Plai root (Zingiber cassumunar Roxburgh and actually a rhizome to be technically correct) is a perennial, tuberous, with long, white, fleshy fibres, and jointed like ginger, but much larger.It is closely related to Galangal

When fresh, it is a deep yellow; possessing a strong, not very agreeable, camphoraceous smell, and warm, spicy, bitterish taste,” (Roxburgh.) Sir Joseph Banks and Dr. Comb (to whom specimens of it were given) thought that it was the true cassumunar of the shops. The dried root is often confused with its cousin, Curcuma longa (Turmeric) as it looks so similar and it is sometimes known as Cassumunar root and in other SE Asian countries as Ponlei. It is also known by a variety of other names around the world such as Bengal ginger, Bengal root, and  Thai ginger

Reported Attributes of Plai Essential Oil:-

Traditional and Emotional uses reportedly include:-

Plai essential oil is considered and essential in any Thai massage box as one in which to combat and relieve joint and muscle aches. Plai is of the same family as ginger but has different properties and more intense actions. It is anti microbial. anti inflammatory, anti bacterial and an analgesic.

Constituents of Plai Essential Oil:-

The plant also contains the essential oils sabinene 31-48%, terpineol 4-30%, and unique curcuminoid antioxidants, namely cassumunarin types A, B, and C