Torch ginger originates from Indonesia, Malaysia, and southern Thailand, and is now widespread in India, Singapore, New Guinea, and Australia. It has long been known in Indonesia as an ornamental plant, a flavor enhancer, and a traditional medicine. Traditionally, the fruit is used to treat earaches, and the leaves are used to clean wounds.

Generally grows in the lowlands of wet tropical areas and can be found at altitudes up to 2,700 m above sea level. Likes moist, well-drained soil with rainfall of 2,355 mm/yr, temperature of 19.8-26.2 °C.

• The rhizome is thick, creamy-pink when young.

• The pseudostem is round, large at the base, and grows in clumps.

• The leaves, 15-30, are arranged in two rows, alternate, oval, with wavy edges and short, pointed tips, and glossy green.

• The flowers are top-shaped, on long stalks, with oblong, pink bracts.

• The fruit is borne in a nearly round, finely hairy, red corm.

• The seeds are numerous, blackish-brown, and covered in a seed coat (arylus).

• Propagation is carried out generatively (from seeds) or vegetatively (from rhizomes or by separating shoots). Seeds are obtained from ripe fruit, which is indicated by the fruit starting to wilt.

Antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, treats body odor and various skin problems, increases breast milk production, increases appetite, prevents and treats anemia, treats earache, cleans wounds.

Saponin, flavonoid (kaempferol dan kuersetin), polifenol, minyak atsiri, anthraquinone, tanin, chloragenic acid, caffeoylquinic acids.