Belonging to the ginger family, this plant has a few different names, the most common of which is cassumunar ginger. Known in Thailand as plai, it is an herb of short, green stems each bearing several green leaves.

The stems protrude from a fleshy rhizome – a root mass, i.e. stems that grow under ground and shoot out the roots and stems of the plant – that rCyrpressesembles ginger root. In Thailand, the rhizome is used in food and the oil that comes from it is used in massage because of its medicinal properties.

The rhizome has an aromatic scent with a warm and spicy, though somewhat bitter, flavor. Aside from the aforementioned uses, it is also used to treat poisoning from snakebites, intestinal disorders and fever.

The oil is added to lotions and decoctions as well and has been shown to have antioxidant properties.