If you would like to support this site, please consider Donating.
Useful Tropical Plants

Curcuma comosa

Roxb.

Zingiberaceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Curcuma comosa is a herbaceous perennial plant growing from a large, tuberous rootstock with sessile tubers; it produces a clump of unbranched, leafy pseudo-stems around 150 - 180cm tall.
The plant is commonly used in southeast Asia as a medicinal plant, especially in the treatment of problems related to the menstrual cycle. It is often cultivated for medicinal purposes in southeast Asia.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

E. Asia - northeastern India, Myanmar, Thailand

Habitat

Deciduous and bamboo forests.

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *  *
HabitPerennial
Height1.50 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details


Plants in this genus generaly prefer a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade[
974
Title
Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
Publication
 
Author
Ahmed Fayaz
Publisher
Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
Year
2011
ISBN
978-1-55407-489
Description
A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The rhizome has proven oestrogenic activity. It is used to treat post-partum uterine swelling, as a general tonic after childbirth, to alleviate menstrual symptoms and treat post-menopausal symptoms[
1574
Title
Estrogen-like activities and cytotoxicity effects of Thai herbal medicines as natural ingredients in anti-ageing
Publication
J. Med. Plants Res., Vol. 5(31), pp. 6832-6838, 2011
Author
Bancha Yingngam, Nuttapun Supaka & Wandee Rungseevijitprapa
Website
http://10.5897/JMPR11.1223
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
1996-0875
Description
 
]. It is also used as an aromatic stomachic and choleretic, and has been shown to have antiinflammatory, antioxidative and cholesterol-lowering activities[
1575
Title
Effects of Curcurma comosa Roxb. on Platelet Aggregation and Atherosclerotic Plaque Development in Hypercholesterole
Publication
Int. J. Pharmacol., 8 (4): 234-242, 2012
Author
Ratanachamnong P. et al
Website
http://10.3923/ijp.2012.234.242
Publisher
 
Year
2012
ISBN
1811-7775
Description
 
].

An ethyl alcohol extract of the rhizome has shown interesting oestrogenic properties. In addition, it has shown a growth-promoting effect on skin cells and also reduces cell death from oxidation. The plant has potential as an active ingredient in preparations for the treatment of skin-ageing in post-menopausal women[
1574
Title
Estrogen-like activities and cytotoxicity effects of Thai herbal medicines as natural ingredients in anti-ageing
Publication
J. Med. Plants Res., Vol. 5(31), pp. 6832-6838, 2011
Author
Bancha Yingngam, Nuttapun Supaka & Wandee Rungseevijitprapa
Website
http://10.5897/JMPR11.1223
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
1996-0875
Description
 
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Germinates best at temperatures around 20°c[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Cuttings of the rhizomes[
429
Title
Root Crops
Publication
 
Author
Kay. D.E. Revised by Gooding. E.G.B.
Publisher
Tropical Development and Crop Research: London.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
Detailed information on about 40 species of tropical root crops.
]. Traditionally, these are planted in raked soil at the beginning of the monsoon, frequently in arecanut plantations and on the banks of rivers and irrigation channels[
429
Title
Root Crops
Publication
 
Author
Kay. D.E. Revised by Gooding. E.G.B.
Publisher
Tropical Development and Crop Research: London.
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
Detailed information on about 40 species of tropical root crops.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Curcuma+comosa>

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.