Medicinal Plants

Kaempferia elegans Wall.

Kencur Bunga Ungu

Zingiberaceae

Location in the garden Main
Photo 1 of medicinal plant Kaempferia elegans (Kencur Bunga Ungu) Photo 2 of medicinal plant Kaempferia elegans (Kencur Bunga Ungu) Photo 3 of medicinal plant Kaempferia elegans (Kencur Bunga Ungu)

Summary

Kaempferia elegans or purple-flowered kencur is native to Sichuan, China, through to Indochina and Kalimantan. Its pretty purple flowers with silver-speckled leaf patterns make this plant a popular choice for ornamental ground cover, while its oil is used in the perfume, soap, and cream industries. Traditionally, purple-flowered kencur is also used to stimulate new cell growth and address wounds and throat infections.

Agroecology

Grows well in partially to fully shaded environments, in various types of moist, well-drained soil.

Morphology

  • Roots fibrous.
  • Stem succulent, containing a lot of water.
  • Leaves broadly elliptic shaped, up to 25 cm in size, with an irregular pattern of dark green and silver along the veins, parallel-veined, short petiole, margin entire.
  • Flowers small, about 2 cm, located on the stem in the leaf axils (flos axilaris), light purple with 4 petals.

Cultivation

Propagated with rhizomes and division of offshoots within the clump.

Chemical Content

Information not known. Further research is needed.

Benefits

Stimulates new cell growth, treats wounds, and addresses throat infections. Has carminative, diuretic, expectorant, and pectoral properties.

Local Names

Kencur hutan, Bintik perak.

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 Wound from Kencur Bunga Ungu

1. Wound

  • Take an adequate amount of purple-flowered kencur rhizome and wash until clean.
  • Grind until it becomes a paste.
  • Apply to the wound.

Reference Sources

  1. Royal Botanic Gardens. Plants Of the World Online: Kaempferia elegans Wall.. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60468958-2#synonyms. 14-08-2022.
  2. Flora Fauna Web. 2021. Kaempferia elegans 'Shazam'. https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/1/2163. 14-08-2022.
  3. Eko. M. 2021. Planter and Forester: Kaempferia elegans, Family Zingiberaceae yang berdaun Indah. https://www.planterandforester.com/2021/09/kaempferia-elegans-family-zingiberaceae.html?m=1. 14-08-2022.
  4. Garden plant. 2022. Peacock Ginger Benefits. https://gardenplants.comparespecies.com/en/peacock-ginger-benefits/model-1949-7. 14-08-2022.