Botanical name : Zingiber cssumunar Roxb.
Family name : ZINGIBERACEAE
Thai name : Plai, Wan-fai, Poo-loey

Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. Is commonly knowns as “Plai” in Thailand. Its rhizomes are used for flavoring in cooking. The species has been described as growing in India , the fresh rhizomes being 1-2 in diameter with a scaly epidermis and light-brown in color, the inside being rich golden yellow. The odor is reported as strong and reminiscent of a mixture of ginger, camphor and turmeric, the taste is hot and camphoraceous.

Plai has long been regarded by Thai massage therapists as one of those oils necessary to have in their kit to combat joint and muscle problems. It has also long been used as an embrocation in traditional Thai medicine. Plai is of the same family as ginger, but has different properties and more intense actions