What is it?
An extract of the rhizome (underground stem) of spiked ginger lily, Hedychium spicatum, a tall perennial in the ginger family found across India and neighboring countries, typically at 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Known in India as kapur kachri, the fragrant rhizome is used in traditional medicine, as a spice and in abir, the scented colored powder used during Holi. In cosmetics the extract is listed as a skin-conditioning ingredient.
Key information
- Spiked ginger lily rhizome is used in traditional Indian medicine, as a spice and in the aromatic abir powder used during Holi.
- Its essential oil is rich in 1,8-cineole, alpha-cadinol and elemol.
- Water and alcohol extracts of the rhizome caused no signs of toxicity in mice given 2,000 mg/kg by mouth.
- We found no cosmetic safety review or skin testing of the extract.
More information
The rhizomes have a strong aromatic odor and bitter taste. Known as shati in the classical Ayurvedic texts, they have been used in Indian traditional medicine and, according to a 2012 study, also to perfume tobacco and as an insect repellent. Their scent comes from an essential oil: in a 2024 study, the main components were 1,8-cineole (about 15 to 54 percent, depending on how the rhizomes were dried), alpha-cadinol and elemol.
Safety data are limited. The extract is not among the ingredients reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), and we found no published skin irritation or allergy tests of it. In the 2012 study, water and alcohol extracts of the dried rhizome given by mouth to mice at 2,000 mg/kg, about 10 times the effective dose used in that study, caused no signs of toxicity such as convulsions, coma or death. That is reassuring about the plant in general but says little about skin contact.
On labels, look for Hedychium Spicatum Extract. Because the evidence rests mainly on traditional use and an oral animal study rather than skin testing, this is one of the less-studied botanicals in cosmetics.
Sources: Ancient Science of Life (2012): Pharmacological evaluation of extracts of Hedychium spicatum rhizome; Scientific Reports (2024): Effect of drying conditions on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Hedychium spicatum rhizome essential oil; CIR: Quick Reference Table of ingredient findings (December 2025)