The benefits of kencur have long been known by the Indonesian people as one of the traditional medicines that are good for the health of the body. This herbaceous plant which is often consumed as herbal medicine or cooking spice is even said to have benefits that can compete with modern medicines.
Aromatic ginger (Kaempferia galanga) is a herbaceous plant that has a unique aroma and taste. This plant grows a lot in Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Plants that are still classified as relatives of ginger (Zingiberaceae) It has been known for a long time as a traditional medicinal plant.
Kencur Nutrition Content
The variety of benefits offered by kencur certainly cannot be separated from the nutritional content in it. The following are some of the nutritional content of kencur which makes it rich in benefits and good for body health:
- Protein
- Fiber
- Minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, selenium, and zinc
- Vitamins, including vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin K, and folate.
In addition, kencur also contains essential oils and compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-pain properties.
Benefits of Kencur for Health
The benefits of kencur you can find in the leaves and rhizomes. The leaves and rhizomes of kencur can be used to treat dandruff and pain, such as headaches, toothaches, and stomach aches.
Not only as a herbal medicine, kencur has also been widely used as a mixture in shampoo, vinegar, powder, and aromatherapy products.
In Indonesia itself, kencur has been used for generations as an ingredient to make herbal medicine, such as kencur rice, which is made from a mixture of rice, kencur, tamarind, and brown sugar.
In addition, there are several benefits of kencur for health that are not inferior to modern medicines, including:
1. Prevent cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells due to changes in genetic traits or gene mutations. If not treated early, cancer can spread to other tissues in the body and become more difficult to treat (metastasize).
Various studies show that kencur contains compounds that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Therefore, kencur is good for you to consume to prevent cancer.
2. Lowering blood pressure
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition when blood pressure reaches 140/90 mmHg or more. This condition forces the heart to pump blood harder throughout the body, thereby increasing the risk of certain diseases such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney damage.
Kencur has long been used to treat hypertension. Various studies also support these findings because kencur contains potassium, antioxidants, and compounds that are diuretic.
The content in kencur is known to lower blood pressure and keep it stable. Kencur is also good consumed to improve blood circulation.
3. Eradicate disease-causing bacteria
Kencur extract is known to contain essential oils that are antibacterial. Some research shows that the antibacterial content of kencur can eradicate germs on the skin, teeth and gums, as well as the respiratory tract. The benefits of kencur are even believed to be able to kill germs Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes of tuberculosis.
However, so far this research has been limited to laboratory trials. Therefore, the effectiveness and safety level of kencur as a drug to treat infectious diseases still needs to be studied further.
4. Relieves pain and inflammation
Kencur contains substances that are anti-pain and anti-inflammatory. When the body experiences inflammation or pain, you can use kencur to relieve it. The benefits of this kencur have been known for a long time, so it is commonly used to relieve pain from headaches, toothaches, and arthritis.
5. Fight free radicals
Kencur is one of the herbal plants that is rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids. This content is known to be able to ward off cell damage due to exposure to free radicals from cigarette smoke or pollution.
Not only good for maintaining a healthy body, the antioxidant flavonoid content in kencur is also useful for reducing inflammation and preventing cancer.
6. Reduce stress
Kencur is also known as a plant that can have a calming effect on the mind and relieve anxiety and stress. You can get this effect if you consume kencur stems and leaves as herbal medicine, supplements, or aromatherapy.
In addition to providing the various benefits above, kencur is also known to be useful for strengthening the immune system and overcoming constipation.
You can get various benefits of kencur if you consume it in the form of herbs or supplements. However, kencur should not be consumed in excess, especially if you have a disease or are undergoing certain medications.
Therefore, to be safer, you should consult a doctor first if you want to take kencur as a herbal medicine or supplement.