Zingiberaceae and their Traditional Uses in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India: A Review

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a geographically isolated archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, harbour exceptional tropical biodiversity, including a remarkable diversity of Zingiberaceae (the ginger family). This archipelago serves as a phytogeographic meeting ground for Indo-Malayan and Southeast Asian floral elements, yielding a unique setting for the evolution and utilisation of the ginger family. The present review consolidates and synthesises existing ethnobotanical and pharmacological knowledge on Zingiberaceae recorded from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with particular attention to traditional uses among indigenous tribes, including the Jarawa, Onge, Shompen, Nicobarese, Great Andamanese, and Karen communities. Several genera—including Zingiber, Curcuma, Alpinia, Etlingera, Amomum, Hedychium, and Plagiostachys—have been documented in the islands, with some taxa representing narrow endemics of exceptional biogeographic significance. Key species such as Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Alpinia galanga, and the endemic Etlingera fenzlii have prominent roles in tribal healthcare systems, serving as anti-inflammatory, digestive, antipyretic, antimicrobial, and wound-healing agents. The case of E. fenzlii, used exclusively by the Shompen as a bee repellent and for various ailments, represents a singularly compelling illustration of the intersection of island endemism and traditional ecological knowledge. Pharmacological studies have broadly validated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and larvicidal activities in several documented species. Despite this ethnobotanical richness, comprehensive documentation of Zingiberaceae traditional uses in the archipelago remains fragmented, and endemic taxa face threats from habitat loss, natural disasters, and erosion of traditional knowledge. This review underscores the urgent need for systematic ethnobotanical surveys, pharmacological validation, and conservation strategies for Zingiberaceous biodiversity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.