Kapoor Kachari is a rhizomatous, fragrant
leafy herb with robust stem, and is up to 1.5 m tall. Ginger Lily (Rhizomes)
have strong aromatic odor and bitter camphoraceous taste. Leaves are up to 30
cm long, lanceolate, with green, obtuse bracts and leaf sheath clasping the
stem.
The Indian medicinal system (Ayurveda)
described the species is useful in the treatment of swelling, asthma, fever,
and pain. It has pungent, light, bitter, strong, heating properties and used in
grime of mouth, swelling, cough, asthma, pain and hiccough. H spicatum is being
used in different parts of the Indian subcontinent since ancient time and
having different names in different parts of world. The Kapoor Kachari
(rhizomes) powder is used as an antimicrobial agent and as a poultice for
various acnes and pains.
The species is also an ingredient of some
traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Tibetan medicine and Unani medicinal
system. The Kapoor Kachari powder as well as decoction of the rhizome is
carminative, digestive and emmenagogue. A small cup of the rhizome decoction
twice in a day is considered expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, tonic and
vasodilator.
One spoonful powder of rhizomes thrice a day
is useful in the treatment of liver complaints and treating fever, vomiting,
diarrhea, inflammation, pain and snake bite. The Kapoor Kachari (rhizome)
powder 3–4 g two times in a day is used in asthma, foul breath, bronchitis,
hiccough, vomiting, tridosha and blood diseases. Ginger Lily (Rhizome) powder
is laxative to the bowel, and the rhizome decoction is tonic to the brain.
Kapoor Kachari Benefits
Also, the fruit of this species may be cooked
and eaten with lentils in savory Crushed dried rhizomes, both the bruised and
the dried, are very aromatic with a fragrant, somewhat pungent smell similar to
orris root but more powerful. The essential oil has a scent somewhat like
hyacinths and highly perfumed for a considerable period. In Tibetan medicine,
the Kapoor Kachari (rhizome) which has an acrid taste is given as two spoonful
powder twice a day for heating potency. ‘Abir’, a fragrant colored
powder marketed for religious ceremonies, is prepared from its dried rhizomes.
Powder of the species is used orally for body
pain and inflammation; however, small pieces of fresh roots cooked in burning
flame and chewed with one glass of hot milk for the treatment of asthma and
internal injury. The rhizome is also chewed by the local inhabitants of
Uttarakhand to remove the bad smell from their teeth or mouth. The paste of
fresh rhizome is given orally with hot water to the cattle and other domestic
animals in case of stomach disorder.
