Medicinal Plants

Hedychium coronarium J.Koenig

Gandasuli

Zingiberaceae

Location in the garden Main

Summary

Gandasuli (Hedychium coronarium) is an upright herb up to 2.5 meters tall of the Zingiberaceae family, possibly native to Indonesia and also distributed from the Himalayas to the Americas and Africa. Communities in Maluku traditionally use it to treat tonsillitis and neck swelling, while its stem is processed into quality paper material and perfume. Gandasuli is also believed to help relieve headaches and irregular menstruation.

Agroecology

Grows well in moist areas, in lowlands up to elevations of 2,500 m above sea level with adequate sunlight and moderate rainfall.

Morphology

  • Root rhizome-shaped, fragrant.
  • Stem sturdy, unbranched, reddish at the base, covered by leaf blades.
  • Leaves large, lance-shaped, hairy on top.
  • Flowers compound, white and fragrant. Bracts ovate, fringed tip, cylindrical corolla tube, stigma emerges above the anther.
  • Ovary cylindrical, hairy, with a cone-shaped nectar gland.

Cultivation

Propagated using rhizome and seed.

Chemical Content

Alkaloid, flavonoid, quinone, saponin, steroid, triterpenoid, phenolic, phenol, tannin, cardiac glycoside, diterpenoid, essential oil, coronarin C.

Benefits

Treats headache, colds, tonsillitis, digestive disorders (dyspepsia), irregular menstruation, postpartum fever, rheumatism, body aches, bruised wounds (swelling), fights cancer cells, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial.

Simplisia

  • Choose fresh rhizome, 9-12 months old.
  • Clean the rhizome of attached soil and the stem. Wash thoroughly using running water then drain.
  • Slice the rhizome lengthwise thinly to a thickness of about 0.2 cm.
  • Dry using an oven at 40-50°C for 5-7 days.
  • Grind the dried material using a blender then sift.
  • Pack the simplisia in an airtight package.

Local Names

Gondosuli (Central Java), Bhalimbhing bulu (Madura), Gondasuli (Malay), Manasuli, Mandasuli, Mandasuling (Belitung), Dagasuli (Halmahera).

Traditional Recipes

The following recipes reflect traditional knowledge passed down through generations, not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Traditional recipe Menstruation promoter from Gandasuli

1. Menstruation promoter

  • Prepare 10 g fresh gandasuli flowers, wash thoroughly.
  • Boil with 1 glass of water for 15 minutes on low heat, strain the concoction once cool.
  • Drink the strained liquid all at once.

Reference Sources

  1. Chimnoi N, Pisutjaroenpong S, Ngiwsara L, Dechtrirut D, Chokchaichamnankit D, Khunnawutmanotham N, Mahidol C, Techasakul S. 2008. Labdane diterpenes from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium. Natural Product Research 22(14): 1249-1256.
  2. Joy B, Rajan A, Abraham E. 2007. Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of essential oil from Hedychium Coronarium. Phytother. Res. 21:439–443
  3. Prosea. 2016. Hedychium coronarium. https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Hedychium coronarium (PROSEA) 08-05-2020
  4. Raya A, Jenaa S, Dasha B, Kara B, Halderb T, Chatterjeeb T, Ghoshb B, Pandac PC, Nayaka S, Mahapatra N. 2018. Chemical diversity, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from Indian populations of Hedychium coronarium Koen. Industrial Crops & Products 112: 353–362.
  5. Shrotriya S, Ali MS, Saha A, Bachar SC, Islam S. 2007. Anti inflammatory and analgesic effects of Hedychium coronarium Koen. Pak. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(1): 42-47.
  6. Singh KL, Singh LR, Devi PG, Devi NR, Singh LS, Bag GC. 2013. Comparative study of phytochemical constituents and total phenolic content in the extracts of three different species of genus Hedychium. Int. J. Pharm. Tech. Res. 5(2): 601-606.
  7. Suhardiman A, Juanda D, Alanti MD. 2018. Uji antibakteri rimpang Gandasuli (Hedychium coronarium) terhadap bakteri Staphylococcus aureus dan Escherichia coli dengan perbandingan metode ekstraksi. Journal of Pharmacopolium 1(2): 62-68
  8. Suhardiman A, Roni A, Febrianty AED. 2019. Isolasi senyawa aktif antioksidan rimpang gandasuli (Hedychium coronarium). Journal of Pharmacopolium 1(3): 114-121.
  9. Suhardiman A. 2018. Aktivitas antioksidan daun dan rimpang tanaman gandasuli (Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig) dengan metode peredaman DPPH. Jurnal Farmasi Galenika 5(1): 15-21.
  10. Matsuda H, Morikawa T, Sakamoto Y, Toguchida I, Yoshikawa M. 2002. Labdane-type diterpenes with inhibitory effects on increase in vascular permeability and nitric oxide production from Hedychium coronarium. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 10:2527–2534.
  11. Hariana HA. 2013. Tumbuhan obat dan khasiatnya. Penebar Swadaya. Jakarta 116
  12. Hidayat Syamsul, N Rodame. 2015. Kitab tumbuhan obat: Peluruh haid. penebar swadaya group