MEDICAL BENEFITS AND USES OF KACHOLAM(GALANGA)

                                                             

                       WRITTEN BY BHASKARAN V.G,UDAYANOOR,  

KACHOLAM is an attractive medicinal plant used in various medicines.The plant is a perennial herb with aromatic rhizomes with rotund ovate leaves,lying close to the surface of the ground without any prominent pseudostem.the underground rhizome is globose with prominent secondary tubers and bulbous roots.It is a reputed remedy for respiratory ailment like cough ,brochitis and asthma.Chewing kacholam rhizome along with betel leaf cures cough and other breathing problems.For tooth ache,apply rhizome pulp on the gum.It can be used in hair tonics as a perfume.Adding rhizome powder in herbal shampoo helps to prevent dandruff.    

Administering dry rhizome powder mixed with honey can prevent vomiting.To cure worm infection in children,administer one teaspoon of fresh rhizome juice.For stomach ache take rhizome pulp.For curing stomach ailments in children,give one spoonful of Kacholam powder mixed in lemon juice and ginger.

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