Benefits of Lempuyang Plants for Health

Lempuyang (Zingiber zerumbet) is often cultivated as an ornamental plant because of its bright red flowers. Besides being beautiful to look at, lempuyang is also widely used by some Indonesians as herbal medicine and cooking spices.

Several studies have shown that lempuyang contains zerumbone which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, and anti-cancer effects. In addition, lempuyang is also rich in the following substances and nutrients:

Polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants
Carbohydrate
Protein
Fiber
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium
Vitamin C

Benefits of Lempuyang for Health
Lempuyang can be processed and consumed as herbs and teas or herbal supplements. The following are some of the benefits that can be obtained by consuming lempuyang:

1. Relieve inflammation
Lempuyang contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can treat inflammation, either due to viral or bacterial infections or in the process of wound healing. Therefore, this herb can be used to treat symptoms that arise due to inflammation, such as fever, pain, and swelling in body parts.

2. Prevent and overcome microbial growth
Various studies have shown that lempuyang has benefits as a natural antibacterial agent. The study also states that the lempuyang extract can eradicate and inhibit the growth of bacteria, such as the Streptococcus type bacteria

Apart from having antibacterial properties, lempuyang also has antifungal and antiviral effects.

3. Relieves fever
Lempuyang has long been used as a herbal plant to treat fever naturally. This benefit is due to the substance zerumbone which has anti-inflammatory effects and natural fever relief. Not only that, lempuyang also has an antibacterial effect that can treat fever due to bacterial infection.

4. Relieve joint pain
Several studies have shown that lempuyang has natural anti-inflammatory properties as well as an anti-pain effect that can relieve pain, including joint pain.

Joint pain generally occurs due to inflammation of the joints or osteoarthritis. This condition generally resolves on its own through self-care at home, such as adequate rest and cold compresses to painful and swollen joints.

5. Inhibits the growth of cancer cells
Not only relieves fever, zerumbone content is also known to have anticancer properties. Various laboratory studies have shown that lempuyang extract appears to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

This makes lempuyang a potential medicine to prevent and treat cancer.

6. Controlling blood sugar
One of the most important benefits of Lempuyang is controlling blood sugar. A study shows that lempuyang extract can reduce blood sugar levels and keep them stable.

These benefits make lempuyang a herbal medicine that has the potential to prevent insulin resistance and diabetes.

In addition to the various properties above, there are other benefits of lempuyang that are also good for health, including:

Overcoming digestive problems, such as diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence
Increase appetite
Maintain nerve and brain health
Lowering and controlling blood pressure

Unfortunately, until now, there has been no research that states that lempuyang is proven to be effective and can be used as a medicine to treat various diseases. Therefore, the claims about the various benefits of lempuyang above still need to be further investigated.