the borders of Thailand.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Lesser Sunda Is. | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Maluku | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the cardamom इला (Etlingera elatior), is a versatile medicinal herb where various components offer therapeutic value. The large, lanceolate leaves are often utilized for their aromatic properties and essential oils. The most striking feature is the large, showy inflorescence, which is characterized by its vibrant, waxy petals that attract pollinators. Beneath the soil, the plant develops thick, fleshy rhizomes, which are the primary parts harvested for medicinal use, often being processed alongside or referred to in conjunction with the roots for their potent bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 13
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflorescence petals | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflorescence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Inflorescence | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Etlingera elatior has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one, 1-dodecanol, 16-hydroxylabda-8(17),11,13-trien-15,16-olide, 5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol, chlorogenic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,4,6-heptatrien-3-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-dodecanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 16-hydroxylabda-8(17),11,13-trien-15,16-olide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5alpha,8alpha-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3beta-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| demethoxycurcumin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dodecanal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| n-hexadecanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmast-4-en-3-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stigmast-4-en-6beta-ol-3-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Etlingera elatior has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Etlingera elatior has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Type 2 Diabetes, anthelmintic, anti-allergic, antidiabetic, antioxidant.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Type 2 Diabetes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-allergic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |