Alpinia rafflesiana

The herb typically grows 0.5 meters (1.5 ft) to 2 meters (6 ft) tall.[3] The leaves are hairless and smooth on the upper surface and have light velvety hairs on the lower surface and margins in an alternating arrangement.[2] It has an indeterminate inflorescence and is monoecious, with the female flower having 5 carpels and 5 stigmas and the male flowers having 5 anthers.[4][5] Flowers are bright orange colored, measure between 4 and 4 ½ cm long with dark orange bracts and boat-shaped lobes; they lack petals and have a lily-like fragrance. The fruits are small, round, green, fleshy and contain one seed.[3]

Alpinia rafflesiana is found in the secondary forest and tends to grow from sea level to 1,200 meters.[1] This plant tends to grow best in environments with full to partial sunlight, and moist and fertile soil.[1] The A. rafflesiana species is dispersed by wind and water, and the species is pollinated by birds, bees and bats.[6][7]

Alpinia rafflesiana is mainly cultivated as a medicinal crop, growing the best in an environment containing moist and nutritious soil with either partial or full sunlight.[1] The fruit of the A. rafflesiana plant is used as an anti-inflammatory and alternative cancer treatment by isolating cardamonin, a chemical that inhibits major signaling pathways found in inflammation and cancer.[8] In neuroinflammatory disorders, the isolated cardamonin has been used to block the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators.[9] Cardamonin isolated from A. rafflesiana has shown to be successful in treating ulcers, nausea and vomiting, bacterial infections, fungal infections, low blood sugar, indigestion, and anxiety.[10] The leaves, pseudo-stems, rhizomes, and fruit of the plant are used to produce essential oils with antimicrobial properties.[11] The leaves of A. rafflesiana are commonly used to shrink and drain boils through poultice application.[1]