Etlingera elatior

A Gift of Nature From Its Splendorous Beauty to Its Nutritional and Medical Benefits

Etlingera Elatior (EE) is a tropical perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae.  Alternative Botanical name: Phaeomeria magnifica.  Native to India Bangladesh and Asian Pacific, thrives abundantly in the humid Rain Forest of Costa Rica. It is one of the most beautiful plants in the world.

known for its splendorous inflorescence, but also because the Etlingera is highly rich in antioxidants, essential oils and medicinal properties.  And, not only that. this delight is edible.There are over a hundred species of Etlingeras, some growing over six meters tall with leaves spreading to 85 cm long.The most popular is the Etlingera elatior (EE), also known as "Torch Ginger","Torch Lilly", "Porcelain Rose", "Bunga Kantan" and "Waxflower". The Etlingera has a whole array of uses: the leafy tender shoots are edible and cultivated for this purpose.They produce rhizomes which are eaten raw, or cooked, the same way onion is used as a condiment to prepare rice, curries and soups.The sweet and sour fruits are also eaten.

Used also for perfume and shampoo ingredients. The Phytochemistry of EE rhizomes have isolated six compounds of diarylheptanoids, labdane, diterpenoids, and steroids.The inflorescences show presence of flavinoids, and terpenoids. The leaves of the Etlingera Elatior (EE) possess three ccaffeoylquinic acids including chorogenic acid (CGA) and three flavonoids: quercitrin, isquercitrin and catechin, which have significant commercial value.Pharmacologically EE is know to have one of the highest antioxidant properties (AOP), antibacterial, antifungal and as a tyrosinase inhibitor to control Parkinson's disease.Cytotoxic activity from rhizomes displayed extraordinary anti-tumor properties and its Hepatoprotective activity.  One study, Khor Yen HawSrikumar Chakravarthi, Nagaraja Haleagrahara, Mallikarjuna Rao (2011), concluded that EE is very effective in the treatment of lead poisoning, which damages the central nervous system, kidneys, blood and reproductive system to individuals, especially fetuses and young children who have been exposed to "lead acetate".  An earlier study also concluded that Etlingera Elatior protects the bone marrow against lead toxicity.

The medicinal properties range from treating headaches, digestive disorders, stomach aches, skin conditions as urticaria to relieve itching. Studies by the Society of chemical Industry (2010) on the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of EE leaves, rhizomes and inflorescences come to the same marvelous results.Etlingera Elatior is a high grade Antioxidant, an antibacterial, an antifungal, a tyrosinase inhibitor, antitumor, cytotoxic and has hepatoprotective properties. (Pharmacognosy Journal, 2011)

And, all along, we thought it was just another pretty flower that grows like weeds here at Etlingera Farms 

Please Visit Our Photo Gallery for More Images of the Majestic Etlingera