Common Name:

General Information

Alpinia malaccensis is a robust herb that is strongly aromatic when bruised. It produces leafy stems 2 - 4 metres tall from a creeping rhizome[].
The plant is used medicinally, as a food and also supplies an essential oil. It is cultivated in north-eastern India, Java and southern China[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - mountainous regions of India, through Malaysia to Indonesia and the Philippines.

Habitat

Primary forest and shaded rocky outcrops at low and medium altitudes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants in this genus generally grow best in a sunny or partially sunny position in a moist, fertile soil[].

Edible Uses

The rhizome is occasionally used as a spice[].

The rhizome is eaten as a vegetable in India[].

Medicinal

The pounded rhizome is used to cure wounds and sores[]. The rhizomes were chewed in the Moluccas, together with betel nut (Areca catechu) to make the voice strong and clear[].

An infusion of the ripe and unripe fruits, with a little salt, is taken as an emetic[]. A decoction of the fruit or the crushed seed is applied for gastralgia with tympanites[]. A decoction is used for bathing feverish people[].

Other Uses

All plant parts are fragrant, and contain essential oils[, ].

Propagation

Seed -
Division of the rhizome[].

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