Its botanical name is Etlingera elatior. It is known in Indonesian as bunga kecombrang or honje, in Malaysia as bunga kantan. The showy pink flowers are used in decorative arrangements while the flower buds are an important ingredient in the Nonya dish laksa.
Etlingera elatior (Zingiberaceae family) is widely cultivated in tropical countries and used as spices and food flavoring.
Etlingera elatior has also been well known for its medicinal properties among indigenous communities in Malaysia. Decoction prepared from the fruit of Etlingera elatior has been used to treat ear ache and the leaves have been used in wound healing. The young flower shoot of Etlingera elatior was reported to have antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-tumor promoting properties. Etlingera elatior inflorescence is known to have high antioxidant properties. Flower extract of Etlingera elatior has powerful antioxidant effect against lead - induced oxidative stress and the extract may be useful therapeutic agent against lead toxicity.
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