TEMU LAWAK

EDIBLE RHIZOMES: The rhizomes, when properly prepared, are delicious. They are somewhat bitter tasting, and for this reason, sugar is usually added. It is sweet-tasting as well. [10] It is the most commonly eaten Curcuma in Malaysia, where the rhizome starch is made into “porridge or pudding-like delicacies.” “A sweet-flavored soft drink, called 'bir temu lawak', is prepared by cooking dried pieces of rhizomes in water and adding sugar.”  The rhizome powder is added to food products, yogurt, chewing gum, etc. [8]
EDIBLE INNER STEM, RHIZOME TIPS, AND INFLORESCENCES: The  stem  heart  is  eaten  raw  and  the  inflorescences  are  cooked  and  eaten.  Rhizome tips and stem hearts are eaten raw. “The young growing stems and rhizome parts are eaten as a vegetable either raw or cooked.” [2]  Inflorescences are cooked and served with rice.
MEDICINAL RHIZOMES: Plant resources of Southeast Asia lists many of its medicinal uses. Anti-inflammatory, fever, constipation, rectum inflammation, hemorrhoids, dysentery, bloody diarrhea, stomach disorders caused by colds, etc.  Externally for infected wounds, skin eruptions, acne, eczema, etc. [2] "Javanese Turmeric contains substances that might stimulate the production of bile." [14]
IN INDONESIAN MEDICINE: “Temulawak can be said as the heart of traditional medicines, 70 percent of jamu sellers use Temu Lawak,” Charles Saerang, chief director of PT Njonja Meneer, one of the biggest Jamu producers in Indonesia, said to VivaNews." [10] The rhizomes are an important ingredient into many 'jamus' (traditional Indonesian medicinal preparations).”  “An important herb in traditional Indonesian medicine, it is harvested from the wild and is also commonly cultivated, mainly on a garden scale, in Java, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, occasionally also in India.”  
—They are said to be: 
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY 

—CHOLAGOGUE 

—FEBRIFUGE 

—GALACTAGOGUE  

—LAXATIVE 

—A decoction of the rhizome is also used as a remedy for: 
FEVER 

—CONSTIPATION 

—Taken by women to LESSEN UTERINE INFLAMMATION AFTER GIVING BIRTH 

—Other applications are against: 
BLOODY DIARRHEA 

—DYSENTERY 
DYSPEPSIA 

—INFLAMMATION OF THE RECTUM 

—HEMORRHOIDS 

—STOMACH DISORDERS CAUSED BY COLD 

—INFECTED WOUNDS 

—SKIN ERUPTIONS 

—ACNE VULGARIS 

—ECZEMA 

—SMALLPOX 

—ANOREXIA
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: "The rhizome contains an ethereal oil (5ml per kg), it primarily consists of Sesquiterpenes. There is also a content of Curcumin (at least 1%, Ph. Eur.) and starch." [15] 

AS A DYE: It is used as a natural dye. [8]
TOOTHPASTE: It is added to toothpaste. [8]
COSMETIC USES: It is used in cosmetics and spa products. [8]
OTHER USES: In foods, medical products, household cleaning agents, etc. [8]
DR. RINAWATI: —Dr. Dewi Rinawati, of South Korea, is a doctor of cosmetology who founded a small cottage industry in 1997 named Vitaher in Indonesia. Along with professors from Yonsei University in South Korea, they worked together researching Temu Lawak, Curcuma zanthorrhiza, which has been used traditionally in Java and Bali.
印尼莪术 yin ni e zhu
MITICIDE: "According to one source it is an effective deterrent and pesticide of mushroom mites." [16] 

—“The process of making this drink produces alcohol” The fermentation process “turns alcohol content up to 5 percent.”  When Malaysians want to make it to hold to pure Halal standards, they control the alcohol content to up to just 1 percent. 

—RECIPE 

—Temulawak 100 grams 

—Ginger [100 grams?]

—Sugar  230 grams

—Water 3 liters 

—Lemon/Lime 1 piece 

—Bread yeast ½ crushed tablet [¼ tsp.]

—HOW TO MAKE 

—1. Temulawak: Fresh rhizomes, cut large, take a hammer and crush. 

—2. Ginger, washed, peeled and grated. 

—3. Lemon/Lime: Squeeze with a lemon squeezer. 

—Add crushed temulawak, grated ginger, sugar, and water to a saucepan.  

—Heat the mixture to the boiling point and let sit until luke warm. 

—Add yeast, close jar. 

—Keep at room temperature for 24 hours. 

—Finely strain into a plastic jar that allows excess pressure to escape. It is usually ready in 12 hours. 

Consume soon after this or keep in the refrigerator and consume within 24 hours.  
Drink cold. 

NATIVE TO: India, Vietnam, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia (more specifically Java), peninsular Malaysia. Flora of China also lists it from southern Yunnan, China.
HABITAT: In the wild: "Thickets and teak forest, mainly on moist, fertile, humus-rich soils, at elevations up to 750 metres." [2]
DESCRIPTION: This species develops very large, rounded rhizomes in large clusters.
- INFLORESCENCE: The terminal bracts have a deep pink color, while the lower are greenish-white.
- RHIZOMES: Very large, thick, to 4” long, with golden skin and deep orange to deep orange-red flesh.
SIMILAR SPECIES: "This species bears a striking similarity to Cape York Turmeric, Curcuma australasica. It differs in that the flower bracts are a deeper pink/purple colour as is the dark strip that runs up the centre of the leaf." [9]
CULTURE: Being such a recent import to the Unites States, we have much to learn about its requirements for optimal growth. Please let me know if you are growing this species, and what your experience is with it. I will do the same as I learn.
- HARDINESS: I am guessing that it is rhizome hardy across the state. We shall see, as it might end up only doing well in the southern part of the state.