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The Plant Behind the Oil: Plai

It is often mistaken for common ginger (Zingiber officinale) but has distinct characteristics, including its bluish-purple rhizome and more intense camphor-like aroma. Some might even call this plant “Ginger’s cooler cousin”. 
Shelia Murray

by Shelia Murray

The Plant Behind the Oil: Plai

Plai (Zingiber cassumunar) is a rhizomatous plant belonging to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. Known for its distinct aromatic and medicinal properties, Plai has been widely used in traditional and modern medicine, along with culinary and cosmetic applications.

It is often mistaken for common ginger (Zingiber officinale) but has distinct characteristics, including its bluish-purple rhizome and more intense camphor-like aroma. Some might even call this plant “Ginger’s cooler cousin”. 

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