PLAAI root (Zingiber cassumunar).

ACTIONS : Very powerful cooling Analgesic, anti-bacterial, fungal, viral, inflammatory, neuralgic, antiseptic, spasmodic, toxic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, tonic, vermifuge.

APPLICATIONS : Aches and pains, inflammations, joint pain, muscle spasms, sprains and strains, torn muscles + ligaments, asthma, catarrh, chronic colds, colics, constipation, diarrhea, fevers, flatulence, heartburn, influenza, nausea, respiratory problems : irritable bowels, colds, flu, and to stimulate the immune system.

In Thailand, this root is used as a COOLING muscle relaxant and to relieve knee, muscle + joint pain such as Acute Gout.

Steam distilled from the rhizome of the herb, Plai EO has long been used by Thai MASSAGE THERAPISTS to treat joints + muscles and reduce inflammation.

Plai EO is also a powerful antibacterial and antioxidant added in anti-wrinkle and anti-aging creams and lotions.

Plaai, Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. is also part of those wonderful HERBAL BALLS and massage oils to relieve muscle + joint aches and pains.

MAKE YOUR OWN : A 1 thumb-length root is mashed with mortar and pestle. A pinch of salt and enough water is added to make a paste which is strained and applied on painful areas (with a gauze, compress or cloth)

For indigestion, dysentery, diarrhea, intestinal inflammation and injury to internal organs, drink Plai tea 3 times per day.

Apply topically to contusions, sprains and inflammations of joints and ligaments.

Hilltribes use Plaai for new mothers recovery after delivery.

Steam distilled EOs from Plaai have been shown to cure acne, bruises, burnt skin, skin inflammation, muscle pain, insect bites and asthmatic symptoms.

They are also proven for cough and respiration symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory properties : for pain and inflammation due to injury blend the oil with a carrier oil, lotion or with beewax.

Also efficient to help clear skin problems if used in soap.

This pale yellow EO, steam distilled from the roots has a fresh spicy, rooty, camphoraceous, grapefruit/yuzu like note with a coniferous undertone.

Its unique citrus note is found at the heart of this spicy root.

In natural perfumery, it works well in citrus colognes, spice notes, apothecary perfumes, culinary accords, earth notes, ayurvedic preparations

The Plaai root (rhizome) is used in Thai medicine for both external and internal problems.

Aroma : Native to Thailand, Indonesia and India, the pale amber oil has a cool, green peppery aroma with a touch of spiciness.

RESEARCH : pure compounds isolated from this plant have shown anti-microbial, topical and oral anti-inflammatory, analgesic, smooth muscle relaxant, anti-tyrosinase and anti-oxidative activities.

Kasetsart University researchers in Thailand found that the freshly distilled root showed better results than by hexane extraction.  (Ref. 43 : 212 – 217 (2009))

Also known botanically as Zingiber montanum, its EO has been intensely researched in Thailand.

It was proven that the EO is a powerful anti-inflammatory when applied topically, due to the activity of 5 major components.

Testing showed that Terpinen-4-ol, a-Terpinene and (E)-1-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) butadiene (DMPBD) significantly inhibited oedema.

The most active natural compound is DMPBD, which is twice as potent as the commercial drug VOLTAREN, a.k.a Diclofenac by its generic name. This a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Voltarol is currently one of the strongest known chemical anti-inflammatory drugs, but several adverse effects have been reported. Plai E O is a safer, natural alternative.

More Information : Plai is native to India, but the best quality and efficacy of this E O come from Thailand.

Since the price of genuine Plai oil from Thailand is a bit higher, you may find oils from these other countries that claim their origin as Thailand.

The unique citrus note is found at the heart of this spicy root.

In natural perfumery, it works well in citrus colognes, spice notes, apothecary perfumes, culinary accords, earth notes, ayurvedic preparations.

{pictures : one Plai root and flowers)