{"id":4951,"date":"2021-02-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phakhaolao.la\/story\/traditional-uses-of-zingiberaceae-species-in-lao-society\/"},"modified":"2024-10-22T22:33:12","modified_gmt":"2024-10-22T22:33:12","slug":"traditional-uses-of-zingiberaceae-species-in-lao-society","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/phakhaolao.la\/en\/story\/traditional-uses-of-zingiberaceae-species-in-lao-society\/","title":{"rendered":"Traditional uses of Zingiberaceae species in Lao Society"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduce: <\/strong>Terminology of Zingiberaceae species in Lao. In Laos, Zingiberaceae species are divided into different categories. Therefore the terms for each species vary according to its use by the Lao people.
\nGingers in daily use (alimentary or medicinal) include four species:
\n1. khing refers to Zingiber <\/em>species
\n2. kha to Alpinia<\/em> species
\n3. khi min to Curcuma<\/em> species
\n4. mak naeng or naeng to Amomum<\/em> species.
\nIn some cases, Globba<\/em> species are listed under the Lao term \u2018naeng\u2019 or \u2018khing\u2019, respectively referring to the Amomum<\/em> and Zingiber<\/em> species. Although this is the term used in the local language, it does not correspond to the scientific classification. Another term employed is \u2018euang\u2019, applied to the orchid family as well as to some edible gingers species as \u2018euang na\u2019 (Costus specious<\/em><\/a>). More generally, the term \u2018van\u2019 includes plants that are considered to have a magical effect which applies to many Zingiberaceae species.\u00a0 Unlike the four ginger species mentioned above, which relate to the non-religious sphere, the \u2018van\u2019 has a magic connotation, it belongs to the spirit world, and is sometimes inhabited by a spirit that has to be worshipped.<\/p>\n

Traditional use of Zingiberaceae species in Laos
\nGingers species in Laos have five main uses:
\n1.\u00a0 Alimentary use
\n2.\u00a0 Medicinal treatment
\n3.\u00a0 Other common use
\n4.\u00a0 Ritual ceremonies
\n5.\u00a0 Magical use<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 Alimentary use<\/strong>
\nUnlike inhabitants of neighboring countries, traditional Lao cooking does not make much use of Zingiberaceae species. Species for culinary use are mainly limited to the ginger (Zingiber officinale<\/em><\/a>) and the galanga (Alpinia galanga<\/a>, Alpinia conchigera<\/a><\/em>), whose roots are used in sauces, soups, etc.
\nAs well as other gingers such as cardamom (Amomum<\/em>), galanga (Alpinia bracteata<\/em><\/a>), Ginger (Zingiber cassumunar<\/em><\/a>, Zingiber zerumbet<\/a>, Zingiber rubens, Zingiber mekongens<\/a><\/em>e<\/a>) and Costus<\/em> species, their flowers, buds or leaves are consumed either steamed or grilled and served as an accompanying dish.
\nIn some other species, such as Amomum<\/em>, the seeds are sucked as sweets for their refreshing and perfumed effects after meals, or sometimes added to the traditional betel-nut chewing.<\/p>\n

\"\u0e82\u0ec8\u0eb2\u0ec0\u0e9b\u0eb1\u0e99\u0ead\u0eb4\u0e81\u0e8a\u0eb0\u0e99\u0eb4\u0e94\u0e97\u0eb5\u0ec8\u0e99\u0eb4\u0e8d\u0ebb\u0ea1\u0ec3\u0e8a\u0ec9\u0e9b\u0eb0\u0e81\u0ead\u0e9a\u0ec0\u0e82\u0ebb\u0ec9\u0eb2\u0ec3\u0e99\u0ec0\u0e84\u0eb7\u0ec8\u0ead\u0e87\u0ec0\u0e97\u0e94<\/a>
\nGalanga shoots use with cooking in Lao food ingredient, image illustration from Stupper, C., Medicinisch-pharmaceutische Botanik (1841-1843)<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Medicinal treatment<\/strong>
\nThe medicinal properties of ginger species are well-known among traditional societies. As far as the Lao pharmacopeia is concerned, gingers are categorized as a \u201chot\u201d remedy and are frequently used in daily decoctions for fever, rheumatism, headache, stomach ache. Each species has its own specificities:<\/p>\n

\"\u0e82\u0eb5\u0e87\u0ec1\u0ea1\u0ec8\u0e99\u0ea1\u0eb5\u0e81\u0eb2\u0e99\u0e99\u0eb3\u0ec3\u0e8a\u0ec9\u0ea1\u0eb2\u0e8d\u0eb2\u0ea7\u0e99\u0eb2\u0e99<\/a>
\nGinger shoots are favorite for cooking and medicinal, Image illustration from: Ko\u0308hler, F.E., Ko\u0308hler\u2019s Medizinal Pflanzen (1883-1914)<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2022 Alpinia species<\/strong>
\nAmong the Alpinia species, the Alpinia bracteata<\/em><\/a> is used to treat intestine diseases and rheumatism, the Alpinia conchigera<\/em><\/a> is part of the composition of a treatment to fortify women after childbirth, the Alpinia galanga<\/em><\/a> is known to cure stomach ache as well as itching. In some ethnic groups in Laos, women would only eat grilled rhizomes of Alpinia galanga<\/em> <\/a>with sticky rice and grilled salt during the 15 days after childbirth.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Zingiber species<\/strong>
\nThe Ginger species include Zingiber zerumbet<\/a><\/em> which is used to treat fever, infant constipation, and more generally digestive system-related ailments,\u00a0 as well as skin diseases. Zingiber cassumunar<\/em><\/a> is a medicine to cure diarrhea and abscess, Zingiber cassumuna<\/a>r<\/em> serve as an antidote against poison caused by the absorption of other\u00a0 \u2018van\u2019.
\u2022 Curcuma species<\/strong>
\nCurcuma species such as Curcuma longa <\/em><\/a>or Curcuma singularis<\/em> are commonly used for stomach treatment, as an antidote against food poisoning and Curcuma aromatica<\/em><\/a> is used to cure arthritis.
\u2022\u00a0 Amomum species<\/strong>
\nAccording to traditional medicine, Amomum<\/em> species are generally used to treat stomach and intestine diseases.
\u2022\u00a0 Other Zingiberaceae species<\/strong>
\nOther species include Kaempferia parviflora<\/em><\/a>, Kaempferia galanga<\/em><\/a> used to cure headache, kidney and nervous system diseases, Kaempferia rotunda<\/em><\/a> to treat female sterility, Kaempferia laotica<\/em> to treat injuries and skin diseases, Boesenbergia rotunda<\/em><\/a> is known for its energy-boosting properties. Hedychium coronarium<\/em><\/a> is used to treat swelling. While Globba schomburgkii<\/em> is used to treat fever, Globba calophylla<\/em> is given as an energy-booster to women after childbirth.<\/p>\n

3. Other common use<\/strong>
\nSkin treatment: During the 19thcentury, a French traveler mentioned the \u201cgolden\u201d skin of women on their way back from bathing. It was actually a traditional habit for Lao women to rub their bodies with Curcuma longa<\/a> <\/em>as skin protection. In another field, when monastery drums were built, the traditional technique to treat the cow skin in order to remove its tallow smell was to rub it with different kinds of Zingiberaceae, notably Curcuma longa<\/em><\/a>, Zingiber cassumuna<\/em>r<\/a> and Zingiber zerumbet<\/em><\/a>.
\nNatural dye: Curcuma longa<\/em><\/a> was also used as a natural dye, notably for the monk\u2019s robes.<\/p>\n

4. Ritual ceremonies<\/strong>
\nAs it has been influenced by different cultures, the Lao society has integrated various ginger species into its ritual and worship practices. For instance, as an offering to the spirits, Zingiber zerumbet <\/em><\/a>symbolizes silver and Zingiber officinale<\/em><\/a> or Curcuma longa<\/em><\/a> represents gold.
\nThe composition of the water used to sprinkle images of the Buddha consists of chopped Kaempferia galanga<\/em><\/a> roots and leaves and Curcuma longa<\/em><\/a> roots mixed into the water in order to perfume and give it its sacred properties. Ground Kaempferia galanga<\/em><\/a> and ground Curcuma longa<\/em><\/a> are also part of the composition of the traditional incense sticks used in temples. In Northern Laos Hedychium coronarium<\/em><\/a> and Globba schomburgkii<\/em> flowers are offered with a pair of candles wrapped into a banana leave cone to worship the Buddha, especially during Buddhist festivities. The Lu ethnic group in particular, make lots of offerings of Globba schomburgkii<\/em> flowers during celebrations such as Vessantara or the festival of Xieng Tung stupa in Muang Sing.<\/p>\n

5. Magical use<\/strong>
\nGinger species for magical use are given the specific name of \u2018van\u2019 which indicates their magical nature. Some of them are used in the preparation of charms, such as Kaempferia angustifolia<\/em><\/a>, others such as Zingiber cassumunar<\/em><\/a>, serve to thwart the charm.
\nMost of the van belonging to the Zingiberaceae family have a medico-magical use, and as magic plants, some of them are submitted to particular rites of plantation and harvest. For instance, Stahlianthus thorelii <\/em>used to cure intestine and stomach diseases is planted on a Tuesday in the 6th month of the lunar calendar, and is also harvested on a Tuesday in the 12th month of the lunar calendar. Iron instruments are banished for harvesting, only wooden instruments are allowed. If the sick person is a man, the harvest should be done by a woman, and vice versa. Harvesting has to begin with offerings to the spirit of the van.
\nDue to the magic power conferred on certain gingers, traditional belief forbids their cultivation in the area of the house or its immediate surroundings. Instead, they are found in their natural environment, sometimes growing in specific places such as graveyards, which strengthen the belief in the magical virtues attributed to them.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong>
\nIn conclusion, although only a few varieties of ginger species are used in traditional Lao food, the ginger family is useful to society and is widely used in medicine, healing and also plays an important role in beliefs and in performing rituals.<\/p>\n

References<\/strong>
\nJules Vidal (1959). Noms vernaculaires de plantes (lao, m\u00e8o, kha) en usage au Laos<\/strong><\/em>. Bulletin de l\u2019Ecole Fran\u00e7aise d\u2019Extr\u00eame-Orient, t. 49, n\u00b0 2, 1959, p. 435-608.
\nJules Vidal (1960). Les Plantes utiles du Laos<\/em><\/strong>. Journal d\u2019agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliqu\u00e9e, vol. 7, n\u00b0 9-10, 1960, p. 417-440.<\/p>\n

Citation<\/strong>: Manisamouth Ratana Koumphon (2021). Traditional Uses of Zingiberaceae species in Lao Society. www.phakhaolao.la [Lao Agrobiodiversity Platform]. (date access xxxxxx).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","format":"standard","story-type":[124],"class_list":["post-4951","story","type-story","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","story-type-health"],"acf":{"pkl_story_headline":"We use Ginger and Galanga every day in Lao culture and traditional cooking","pkl_story_authors":"Manisamouth Ratana Koumphon","pkl_story_image":4956,"pkl_story_video":"","pkl_story_image_credits":"\u0e82\u0ec8\u0eb2\u0e95\u0eb2\u0ec1\u0e94\u0e87","pkl_story_file":null,"pkl_story_story_types":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/phakhaolao.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story\/4951","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/phakhaolao.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/phakhaolao.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/story"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/phakhaolao.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"story-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/phakhaolao.la\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story-type?post=4951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}