Zedoary

Forty species of perennials belongs to this genus, found in seasonally dry tropical forests of Asia and Australia. Most have aromatic rhizomes or tubers that yield spices, starch, and dyes, and core-shaped inflorescences with often colorful bracts. Curcuma longa (turmeric) is a source of orange and yellow dyes for silk, cotton, and wool, and is a traditional coloring for the robes of Buddhist monks. The name comes from kurkum, the Arabic name for these plants. It is also one of the most common food flavorings and colorings in Asian cuisine. Many medicinal uses are recorded, especially in China, India, and Indonesia. Research has shown significant anti-inflammatory and liver- protective effects. Both C. longa and C. aromatica (wild turmeric) were described in Chinese medicine in the 7th century. The term yu jin is applied to C. aromatica on its own and to a mixture of C. aromatica, C. longa, and C. zedoaria (zedoary). Several other species are used for food and flavoring, including C. amada (mango ginger), which has edible young shoots and mango-scented rhizomes used in cooking, and candied or pickled in India.

Perennial with a thick, pale-fleshed, camphor-scented rhizome and oblong-lanceolate, pointed leaves, to 60cm (2ft) long, which have an irregular maroon band down either side of the midrib. Yellow to white, pink-flushed flowers emerge from an inflorescence to 10cm (4in) long in summer, composed of greenish lower bracts and deep pink to purple upper bracts.

Common Name:	Zedoary
Botanical Name:	Curcuma zedoary
Genus:	Curcuma
Family:	Zingiberaceae
Native Location:	India
Cultivation:	Well-drained soil in sun or light shade, with high humidity.
Propagation:	By seed sown wehn ripe at 20°C (68°F), by division in early spring.
Harvest:	Leaves are cut as required and used fresh. Rhizomes are lifted during the dormant period and steamed or boiled before drying and grinding for use in decoctions, tinctures, pills, poultices, and powders.
Height:	1m (3ft)
:Width	Indefinite
Hardiness:	Min. 13°C (55°F)
Parts Used:	Leaves, Rhizomes
Properties:	A bitter aromatic herb that improves digestion and has anti-cancer effects.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally as a digestive tonic, and to relieve indigestion, nausea, gas, and bloating. Similar in effects to C. longa and Zingiber officinale (See, ginger). Used successfully in China to treat cervical cancer and improve the effectiveness of radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Culinary Uses:	Leaves, used in cooking fish, resemble lemongrass in flavor. Rhizomes yield starch similar to arrowroot. Young rhizomes are added to salads.
Economic Uses:	Dried rhizomes are used to flavor liqueurs and bitters.
Bibliography:	Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pp 186-187