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Phnom Kulen black ginger

Black Ginger species (Kaempferia parviflora) has always grown wildly in the Phnom Kulen. It is a herbaceous plant in the family Zingiberaceae, native to Phnom Kulen. Kaempferia parviflora is a short-lived ginger plant with dark purple rhizome (type of root). Round to oval medium green leaves sprout out of the rhizome with a height of about 30 to 40 cm.

Bracts surround the flower clusters and from the shady middle grow white calyx with purple coloring. The flowers start growing at the beginning of spring. Black Ginger has been the subject of increased scientific interest in recent years. Since this species has been degraded in the wild, the locals started to grow it in their home gardens. Black Ginger is an important plant in traditional medicine for several treatments as well as food supplements.

Black ginger is a plant whose blackish root is bitter, with a gentle spice and aroma. Black ginger has been used as a vitalizing and stimulating herb for centuries and is known in Southeast Asia and well-known in Thailand as so called Black Ginger or Thai Ginseng. In Khmer language, this Black Ginger is called Pratel Thleum Chhke.

Black ginger is preferred by the villagers to plant as secondary crop and can be grown in a half shade area, i.e. it can be interplanted between fruit trees. The villagers sell black ginger in raw form to traders and consumers at a low price, as they do not have the knowledge for processing and better market linkages. To support farmers with better ginger cultivation, processing and market linkage, the biodiversity-based products (BBP) value chain project supported by the German Government through GIZ, is implemented by GFA Consulting Group in collaboration with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) at regional level and the Ministry of Environment in Cambodia. The Cambodia-BBP project supports the villagers in Anlong Thom & Thmor Chrunh villages on Black Ginger value chain development for additional income generation and enhanced biodiversity protection around Phnom Kulen National Park. The group members cultivate the black ginger in their home gardens between cashew trees, coconut trees, mangoes, lychee, etc.

Black Ginger Tea

black ginger tea

The BBP project supports the whole black ginger value chain, from cultivation and harvesting, to processing, packaging, labeling, and marketing. For example, the black ginger rhizomes can be processed as tea by selling them to a professional tea producer –a market linkage that is currently being explored.

15 Health Benefits of Black Ginger that You Probably Don't Know

1. Regulates blood circulation
2. Increase energy
3. Strengthen body & power
4. Creates nerve stimulus
5. Stimulates testosterone production
6. Enhancing male sexual functions
7. Prolongs erection duration
8. Nourishes the prostate gland
9. Treats high blood pressure
10. Diabetes
11. Heart disease
12. Reduce triglyceride
13. Anti-allergic & inflammatory
14. Antioxidant effects
15. Anti-obesity effects