Aarya Aroma-Zedoary Oil

Traditional Uses:

Though the Zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria) is native to India and Indonesia, it is also found in the flat southern terrai forests of Nepal. It was introduced to Europe by Arabs around the sixth century, but its use as a spice in the West today is extremely rare.

Zedoary is a rhizome, also known as Kachur in Nepali grows in tropical and subtropical wet forest of Nepal. The fragrant plant bears yellow flowers with red and green bracts and the underground stem section is large and tuberous with numerous branches. The leaf shoots of the zedoary are long and can reach 1 metre (3 feet) in height.

Traditionally, Kachur is used for treating flatulent colic and indigestion, though not as popular as ginger for the same purpose and the bitter tincture of zedoary root is used to prevent disease recurrence (as with malaria) and to treat ulcers. Through its bitter properties, zedoary increases the flow of gastric juices relieving dyspepsia and gastrointestinal upsets associated with digestive organ congestion. Kachur is used for treating stomach ailments and general weakness. The root of this plant is considered to be stimulants, aphrodisiacs, and, amazingly, a cure for amnesia. It is a warm, stimulating aromatic, useful in flatulent colic and debility of the digestive organs. It is nutritive, appetizer, digestive and carminative agent. It is known to help in anorexia, cardiac disorders and dyspepsia.

It is used as a condiment, as a flavoring for liqueurs and bitters, in perfumery, and medicinally as a carminative and stimulant. Zedoary is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Liliopsida, order Zingiberales, family Zingiberaceae.

Kachur oil is obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe through steam distillation

1. Organoleptic Properties:

Appearance: Viscous liquid

Color: Golden yellow

Aroma: Warm-spicy, woody & camphoraceous cineolic odor

2. Physico - Chemical Properties:

Specific Gravity: 0.899 - 0.9313 at 27º C

Optical Rotation: (-) 0.75º to 8º at 27º C

Refractive Index: 1.39 to 1.482 at 27º C

Acid No: 1.162 to 3.74

Ester No: 8.23 to 37.28

Ester No: after Acetylation: 60 to 75

Solubility: Soluble in 80-90% alcohol

3.Constituents:

The essential oil contains D-borneol; D-camphene; D-camphor; cineole; curculone;

curcumadiol; curcumanolide A and B; Curcumenol; curcumenone curcumin;

curcumol; curdione; dehydrocurdione; alpha-pinene; mucilage; starch; resin;

sesquiterpenes; and sesquiterpene alcohols. The root also contains numerous

other bitter substances; tannins; and flavonoids.

(Source: Duke JA. 1992. Handbook of Phytochemical Constituents of GRAS Herbs

and Other Economic Plants).

4. Packing:

Aluminum containers and epoxy-lined metallic barrels

500g, 1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 50 kg, 100 kg, capacities

5. Uses:

In fragrance and flavor industry

Improves blood circulation, ant contusion, and improves menstrual flow.

It helps in abdominal cramps, amenorrhea-abdominal pain and rheumatic pain.

It also helps in pain and swelling associated with sprains.

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References:

Adams R. (2001), Identification of essential oil components by gas chromatophy/ quadrupole mass spectroscopy, Allured Publishing Co, Carol Stream, USA.

Lewis W. (1977), Medical Botany. Plants AffectingMan’s Health. John Wiley & Sons, New York

Lawless, J. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils . Element Books, Inc. Rockport, MA 1995;132.

Guenther, E. 1948: The essential oils, Vol. 1-5. Van Norstrand. (ISB 0-88275-073-9)

Lawless, J. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils - The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy and Herbalism, Element, Shaftesbury, 1995

Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson and J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.

Medicinal Plants of Nepal, His Majesty's Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Department of Plant Resources, 6th Edition, Kathmandu, 2001