kencur
Kaempferia galanga · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Moderate (132 studies) · ★★★☆☆
Kencur, scientifically known as Kaempferia galanga, is a versatile medicinal plant belonging to the ginger family. Native to Southeast Asia, this aromatic herb is prized for its therapeutic properties. It is widely utilized in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments, offering significant bioactive benefits.
Names
Common Names
- Aromatic Ginger
- Resurrection Lily
- Sand Ginger
- galanga
- Cutcherry
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Gewürzlilie
- indische Gewürzlilie
French:
- galanga camphré
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Kaempferia galangaSynonyms
- Kaempferia latifolia
- Kaempferia marginata
- Kaempferia plantaginifolia
- Alpinia sessilis
- Kaempferia wanhom
- Kaempferia soncorus
- Kaempferia galanga var. latifolia
- Kaempferia kelenga
- Kaempferia humilis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zingiberales, specifically being a member of the family Zingiberaceae. Within this botanical hierarchy, it is categorized under the genus Kaempferia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Kaempferia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several prominent regions in Asia. In China, it is notably distributed throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. Its presence extends into Eastern Asia, where it can be found growing in Taiwan. The species is also well-established within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the state of Assam. Finally, its distribution includes the neighboring country of Bangladesh, completing its regional spread.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as fingerroot, is a medicinal herb characterized by its distinct botanical structures. The most therapeutically significant parts are the aromatic rhizoemes, which are often harvested for their intense flavor and healing properties. While the rhizome is the primary source of essential oils, the plant also develops smaller roots that extend into the soil to provide stability and nutrient absorption. Additionally, the large, green leaf serves as a vital component for photosynthesis, supporting the growth of the underground structures used in traditional medicine.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| rhizome | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 8 sources) | ★★★★☆ |
| leaf | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Ancient science of life (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Kaempferia galanga has 27 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, ETHYL CINNAMATE, (-)-sandaracopimaradiene, Borneol, CAMPHENE.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ETHYL CINNAMATE | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| (-)-sandaracopimaradiene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Borneol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CAMPHENE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COBALT | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Carene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Caryophyllene | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coumarins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Ethyl p-methoxycinnamate
- Dr. Duke
- African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
- Fitoterapia
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
ETHYL CINNAMATE
- Dr. Duke
- Fitoterapia
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
(-)-sandaracopimaradiene
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Borneol
- Dr. Duke
CAMPHENE
- Dr. Duke
COBALT
- Toxicology reports
Carene
- Dr. Duke
Caryophyllene
- Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
Coumarins
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Flavonoids
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Activities
Kaempferia galanga has 43 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, Allelochemic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Chronotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Inotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelochemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelopathic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic? | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiacetylcholine | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibronchitic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Kaempferia galanga has 31 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, rheumatic diseases, Ascaris lumbricoides, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, allergy.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatic diseases | Plant diversity (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ascaris lumbricoides | Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergy | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Toxicology reports (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| contusions | Plant diversity (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ethanol extract | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | Bioorganic chemistry (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| "Gandha Thailam" | Plant diversity (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| "Rasnairandadi Kashayam" | Plant diversity (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Crude methanol extracts of the rhizomes | Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ethanolic and water extracts | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetone extract of leaf | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetone extract of rhizome | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetonic leaf extract | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extract | Ancient science of life (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |