Pink and Blue Ginger

Pink and Blue Ginger (Fen Hong He Lan Jiang)

Botanical Name: Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb.

Pink and blue ginger (Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb.) has the same medicinal properties as black turmeric (Curcuma caesia) though they are different species in the genus Curcuma. Both are mainly used medicinally and most commonly to prevent cancer cells from growing. This herb also treats bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and provide pain relief caused by toothaches, osteoarthritis, and stomach disorders. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is in the same genus, but it is a different plant from these two.

Below is an overview of Pink and Blue Ginger (Fen Hong He Lan Jiang), combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of Pink and Blue Ginger (Fen Hong He Lan Jiang).

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Western

Western Name: Pink and Blue Ginger

Also Known As: Dark Blue Temu, Temu Hitam, Waan-maa-haa-mek

Organs/Systems: Immunity, Respiratory, Digestive, Skin

Key Western Actions & Medicinal Uses: Anthelmintic, Depurative, Anti-inflammatory, Anticancer, Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antiasthmatic, Antipyretic, Aromatic. Diarrhea, fungal infections, colic, asthma, cough, obesity, rheumatism, scurvy, itchy skin, mental anxiety and confusion, accelerates release of the lochia, bronchitis, pneumonia, toothaches, stomach disorders, support immune system, prevent cancer.

Eastern

Pin Yin: Fen Hong He Lan Jiang (translates as Pink and Blue Ginger)

Also Known As: Shen Lan Se De Temu (translates as Dark Blue Temu), Waan Mahaameak (Thai name)

Meridians: Lungs, Stomach, Liver

Key TCM Actions & Medicinal Uses: Clears Heat/Calms Cough/Supports Lungs: coughs, cold, pneumonia, fevers, asthma, bronchitis, headaches. Relieves Pain: sore throats, toothache, rheumatic, stomach aches. Soothes Stomach: poor appetite, indigestion, stomach aches, diarrhea. Cleanses Blood/Moves Blood: promote menses, release afterbirth. Soothes Skin: detoxing, rashes, ringworm, scabies, itchy skin, fungal infections.

Basic Habitat/Botany:

Pink and blue ginger is a member of the ginger family Zingiberaceae, and the genus Curcuma. The genus Curcuma contains about 100 accepted species, including turmeric. It is a type of turmeric whose rhizomes have pink tips and grayish-blue or blue centers. It is a perennial plant producing unbranched leafy stems up to 200 cm tall from a large underground rhizome. Its leaves are distichous, oblong-lanceolate with a purple or reddish-brown patch along the sides of the distal half of the mid rib on the upper side only that will fade with maturity. It is native to southeast Asia including southern China, Indian Subcontinent, New Guinea, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. It likes tropical rainforests and is often found on riverbanks, the margins of forests, grassy places, and teak forests at elevations of 400-750 meters.

Pink and Blue Ginger (Fen Hong He Lan Jiang)

Parts Most Frequently Used: Root, Rhizome

Flavors/Temps: Very Bitter

Caution: Considered safe.

History/Folklore: Pink and blue ginger contains 27 different compounds. 75% of them are monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids. The terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids and sesquiterpenes found in pink and blue ginger collectively exhibit powerful anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties.

Pink and blue ginger is very bitter and not typically used as a condiment the way other yellow or white species of turmeric are. Like black turmeric, it is mostly used medicinally.

Pink and blue ginger accelerates the release of the lochia. (Also called the postpartum period, it is the vaginal release of the puerperium containing blood, mucus, and uterine tissue. This discharge can continue for 4-6 weeks post childbirth.)

A pinch of the powdered root can be applied directly to toothaches. Crushed fresh pink and blue ginger can be applied to wounds. Chewing on a piece of the roots will aid digestion. And a poultice or mash of fresh root can be applied to rheumatic joint pain areas to relieve the swelling and pain.

The combination of Curcuma aeruginosa, hexane extract, and minoxidil is being studied as an effective botanically derived inhibitor of 5a-reductase that inhibits male-pattern balding.

A dye can be made from the roots.

Key Constituents:

Terpenoids (including Cineole, Camphor, Borneol), Curcumin, Sterols, Organic acids, Fatty acids, Sugars.

Mix with Pepper

The properties of pink and blue ginger and black pepper compliment each other, significantly increasing the release of the powerful constituent curcumin, found in ginger and turmeric plants.

Very Bitter

Pink and blue ginger is edible, but it is so bitter that it is mainly used as a medicine.

Pink Tips and Grayish-blue Centers

Pink and blue ginger is distinguished by its rhizome having pink tips and grayish-blue centers.

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Pink and Blue Ginger