Costus spicatus (Jacq.) Sw.

Pacing pentul (Costus spicatus) is an erect herb up to 2.5 meters tall of the Costaceae family, native to tropical America, from northern South America to Mexico. Besides being popular as an ornamental in tropical regions, in the Dominican Republic its leaves are brewed as herbal tea to help diabetics. This plant is also believed to act as a diuretic and traditional snake venom antidote.

Grows well in warm regions up to an elevation of 1,000 m above sea level. Favors moist and shaded locations. This plant is commonly found in rainforests and lowland secondary forests. 

• Roots fibrous, white or dirty yellow.
• Stem contains a lot of water, easily broken, rough outside and glossy smooth inside. Stem is yellowish-brown, covered by leaf sheaths.
• Leaves simple, green, narrow elliptical, spirally arranged around the stem. Underside finely hairy, upper surface grooved.
• Flowers red, corolla yellow-pink. Tube-shaped petals. Inflorescence a large spike, at the stem tip. 
• Fruit an elliptical capsule, 10-12 mm long.
• Seeds hard, small, about 2 mm in diameter, black.

• Propagated using seed, cuttings, offshoot separation, and bulbils.
• Sow seeds in a location with direct sunlight. Seeds sprout within 5-19 days, first harvest starts 35 days-1 year after planting, depending on the plant part. 

Saponins, tannins, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, amino acids, glycosides, and steroids. 

Treats diabetes, hypertension, cancer, fever; diuretic, antiseptic, anthelmintic activity; snake venom antidote; acts as a laxative.

Information not yet available.

Jahe berduri, Jahe kepala india.