The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s25.t2.8

c5.s25.t2.8

CURCUMA ZEDOARIA, *Roscoe.* *Syn. C. Zerumbet, Roxb.* *Sans.* शठी, *Saṭi, Vern. Saṭi, Beng. Kachur, Hind.* The rhizomes of this plant possess an agreeable camphoraceous smell and warm, bitterish, spicy taste. They are considered carminative and useful in fever and skin diseases arising from impure or deranged blood. They are generally used in combination with other medicines as also in the preparation of medicated oils. “The dry root powdered and mixed with the powdered wood of the *Caesalpinia Sappan* makes the red powder called *ábir* by the Hindustanis, and *phág* by the Bengalis. It is copiously thrown about by the natives during the *Huli* or Hindu holidays in the month of March.”