# Kachura

> Kachura (Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Zingiberaceae family. Not in specific WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in Japanese, Chinese, and Thai traditional pharmacopeias.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe
- **Family:** Zingiberaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not in specific WHO monographs; listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; recognized in Japanese, Chinese, and Thai traditional pharmacopeias

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Kachura |
| Latin/Botanical | *Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Curcumin](/herb/curcumin/) and curcuminoids
- Curcuzedoalide (unique sesquiterpenoid)
- [Germacrone](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#germacrone) (sesquiterpenoid)
- Essential oil (4%): [cineole](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cineole), [camphor](/herb/camphor/), alpha-pinene, beta-pinene
- Zedoarone and [furanodienone](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#furanodienone)
- [Starch](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#starch), gums, and arabin

## How does it work?

- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activity via curcuzedoalide-mediated apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest in gastric cancer cell lines
- [Cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) effects through germacrone-mediated attenuation of oxidative stress, NF-kB-driven inflammation, and anti-apoptotic pathway activation
- Anti-inflammatory mechanism via [curcumin](/herb/curcumin/)-mediated inhibition of COX-2, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity through essential oil disruption of microbial cell membranes affecting Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, and Klebsiella pneumoniae

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Digestive stimulant and carminative (Deepana) - validated through studies confirming carminative and digestive enzyme stimulation
- Anti-flatulence (Anulomana) - confirmed through [antispasmodic](/glossary/pharmacology/#antispasmodic) activity on gastrointestinal smooth muscle
- Anti-cancer adjunct (Arbuda-hara) - validated through multiple studies showing antiproliferative activity against gastric, ovarian, and breast cancer cells
- Anti-inflammatory (Shotha-hara) - confirmed through [curcumin](/herb/curcumin/) and germacrone-mediated anti-inflammatory pathways

## What do recent clinical trials show?



*3 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Generally safe at recommended culinary and therapeutic doses; may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in sensitive individuals
- Not recommended during pregnancy (traditional emmenagogue and uterine stimulant); may potentiate the effects of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Curcumin
- Germacrone
- Cineole
- Camphor
- Furanodienone
- Starch
- Curcuzedoalide 
- Essential oil 

**Analytical Methods:** HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (rhizome powder), Capsule, Tablet, Essential oil, Taila (medicated oil), Lepa (paste)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g rhizome powder twice daily; 250-500mg extract; 3-5 drops essential oil (external); paste as needed externally

**Bioavailability:** Curcuma zedoaria (white [turmeric](/herb/turmeric/)/zedoary) rhizome contains sesquiterpenes ([curzerenone](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#curzerenone), curzerene, germacrone) and curcuminoids (in lower amounts than C. longa). Sesquiterpenes have moderate oral bioavailability with lipophilic absorption. Germacrone shows reasonable GI absorption. Essential oil components absorbed well via inhalation and transdermal routes. Co-administration with [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) or lipids enhances absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Before or after meals with warm water; external paste as needed

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil standardized to curzerenone (>15%) and germacrone (>10%); hydroalcoholic extract with HPTLC fingerprint matching reference standard

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (rhizome powder); 3 years (essential oil, sealed); 3 years (capsule/tablet)

**Storage:** Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from light. Essential oil in amber glass. Powder in airtight containers to preserve volatile content.

**Marker Compounds:** Curzerenone, Curzerene, Germacrone, Furanodienone, [Curdione](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#curdione), Dehydrocurdione, Zederone, [Curcumenol](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#curcumenol)

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation (essential oil, 1-2.5% yield)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for sesquiterpene-enriched fraction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol:water)
- Aqueous extraction
- Traditional processing in sesame/[coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) for Taila

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (turmeric) for enhanced anti-inflammatory action
- With Sunthi ([ginger](/herb/ginger/)) for digestive and anti-emetic synergy
- With Pippali for bioavailability enhancement
- With [Guggulu](/formulation/guggulu/) for anti-arthritic formulations

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/kachura/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.