Red ginger-lily
StarHedychium coccineum
Synonyms: Hedychium roscoei, Hedychium coccineum var. carneum, Hedychium coccineum var. squarrosum, Hedychium coccineum var. longifolium, Hedychium angustifolium, Gandasulium angustifolium, Hedychium aurantiacum, Hedychium longifolium, Hedychium squarrosum, Hedychium coccineum var. roscoei, Gandasulium coccineum, Hedychium coccineum var. angustifolium, Hedychium carneum
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
In Himalayan and Sino-Himalayan folk medicine the aromatic rhizome of Hedychium coccineum is used to treat inflammation-related swelling, bronchial asthma, bruises, jaundice and headaches (Yang et al., 2024). The rhizome essential oil, dominated by oxygenated terpenoids, has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in both in-vitro and in-vivo models, providing pharmacological support for these traditional uses (Yang et al., 2024).
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Botanical Description
Hedychium coccineum, the scarlet or red ginger-lily, is a robust rhizomatous perennial herb of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae), native to the Himalaya and adjacent regions of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, southwestern China and northern Southeast Asia, where it grows on moist, shaded forest slopes and along streams. Erect, leafy, cane-like pseudostems arise from a thick, aromatic, branching underground rhizome and can reach one to two metres tall. The leaves are large, lance-shaped, two-ranked and smooth, with a prominent midrib and a sheathing base. The showy inflorescence is a dense terminal spike of fragrant flowers ranging from orange-red to scarlet (occasionally paler), each with a slender floral tube, narrow segments and a conspicuous protruding stamen, giving an airy, butterfly-like appearance. The fruit is a three-valved capsule that opens to reveal seeds enveloped in a bright red aril. The rhizome is camphoraceous and rich in essential oils.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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