Description:
Zedoary (also known as curcuma zedoaria, white turmeric, kentjur, E Zhu, 蓬莪术) is a perennial herb and member of the genus Curcuma, family Zingiberaceae. The plant is native to India and Indonesia but now naturalized in other places around the world. The dried rhizomes of zedoary is used in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) to treat inflammation and relieve pain.
Odour & Nature:
Bitter, pungent, warm-natured, non-toxic,
Channels:
Zedoary rhizome functions by influencing the liver and spleen.
Health Benefits of Zedoary Rhizome & Formulas:
Reducing Swelling And Pain
Powdered zedoary rhizome (cooked with vinegar) and fucklandia rhizome is taken with vinegar soup to relieve abdominal pain (belly or stomach pain).
Powdered zedoary rhizome and dried purified resin of Toxicodendron vernicifluum is taken with wine to help relieve backache in women.
Powdered zedoary rhizome is taken with warm wine to treat subcutaneous emphysema in infants and children (gas or air is in the layer under the skin with pain).
Zedoary rhizome and scirpus yagara rhizome are powdered for oral taking to treat blisters raised by a burn or scald.
Relieving Dyspnea
A decoction of zedoary rhizome and wine is taken to relieve dyspnea.
Powdered zedoary rhizome, chinaberry fruit and borax is taken with warm wine to treat chronic dyspnea accompanied with lingering diarrhea.
Infants
A decoction of zedoary rhizome, salt and human milk is used in treating baby spit up and vomit.
Cholera
A decoction of zedoary rhizome, agastache rugosus, soapstone, betel nut, Mangnolia officinalis and onion is taken orally to treat severe cholera.
Contraindication & Cautions:
Administration with caution for pregnant women.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.