Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. is a medicinal plant which contains volatile oils known for its effectiveness in anti-inflammatory activity. It is propagated vegetatively by rhizomes. However, rhizomes in storage are susceptible to pathogens causing limited supplies for high - quality rhizomes. The quality of volatile oil obtained from the rhizomes also varies with plant age. Therefore, a method which could produce pathogen - free plants of the same age with high-quality volatile oil would provide a substantial supply of volatile oil for pharmaceutical industries. This paper reports the use of micropropagation as an alternative method in producing large number of pathogen - free plants.In many countries, Zingiber is widely used in traditional remedies as a single plant or as a component of herbal recipes. The extract, from the rhizome of the plant, pictured on the right, has been used topically for centuries for the treatment of sprains, contusions, joint inflammations, muscular pain, abscesses and similar inflammation-related disorders. Now, ZingiberRx Joint and Muscle Cream, containing Zingiber cassumunar essential oil and powder is available in North America. Formulation scientists have discovered a distillation process to effectively extract the essential oils by using a little known cold press essential oil extraction. Zingiber essential oils are extracted from the rhizome and formulated into an effective, fast-absorbing, deep-penetrating joint and muscle cream. One research study* concludes the essential oil of Zingiber cassumunar found in ZingiberRx inhibits the cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) enzyme, which is known to play a central role in inflammatory diseases and pain. This mechanism of action is the basis of the effectiveness and worldwide success of the Cox-2 inhibitors, which are systemic prescription medications used to treat arthritis pain and inflammation.
