Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
A rhizomatous perennial native to southern China and Vietnam.
Also known as: Alpinia oxyphylla
The listed part is ripe fruit. The spelling oxyphymma in one inventory cell is a spelling discrepancy, not an additional species. A photograph alone cannot certify a plant for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Documented inventory entry
ANSM List A records: ripe fruit. It inventories traditional use without specifying an indication, dose or clinical benefit here.
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
The following warnings do not constitute a complete review of interactions or contraindications. An unstudied combination cannot be considered compatible.
Contraindications & precautions
- Avoid if allergic to this plant. The sources for this profile do not provide a complete contraindication assessment.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions are not assessed in this profile: have any combination with medication checked.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- The selected sources do not establish the frequency of adverse effects.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Safety information is insufficient to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children & adolescents
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — Liste A, janvier 2026, page 3Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO / MPNS — Alpinia oxyphyllaAccessed on 09/10/2026
Image: Meneerke bloem · CC BY-SA 3.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.