The plant is a native of the Himalayas and the rhizome is known in
Hindoostan as kafur-kachri or kapur-kachri and is kept dried in slices which
are ½ to 3/8 inch in diameter and from ¼ to 3/8 inch in thickness.
Description of Hedychium oil:
It is an annual herb with horizontal root-stock and tubesous root fibres,
leaves are 30 cms or at times more than that in length. Flowers ascending
and densed and of yellow in color. Inflorescene is spiked. Capsule is
globose. The rhizomes are aromatic with bitter camphorous taste.
Appearance: Liquid
Aroma : : Aromatic with a fragrant, somewhat pungent smell
Color : Light yellow color
Chemical constituents: Hedychium oil has various chemical
compounds that include ethyl ester of p-methoxy cinnamic acid,
sesquiterpenes and methyl paracumarine acetate. It also contains sitosterol
and its glycoside.
Extraction: It is extracted by the steam distillation of
berries.
Aromatherapy uses:
Some of the properties include bactericide, fungicide, stomachic, tonic and
expectorant. It is also used as febrifuge, excitant and anti-rheumatic in
the Ayurvedic system. It has been prescribed and used in treatment of
headache, lancinating pain, contusion, inflammatory and intense pain due to
rheumatism etc. It is used in nausea, liver disorder, bronchial asthma,
halitosis and vomiting. Also useful in diminished appetite, hiccups, local
inflammation etc
Cosmetics and Toiletries:
It has been described as useful specially as an antiasthmatic agent. It
counteracts bad mouth taste and smell.
Due to its woody,spicy & peculiar odour like roots, it is used in
perfume formulations. It is used in hair oil especially to prevent baldness
and hairfall and makes them more manageable. It is reported for its
anti-microbial properties and used traditionally as one of the ingredient in
herbal vanising creams to protect the skin from sun's UV rays.
An essential oil obtained from the flowers is valued in high grade
perfumes. An essential oil obtained from the flowers is valued in high grade
perfume.The root contains 1.7% essential oil, which is used medicinally.
Young buds and flowers are eaten or used as a flavouring. The root is
cooked and is also a famine food.
Industrial applications:
Hedychium is used in many industrial processes like natural fertilisers,
pesticides, building materials etc.
Compost : Plants used for activating compost heaps,
providing biomass for composting, using as instant compost etc.
Green manure: Fast-growing plants that can be used to
increase the fertility of the soil
Liquid feed: Plants that can be used to make a liquid
fertilizer.
Potash :
Used for making glass, soap and as a fertilizer.
Fungicide : Arrests the growth of, or kills, fungi.
Herbicide : Plants or plant extracts that can inhibit the
growth of other plants.
Insecticide : Kills insects.
Parasiticide : Kills external body parasites such as hair
lice..
Insulation : Providing insulation against extremes of
temperature, sound or electricity.
Pipes : For carrying water etc.
Pitch : Used for waterproofing, in paints etc.
Plaster : Used for covering walls.
Roofing : Used to give a waterproof roof to buildings. See
also Thatching.
Thatching : Used for making thatched roofs.
