In its growth, rhizome jeringau forming branches to the right or left. Number of branches is determined by soil fertility. Rhizome jeringau in a fresh condition about the size of your little finger to the size of your thumb, it is white but if on the dry pink.
Rhizome form round-shaped plot somewhat segmented, with segments 1-3 cm long, the side roots rather sharpened sticks, the more grooved where the new branches shoot out. Many long surrounded root fibers. Most of these roots grow at the bottom of the root trunk. When the plant is more than 2 years, its roots can reach 60-70 cm.
The smell was overpowering root (hard) like the smell of spices or other seasonings. If placed on the tongue feels a sharp, spicy and slightly bitter but not hot. If the roots are crushed smell will come out even harder because jeringau rhizome contain essential oil.
Rhizome jeringau contain valuable oil versatile as an ingredient in food and beverage industry, flavoring, fragrances, detergents, soap and beauty cream. Jeringau also be used as a biological insecticide using the root (rhizome), because they contain essential oils.
Rhizome jeringau efficacious as a sedative, a drug the stomach, spleen drug, cosmetic raw materials, insecticides, puerperal fever, antifungal, antibacterial, anthelmintic, antidiarrheal, antiulkus, antisekretori, sitoprotektif, anticonvulsants, antihepatotoksik, antioxidants, allelopathic, anticellular and immunosuppressive.
The content of the most important chemicals in the rhizome jeringau is essential oil. High or low quality essential oils depending on region of origin jeringau. Jeringau rhizome contains essential oils, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, sugars, choline, starch. Jeringau rhizome oil composition consisting of asarone (82%), kolamenol (5%), kolamen (4%), kolameone (1%), methyl eugenol (1%), and eugenol (0.3%).