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Why was shampoo ginger indispensable?

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The shampoo ginger (Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Smith) is frequently cultivated in home and village gardens from southern Asia throughout the Oceanic and Pacific Islands. Ancient Polynesians carried the ginger on their outriggers when settling new islands. Called ava pui vao in Samoan and awapuhi kuahiwi in Hawaiian, it is considered one of the Polynesians' main medicinal plants.

Plant of the Week 01/19/2004

Shampoo Ginger (Zingiber zerumbet)
Plant of the Week 01/19/2004

According to the Hawaiian Medical Library, the ashes of the leaves were used to treat cuts and open sores. The rhizome (underground stem) was used on ringworm (Tinea fungus), a common skin problem in the tropics, along with injuries like sprains and bruises. A decoction, made by soaking the crushed rhizome in water, straining, and drinking, settled upset stomachs and relieved stomachaches and headaches. ("Mala La'au: A Garden of Healing Plants")

According to Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawai'i, the fresh rhizome was ground, placed in a cloth, and bound to severe sprains. Cooked until soft, the rhizome was pressed into caries to relieve toothaches. Dried and powdered, it was placed between folds of kapa cloth (bark cloth made from paper mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera) when the cloth was stored. Awapuhi leaves were laid over baking pork or fish for flavoring. ("Awapuhi")

The Hawaiian uses of awapuhi probably did help for certain injuries. In a letter to the Indian Journal of Pharmacology (2003), M. Nhareet Somchit and M.H. Nur Shukriyah report that volatile oils from the rhizome contain zerumbone, humulene, and camprene. The zerumbone has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and reduce swelling. ("Anti Inflammatory Property of Ethanol and Water Extracts of Zingiber zerumbet")

Perhaps awapuhi will one day enter into chemotherapy or cancer prevention. In the British Journal of Cancer (April 1999), S. Vimala, A.W. Norhanom, and M. Yadav report that zerumbone has shown inhibitory activity against the Epstein-Barr virus which can cause certain cancers. ("Anti-tumour promoter activity in Malaysian ginger rhizobia used in traditional medicine")

Plants of Hawaii, part of theHawaiian Ecosystems at Risk Project, has posted three great photographs of awapuhi taken by Forest and Kim Starr. To view the photographs, click on the link:

Click here to view the photographs

Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images.

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Ginger Root

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Favorite Seasoner for Stir Fry

Ginger root is a warm, spicy flavor is a must for Oriental cuisine. Plant rhizomes just beneath soil surface in an 8-inch pot. Dig after 8 months.

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Comments: Stores for months on the pantry shelf. Southern gardeners may grow the plant in the garden, leaving 15-24 inches between the plants. The plant can be spindly looking. Superior flavor to purcheased powder. Slightly pungent flavor. Favored seasoner in Oriental dishes.

Bird of Paradise

Springhill Nursery®

Magnificent, colorful Bird of Paradise flowers resemble the head of a tropical bird! From winter to spring, the purple and orange-toned spathes are crowned with 4"-long blooms of orange, yellow and blue.

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Springhill Nursery®

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Shocking Lily

Breck's Bulbs®

Turn your backyard into a tropical paradise with this stunningly beautiful Lily.

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Breck's Bulbs®

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