Cekur

Scientific name : Kaempferia galangal
Family: Zingiberaeceae
Common Name : Cekur
Other name : kencur
Location found: On the edge of the forest

Explanation
The leaves are smooth with tapered shape, compact structured viewed in pairs of opposites. The end of the pointy leaves , about 16 cm long , 8 cm wide . The leaves have a slight fragrance . Cekur is producing white - purple flowers . Root / rhizome are branches with aromatic flesh and it is yellow and orange . Cekur is not the main ingredient in the Malaysia cuisine but has a big role in the cuisine of Indonesia , Thailand , Vietnam and India .

Usage:
In Southeast Asia , cekur rhizomes mixed with pepper , cinnamon and honey to cure cold . It is used as a tonic to cure tuberculosis and bronchitis . Cekur also used as a lotion for treating sore eyes, sore throat , swelling , fever , aches and bone . For women after childbirth,cekur helps to pull the uterus( dont ask me, im not sure what this called in English but it nearly hit the spot) and flatulence . In Indonesia , the roots used to treat food poisoning , mouth ulcers, coughs and colds . Cekur roots are chewed and swallowed can make someone go high(like drugs). In India, the fragrance of cekur used to protect clothes from insects. In the Philippines, cekur root broth is used to treat abdominal pain due to poor digestion of food . A decoction is also used for hair wash to overcome dandruff and relieve itching and painful gnawing worms. In Thailand , cekur used to treat headaches.