Zedoary for Inflammation

Zedoary is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for inflammation. Kachur (Zedoary) is the rhizome of Curcuma zedoaria, a plant from the ginger family found throughout India particularly in warm, moist regions. The text describes it as pungent and bitter with heating potency. The rhizomes are aromatic and camphor-like in smell. It is pale yellow inside. The drug is primarily used as a digestive, anthelmintic, and expectorant. It enters formulations for cough, asthma, and intestinal worms. Externally, a paste is applied for inflammatory swellings. The rhizome somewhat resembles turmeric but is paler and has a different aroma. The text mentions it alleviates Kapha and Vata. It is also used in combinations for flatulence and colic. The fresh rhizome yields a pale yellow essential oil with camphoraceous odor. It is sometimes called 'white turmeric'. One of the names 'Karpurakachri' suggests its camphor-like properties. Dose: 1-3 grams, powder applied to p. 126 (PDF page 246).