Alpinia purpurata (red ginger) holds cultural and practical value in Hawaiʻi and across Asia. In traditional Hawaiian practice, the stems are used to treat stomachaches and mashed rhizomes mixed with salt are applied for headaches, while its vibrant bracts are popular in lei making and its leaves yield a subtle yellow dye. In Indonesia, red ginger is especially prized in traditional jamu medicine for respiratory ailments, colds, and flu, and is also valued for its spicy flavor in cooking and beverages. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, demand surged and prices reportedly rose dramatically as people sought it as a natural health remedy, underscoring its enduring medicinal and economic importance.
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