Sotthi or Zedoary, Curcuma zedoaria

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Sotthi or Zedoary (Curcuma zedoaria, family: Zingiberaceae) is a perennial herb with underground tubers. It is the closest relative of Turmeric. Needless to say, the characteristics of the two are almost the same. The underground tuber or rhizome is Camphor-scented and white-colored, spreading like Ginger or Turmeric. It is native to South and Southeast Asia. It is found in the rural area, Sal forests and the foothills of hilly areas in Bangladesh.  
 

Other names: Shoti, Shuvodra, Shoumya, Polashika, Shugondhomula (Bang); White turmeric (Eng).


Leaves arise from the tubers. Leaves are glabrous, about1 m long, narrow at the petiole.


Flower blooms in spring-summer. At this time, when it rains a little, a fairy, quite long receptacle (inflorescence stick; about 50 cm long) come out from the rhizome. The bracts in receptacle are purplish and greenish. Although the whole receptacle looks like a flower, the flowers are actually quite small, bloom in the lap of bracts. These are funnel-shaped and yellow in color. It usually does not produce fruits. Propagation is caused by the division of tubers. 
Its rhizome is used to prepare medicine for skin diseases, fever, diarrhoea, worm, tumour and enlargement of the spleen.

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