Scientific Name Alpina calcarata Rosc.Family Zingiberaceae
Used Part Rhizome.
Distribution Area Often cultivated in gardens in eastern and southern India.
Common Uses . The rhizomes are bitter acrid thermogenic, aromaticn nervine tonic,stimulant , revulsive, carminative, stomachiac, disinfectant, aphrodisiac, expectorant, bronchiodilator, febrigue, antiinflmatory and tonic . They are useful in vitiated conditions of vata and kapha rheumatoid arthirtis, inflamations, stomatopathy, pharyngopathy, cough, asthama, bronchitis, hiccough, dyspepsia, stomachalgia, obesity, diabetes, cephalagia, tubercular glands and intermittent fevers. The drug is much used in rheumatism and bronchial catarrh. It is considered a tonic, stomachic, carminative and stimulant, and is used as a fragrant adjunct to complex preparations and also in cough and digestive mixtures. Its chief use is for clearing the voice. The drug has an expectorant action, similar to that of dill (Anethum graveolens Linn.) and anise (Pimpinella anisum Linn.), and is useful in many respiratory ailments, especially of children. It has an anti-spasmodic effect which alleviates asthma and also exhibits anti-amphetamine and diuretic properties. In affections of the gastro-intestinal tract, the drug may be useful like other volatile oils.
Similar crude drugs
Rhizomes of other Alpinia spp., viz. A. conchigera, A.mutica, A. nigra, A. rafflesiana Wall. apud Baker, and A. scabra Baker, are sometimes substituted for the genuine drug. In Kerala A. calcarata and A. malaccensis are available in plenty in market.
