Rhizome of Curcuma phaeocaulis Ovoid elongate ovoid, conical of elongate fusiform, frequently apex obtuse, base obtuse and rounded, 2~8 cm long, 1.5~4 cm in diameter. Externally grayish-yellow to grayish-brown, the upper part conspicuously raised-annulated and with rounded and slightly dented rootlet scars, or remaining rootlets some exhibiting a row of concave bud scars and subrounded lateral rhizome scars on two sides, respectively, and showing knife cut traces. Heavy, texture hard, fracture grayish-brown to bluish-brown, waxy, usually attached with grayish-brown powder, bark and stele easily detachable, endodermal ring deep brown. Odour, slight aromatic; taste, slight bitter and pungent.

Rhizome of Curcuma kwangsiensis Slightly raised-annulated, fracture yellowish-brown to brown, usually attached with pale yellow powder, endodermal ring yellowish-white.

Rhizome of Curcuma wenyujin Fracture yellowish-brown to dark brown, usually attached with pale yellow to yellowish-brown powder. Odour aromatic or slightly aromatic.

Mass in the abdomen, amenorrhea due to blood stasis; distension and pain due to stagnation of undigested food; carcinoma of cervix at early stage.

1. Promoting flow of Qi and removing blood stasis

This drug can be used to treat amenorrhea, abdominal masses, etc. Which are due to stasis of blood. It is often used in combination with Rhizoma Sparganii, Rhizome Lgustici Chuanxiong, etc. In treating the enlargement of the liver and spleen, it is often used in combination with rhizome Sparganii, Flos Carthami, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Rhizoma Cyperi, etc. in treating traumatic injury, the fresh rhizome of the drug can be pounded into paste, mixed with wine, parched and then applied to the local area while the drug is still hot.

2. Removing food stagnancy to relieve pain

This drug can be used to treat stagnation of food, distention and pain of the chest and abdomen, vomiting with sour fluid, etc. It is often used in combination with Rhizoma Sparganii, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride, Fructus Setariae Germinatus, etc.

Besides, the drug is also used to treat cancerous tumour nowadays.In treating carcinoma of uterine cermix, 10~30 ML. Of the liquid medicine made from the drug can be injected into the local area daily, and this treatment should last for about 3 months(a course of treatment). At the same time, the decoction made from 10 g of Rhizoma Zedoariae and 10 g of Rhizoma Sparganii(both parched with vinegar) can be taken orally twice a day(befor breakfast and after supper). As another treatment, the volatile oil ointment made from the drug can be applied to the local area. The above methods of treatment are also effective for carcinoma of vulva and skin.