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Life sciences · Review
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine · October 23, 2026
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Background: Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex Baker is a medicinal plant used by many people in Southeast Asia‚ especially Thailand․ Its rhizome has been used in Asian traditional medicine for gastrointestinal tract disorders and allergic disorders‚ as an aphrodisiac‚ and as a body tonic‚ similar to the use of ginseng‚ hence its common name Thai ginseng. In recent years‚ research interest in this plant has strengthened due to its claimed antioxidant‚ anti-inflammatory‚ anti-obesity‚ anticancer‚ antimicrobial‚ and vascular-relaxing properties. Methods: This systematized narrative review summarizes the phytochemistry‚ pharmacological effects‚ molecular mechanisms‚ and clinical applications of K․ parviflora from published studies between 2016 and 2026․ An electronic search of PubMed‚ Scopus‚ and Web of Science was conducted․ Articles were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the study-selection process was documented using a PRISMA-style flow diagram to enhance transparency. A total of 62 articles were included. Results: The rhizomes contain the polymethoxyflavones 5‚7-dimethoxyflavone‚ 5‚7‚4′-trimethoxyflavone‚ and 3‚5‚7‚3′‚4′-pentamethoxyflavone‚ anthocyanins‚ carotenoids‚ phytosterols‚ and essential oils․ Preclinical studies have shown ingredients of the rhizomes with antioxidant (Nrf2/ARE activation)‚ anti-inflammatory (inhibition of NF-κB‚ COX-2‚ and iNOS)‚ anticancer (induction of apoptosis‚ anti-austerity‚ and PI3K/AKT-MAPK inhibition)‚ antimicrobial‚ neuroprotective (cholinesterase inhibition and anti-amyloid effects)‚ and metabolic effects․ Vasoactive effects are mediated by the NO-cGMP pathway‚ K⁺ efflux and inhibition of Ca²⁺ influx․ In humans‚ Vasoactive effects have been accompanied by improved erectile function and cardiorespiratory response‚ with adverse effects rarely seen and not severe‚ even at doses of up to a maximum of 1․35 g/day․ Nevertheless‚ the evidence base is relatively weak due to small sample sizes․ Conclusions: Black ginger shows promise as a potential source of bioactive polymethoxyflavones as nutraceuticals and pharmacological agents‚ although difficulties remain in overcoming low oral bioavailability of methoxyflavones and the lack of large clinical trials over an extended period․