Turmeric, Plai

Plai (Zingiber cassumunar)
Also known as: Thai Turmeric, Cassumunar Ginger, Bengal Ginger*

Plai is a lesser-known relative of culinary turmeric, prized in Southeast Asian herbal traditions for its powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and skin-healing properties. Native to Thailand, Laos, and surrounding regions, this rhizomatous perennial is used extensively in traditional Thai medicine for joint pain, inflammation, and muscle recovery. Its broad, lush foliage and showy inflorescences make it as ornamental as it is medicinal, and it thrives in warm, humid gardens or large containers in temperate climates.

Key Characteristics

• Potent Medicinal Rhizome for Pain & Inflammation
  Plai's rhizomes are traditionally used fresh or as an oil extract to relieve muscle and joint pain, sprains, and inflammation. Unlike culinary turmeric, Plai contains cassumunarin and essential oils that give it cooling, analgesic effects—ideal for external massage oils, poultices, and compresses. It's also valued in Thai postpartum care for abdominal massage and circulation support.

• Topical Use for Skin and Muscle Recovery
  Often infused in coconut oil or used in steamed compresses, Plai soothes sore muscles, bruises, and swelling. It's commonly used by massage therapists in Thai herbal compress therapy. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties also make it helpful in treating skin irritations.

• Ornamental and Lush Foliage with Tropical Appeal
  Broad, glossy green leaves emerge in spring and form dense clumps. In warm climates, Plai produces showy, pale lavender to pinkish bracts and cone-like floral spikes in summer (typically June–August). Though grown primarily for its rhizome, it also adds exotic beauty to gardens and patios.

• Grows Well in Warm, Moist Soil or Containers
  Like culinary turmeric and ginger, Plai thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soil with filtered sun or part shade. In zones 9–11, it can be grown as a perennial; in colder zones, grow it in containers and overwinter indoors. It benefits from warm temps, humidity, and regular water.

Product Details

• Native range: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia)
• Plant life cycle: Perennial in frost-free zones (grown as annual in cold climates)
• Sun requirements: Part shade to filtered sun
• Soil requirements: Medium to moist, rich, well-drained
• Mature height: 2–4 feet
• Bloom time: June to August
• Bloom color: Pale lavender to pinkish-purple bracts with yellow interior flowers
• USDA Hardiness zones: 9–11 (grow in containers in colder zones)

Plai is a tropical powerhouse for herbal first aid, massage therapy, and lush garden design. Easy to grow and deeply healing, it's a must-have for herbalists, massage therapists, and tropical plant lovers.