Botanical name : Zingiber zerumbet Rosc. (Z. cassumunar Roxb.)
Family : Zingiberaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Vanardraka, Stulagrandhi
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa    : Katu, Tikta
Guna   : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya   : Ushna
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English  : Jungle ginger
Hindi  : Banada, Narkachur
Malayalam : Malainchi
Distribution – Throughout India growing wild in some parts of Western Ghats.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A tall, slender, perennial aromatic rhizomatous herb grows up to 1.5 meters in height. Leaves linear, long, flowers whitish in long spikes, fruits oblong capsules. The rhizomes are yellowish white in color, with peculiar odor. Growing tips are covered with scales. Roots arise from the underground rhizomes.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, fungal skin diseases, colic, indigestion, flatulence, dyspepsia, and inflammations.
Useful part : Rhizomes.