Kunyit Putih ( Curcuma zedoaria)

 

Kunyit Putih (White Turmeric): An Integrative Herbal Profile

Botanical Information

• Scientific Name: Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe

• Family: Zingiberaceae

• Common Names: White turmeric, Zedoary, Kunyit putih (Malay/Indonesian), Shatkachura (Sanskrit), Kachur (Hindi)

• Plant Description:
  A perennial herb with underground rhizomes that are white to pale yellow inside. The plant resembles other Curcuma species and is commonly found in tropical Asia. It produces narrow cone-shaped inflorescences with pink or purple flowers.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Properties

• Chinese Name: E Zhu (莪术)

• Properties: Bitter, Acrid, Warm

• Meridian Tropism: Liver, Spleen

• Main Functions:

  • Invigorates blood circulation and breaks blood stasis

  • Activates Qi and alleviates pain

  • Resolves food stagnation and reduces masses

• Indications: Used in conditions such as abdominal masses, amenorrhea, trauma, food retention, and pain related to blood stasis.

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Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM)

• Widely used in jamu and postnatal care

• Key Uses:

  • Wound and skin healing

  • Anti-inflammatory tonic

  • Remedy for bloating, gastric, and indigestion

  • Traditionally believed to help dissolve cysts and fibroids

  • Used as a fertility and postpartum restorative herb

• Preparations: Decoctions, powdered capsules, pastes, and oil infusions

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Ayurveda Perspective

• Ayurvedic Name: Shatkachura

• Rasa (Taste): Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)

• Virya (Potency): Ushna (Heating)

• Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect): Katu (Pungent)

• Dosha Effects: Balances Vata and Kapha, may increase Pitta

• Therapeutic Actions:

  • Deepana (Improves appetite)

  • Pachana (Enhances digestion)

  • Krimighna (Anti-parasitic)

  • Lekhana (Fat scraper)

  • Vedanasthapana (Analgesic)

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Phytochemical Constituents

Key bioactive compounds include:

• Curcuminoids (less than in Curcuma longa)

• Zedoarone

• Curdione

• Germacrone

• Curzerenone

• 1,8-Cineole

• Bisdemethoxycurcumin

• Furanodiene

• Essential oils (zingiberene, curcumol)

These phytochemicals exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties.

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Therapeutic Names and Applications

System	Name	Key Uses
TCM	E Zhu (莪术)	Qi and blood stasis, masses, dysmenorrhea
Malay	Kunyit Putih	Digestive aid, women’s tonic, anticancer adjunct
Ayurveda	Shatkachura	Anti-inflammatory, fat metabolism, digestive tonic
English	Zedoary	Antimicrobial, antioxidant, pain relief

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Nutrient Content

Although primarily a medicinal herb, Curcuma zedoaria contains:

• Vitamin C

• Iron

• Calcium

• Magnesium

• Dietary fiber

• Polyphenols and volatile oils

These contribute to its immune-supporting and detoxifying effects.

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Therapeutic Benefits

1. Anticancer: Shows cytotoxic effects on cancer cells (e.g., breast, colon, liver)

2. Anti-inflammatory: Reduces swelling and joint pain

3. Antioxidant: Scavenges free radicals

4. Digestive Aid: Stimulates bile and appetite, relieves bloating

5. Antimicrobial: Effective against bacteria and fungi

6. Skin Health: Used for eczema, acne, and wounds

7. Menstrual Health: Regulates menstrual flow and reduces cramps

8. Postpartum Recovery: Restores strength, clears lochia, and prevents infection

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Conclusion

Kunyit Putih (Curcuma zedoaria) is a versatile medicinal plant revered across traditional healing systems—TCM, Ayurveda, and Traditional Malay Medicine. With a unique blend of volatile oils, sesquiterpenes, and curcuminoids, it offers a broad range of therapeutic benefits including anticancer, digestive, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Despite being less known than yellow turmeric, its role in women's health, digestive disorders, and inflammation-related diseases makes it a valuable addition to modern phytotherapy and integrative medicine.

As research continues to unveil its pharmacological potential, Kunyit Putih is poised to gain wider recognition both in traditional practice and evidence-based herbal medicine.

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Reference-Data compile with Chat GPT 

• Ammon, H. P. T., & Wahl, M. A. (1991). Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Medica, 57(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-960004

• Aziz, I. Z. A., & Misbah, A. (2018). Medicinal properties of Curcuma zedoaria: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 9(5), 2001–2007. https://doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.9(5).2001-07

• Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. (2020). Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (Vol. 1). China Medical Science Press.

• Kamatou, G. P. P., Vermaak, I., & Viljoen, A. M. (2010). Eugenol—from the remote Maluku Islands to the international market place: A review of a remarkable and versatile molecule. Molecules, 15(10), 6953–6981. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules15106953

• Khairunnisa, Z., Jamal, P., & Salleh, M. Z. (2016). Anticancer properties of zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria Roscoe): A review. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 6(6), 136–142. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2016.60620

• Sharma, R. (2013). Ayurvedic pharmacology and therapeutic uses of medicinal plants (Dravyagunavignyan). Chaukhambha Sanskrit Pratishthan.