Kaempferia parviflora
Kaempferia parviflora, commonly known as Black Ginger, is a potent medicinal herb native to Thailand. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, particularly polymethoxyflavones, it is traditionally used to boost energy, enhance libido, and improve metabolic health. This versatile plant offers significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits for modern wellness.
- Scientific name: Kaempferia parviflora
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Zingiberales, it is classified under the family Zingiberaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Kaempferia, specifically the species parviflora.
| 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 is native to several distinct regions across Southern and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence has been documented in Bangladesh. Moving into the Indo-China region, it can be found growing in Cambodia. Its distribution also extends to the country of Myanmar. Finally, this medicinal species is commonly located throughout Thailand.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
Chemicals
Kaempferia parviflora has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 46 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,7-dimethoxyflavone, 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, flavonoids, 3,7-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyflavone.
- Total chemicals
- 31
- Scientific sources
- 46
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5,7-dimethoxyflavone | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| 3,5,7-trimethoxyflavone | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 3,7-dimethoxy-5-hydroxyflavone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| camphene | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linalool | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,4',5,7-tetramethoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,5,7,3',4'-pentamethoxyflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Kaempferia parviflora has 4 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antimalarial.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Kaempferia parviflora has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, Alzheimer disease, H5N1 virus, abscesses, acne.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| H5N1 virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abscesses | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acne | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| brain injury | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |