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Luya
Common names: Luy-a (General); baseng (Ilokano);
laya (Bikol); ginger, ginger root.
Indications and preparations: Rhizome decoction,
lozenges, tea for colds, cough,
sorethroat, and as carminative, and to relieve motion sickness; tincture, liniment for
rheumatic complaints.
Family: Zingiberaceae |
click here for enlarged picture |
| Description: |
Erect, slender, perennial herb with a thickened, fleshy
subterranean rhizome and with one or more aerial leafy stems up to 1.25 m tall. Rhizome
fleshy, robust, up to 2 cm thick, growing horizontally underground but at shallow depth.
Leaves regularly arranged in two opposite rows, sheath prominently veined. Flowers
fragile, short lived, arises direct from rhizome. Fruit a thin-walled capsule, 3 valved,
red. Seed small, black and with pulpy cover. |
| Ecological distribution: |
Prefers warm, sunny conditions. Grown in tropical Asia,
brought to Europe and East Africa by Arab traders from India, introduced to Jamaica. |
| Parts used: |
Rhizome. |
| Traditional uses: |
Rhizome juice – used against migraine, inflammation of
the lining tissue of the nose, throat, and air passages, against spasmodic pain in the
bowels and relieve menstrual cramps. |
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Crushed rhizomes – applied externally against headache,
toothache, rheumatism, intestinal problems, itch, boils, swellings and applied as an
antidote against snake poison. |
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Decoctions or poultices – rubbed on the body after
childbirth, against swelling and bruises, rheumatism and baths against fever. |
|
Leaves – externally for poulticing to treat headache. |
|
Ginger tea – to prevent hoarseness. |
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Culinary purposes: as spice and food flavoring. |
| Indications: |
For cough, colds; as carminative, for rheumatic complaints. |
| Special precautions:. |
Some people may be allergic to ginger oil. Dosage of ginger
should not exceed the amounts used in food especially for pregnant and nursing women |
| Product available: |
Ginger powder, tea, oil. |
| Further information in: |
de Padua,L.S., N. Bunyapraphatsara, R.H.M.J. Lemmens
(Editors). 1999. Plant Resources of South East Asia 12(1) Medicinal and Poisonous Plants.
Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.771 pp. |
| Or contact: |
RED Foundation Inc., Los Baņos, Laguna 4031 Philippines Tel
no. (63) (049) 536 0205 |
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