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ກະຊາຍຂາວ / Fingerroot Ginger

Use
Food
Income
Medicine
Ornamental
Scientific Name / Family
Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf. / Zingiberaceae
Synonyms
Boesenbergia cochinchinensis (Gagnep.) Loes.
Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr.
Curcuma rotunda L.
Gastrochilus panduratus (Roxb.) Ridl.
Gastrochilus rotundus (L.) Alston
Kaempferia cochinchinensis Gagnep.
Kaempferia ovata Roscoe
Kaempferia pandurata Roxb.
Other Names
Eng: Chinese keys, Fingerroot, Lesser galangal or Chinese ginger
Chinese: 凹唇姜 [ao chun jiang]
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Botanical Description

Boesenbergia rotunda is a Herb with a short stem that is replaced by pseudostems, formed by leaf sheaths growing up to 50 cm tall. There are 3–4 leaves which are 7–11  cm in width and 25–50  m in length, which are not divided, oval or elongate shape. The surface of rhizomes is light brown and yellow inside, ovoid‑globose, and strongly aromatic. Its rhizomes look‑like fingers which growing from a central part.

Description of Use
  • Food: The rhizomes of B. rotunda have been used as spices, flavoring agents, dyes and as traditional medicine. 
  • Medicine: The uses or phytochemical properties of B. rotunda from several literature reviews are anti‑allergic, antibacterial, anti‑Helicobacter pylori, anti‑leptospiral, anticancer, anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant, antiulcer, and anti‑dengue viral, and anti‑herpes viral activities and wound healing. It also uses to treatment hepatic disease. Moreover, it can act as larvicidal and pupicidal activities.
  • Income: Nowadays they are sold in many local markets.
  • Ornamental: Popularly planted as an ornamental plant in front of the house.
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