Curcuma mangga (Curcuma mangga): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

What is Curcuma mangga used for?

Curcuma mangga is traditionally used in Southeast Asian folk medicine for digestive complaints and skin conditions. The young rhizomes are consumed raw as a nutritive food source and digestive tonic. Common applications include supporting healthy digestion and addressing minor skin ailments. These uses are based on traditional knowledge rather than extensive clinical research. Evidence level: C/Traditional.

How does Curcuma mangga work in the body?

Curcuma mangga contains flavonoids, terpenes, tannins, and starch as its primary active compounds. The flavonoids and terpenes are believed to contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may support its traditional digestive and skin applications. However, specific pharmacological mechanisms for this species have not been extensively studied in clinical settings. Evidence level: C.

What is the recommended dosage for Curcuma mangga?

Young rhizomes can be consumed raw as a food source without specific dosage restrictions. For therapeutic use as a tea, the traditional adult dosage is 3-5 grams of dried rhizome steeped in hot water, taken twice daily. Fresh rhizomes may be eaten freely as part of normal dietary intake. Evidence level: Traditional.

Is Curcuma mangga safe during pregnancy?

Curcuma mangga is considered safe during pregnancy when consumed in normal food amounts. The young rhizomes have been traditionally eaten as a food source in Southeast Asian cultures without reported adverse effects for pregnant women. However, concentrated extracts or therapeutic doses should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider before use during pregnancy. Evidence level: Traditional.

Does Curcuma mangga interact with any medications?

There are no well-documented drug interactions for Curcuma mangga in current scientific literature. As a member of the Zingiberaceae family, it may theoretically affect blood clotting. Patients taking anticoagulants, antiplatelet medications, or those with bleeding disorders should consult a healthcare provider before using concentrated preparations. Evidence level: C.

What are the side effects of Curcuma mangga?

Curcuma mangga is generally well-tolerated when consumed as food. Reported side effects are minimal and may include mild gastrointestinal upset in sensitive individuals. Those with known allergies to the Zingiberaceae family, which includes ginger and turmeric, should avoid this herb. No serious adverse effects have been documented in traditional use. Evidence level: Traditional.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Curcuma mangga, also known as mango ginger or white saffron, is a medicinal plant from the Zingiberaceae family with reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties [PMID:30910580, 33953771, 40937651].

Background

Curcuma mangga Val. is a rhizomatous perennial herb native to Indonesia and found in Malaysia and Thailand [PMID:33116951, 22083913, 33102197].

Traditional uses

Traditionally, the elixir of this plant has been used to treat gastric ulcers, chest pain, fever, skin diseases, womb healing, and to detoxify poisonous plants [PMID:30910580]. It is also used as a food, spice, and in cosmetics [PMID:33102197].

Active compounds

The plant contains curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin), diterpenes (such as curcumanggoside, zerumin A, and zerumin B), and phenolic compounds [PMID:30910580, 21629182, 16038556, 32995615]. Essential oils have been identified to contain caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllene [PMID:22305785], myrcene, and beta-pinene [PMID:22083913].

Mechanism of action

Anti-inflammatory effects are mediated through the downregulation of mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2 [PMID:21121245]. Hypoglycemic activity is associated with the modulation of GLUT4 and PPAR-gamma mRNA expression in adipocytes [PMID:33116951]. In prostate cancer cells, it inhibits growth by downregulating the 5alpha-reductase (5AR) pathway and androgen-receptor gene expressions [PMID:24944518].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DDiabetes

Oral administration of white saffron powder (4.5g) in STZ-induced diabetic rats reduced blood glucose and inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) while increasing insulin and SOD activity [PMID:36518402].

Evidence DInflammation and Pain

Ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg) significantly reduced writhing and prolonged latency time in mouse nociceptive models and reduced rat paw edema [PMID:19830513].

Evidence DImmune Response

Standardized extracts demonstrate immunomodulatory effects on cytokine gene expression and antibody production in Wistar rats [PMID:33953771].

Evidence DCancer (In Vitro)

Extracts showed cytotoxic effects against several human cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, KB, A549, Ca Ski, and HT-29, inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells [PMID:21629182, 26851779].

Evidence DHeavy Metal Exposure (Veterinary)

Administration of Mango Turmeric (0.06% body weight) in dairy cows significantly reduced lead (Pb) levels in produced milk [PMID:24511750].

Safety & adverse effects

In Wistar rats, ethanol extracts at doses of 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg bw administered during gestation reduced litter length and exhibited teratogenic effects [PMID:34631499].

Pregnancy & lactation

C. mangga has teratogenic effects in Wistar rats and should be used with caution in pregnancy [PMID:34631499].

Evidence summary

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell studies and in vivo animal models (predominantly rats and mice), indicating significant pharmacological potential, but there is a lack of human clinical trials.

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 24511750 (2013) — Analysis of heavy metal lead (Pb) levels with Aas in cow's milk by giving cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.), white turmeric (Curcuma zedoaria Rosc.) and mango turmeric (Curcuma mangga Val.). · Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2.PMID: 30910580 (2019) — Anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of cream containing Curcuma mangga extract. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 33953771 (2021) — Immunomodulatory effects of standardized extract of Curcuma mangga val. on cytokines, antibody and delayed-type hypersensitivity response in Wistar rats. · Research in pharmaceutical sciences
4.PMID: 34631499 (2021) — Teratogenic effects of ethanol extract of Curcuma mangga Val. rhizomes in wistar rats. · Toxicological research
5.PMID: 32995615 (2020) — Cosmeceutical potentials of Curcuma mangga Val. extract in human BJ fibroblasts against MMP1, MMP3, and MMP13.

Curcuma mangga

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Curcuma mangga

Temulawak

Ixbut

Ocotea bullata

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Pregnancy & lactation

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Curcuma mangga

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Curcuma mangga

Related Herbs

Temulawak

Ixbut

Ocotea bullata

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Pregnancy & lactation

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources