Aromatic Ginger (Sand Ginger / Chandramulika)

Kaempferia galanga

ଗନ୍ଧଶୁଣ୍ଠୀ (Gandhasunthi)चंद्रमूला (Chandramula)Chandramulika

Family: Zingiberaceae
Origin: Tropical Southeast Asia
Plant Type: Herb
Habitat: Both

About the Plant

Stemless perennial aromatic herb; circular prostrate sub-orbicular leaves lying flat on ground, and fugitive white blossoms with deep-violet bipartite lip.

Traditional Uses

Headache, dental neuralgia, indigestion, and cold-induced abdominal pain

Parts Used

Aromatic rhizomes

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa: Tikta, Katu
Guna: Laghu, Teekshna
Virya: Ushna
Vipaka: Katu

Health Benefits

Relieves cold-induced stomach aches, treats toothache, and clears bronchial congestion

Precautions

Safe culinary rhizome; large doses may cause stomach irritation in ulcers

Interesting Facts

Widely used in Balinese, Thai, and Ayurvedic cooking; leaves lie flat against the soil surface

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