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VOL. 11, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Hedychium Spicatum: A holistic review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology
Authors
Muskan Dhiman, Jaya Thakur, Harsharan Singh
Abstract
Hedychium spicatum
Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as spiked ginger
lily or Kapur-kachari, is a perennial rhizomatous herb widely distributed in
the Himalayan region and valued for its medicinal, aromatic and ethnobotanical
significance. Morphologically, the plant is characterized by aromatic rhizomes,
erect leafy stems, lanceolate leaves, and terminal spikes bearing fragrant
white to orange-yellow flowers. Traditionally, H. spicatum has been
extensively used in indigenous systems of medicine to treat respiratory
disorders, gastrointestinal ailments, inflammation, and pain, with its rhizome
being the most therapeutically important part. In Ayurveda, it is incorporated
into various formulations for managing asthma, cough, fever, and digestive
disorders, reflecting its role in balancing bodily doshas. Pharmacological
investigations have validated several of these traditional claims,
demonstrating anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant,
antidiabetic, anti-asthmatic activities attributed to bioactive constituents such
as terpenoids, flavonoids and essential oils. Despite promising preclinical
evidence, clinical studies on H. spicatum remain limited, highlighting a
gap between traditional knowledge and clinical validation. Overall, this review
consolidates current knowledge on morphology, ethnobotanical uses, Ayurvedic
formulations, pharmacological potential and clinical evidence of H. spicatum,
emphasizing its therapeutic relevance and the need for well-designed clinical
trials to establish its efficacy and safety for modern drug development.
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Pages:192-200
How to cite this article:
Muskan Dhiman, Jaya Thakur, Harsharan Singh "<i>Hedychium Spicatum</i>: A holistic review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 11, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 192-200
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