An herb entry from the Ancient Herbs and Modern Herbs book by James K. Sayre, Copyright, 2001. All rights reserved.

Zedoary - Curcuma zedoaria (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) - family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger Family).

This is a rhizome-based perennial herb. It has large elliptic-shaped dark green leaves, bracts of red or green and produces small flowers of pink and yellow. The aromatic yellow root or rhizome is an ancient spice in India. Under the name shoti, the starchy rhizome is also used in India as a food thickener. Traditional Asian folk use of the dried root as remedy for indigestion. Approved by the German Commission E as a remedy for a poor appetite. Its aromatic root yields an essential oil. The root is one of the ingredients in Swedish Bitters. It is quite similar in its medicinal properties to its close relative, Turmeric, Curcuma longa. Native to southern Asia. Cultivated in southern Asia.

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Web page last updated on 26 May 2003.