[建] 蓬莪术

Zedoary \Zed"o*a*ry\, n. [F. z['e]doaire, LL. zedoaria; cf. It.
zedoaria, zettovario, Pg. zedoaria, Sp. zedoaria, cedoaria;
all fr. Ar. & Per. zedw?r.] (Med.)
A medicinal substance obtained in the East Indies, having a
fragrant smell, and a warm, bitter, aromatic taste. It is
used in medicine as a stimulant.

Note: It is the rhizome of different species of {Curcuma},
esp. {Curcuma zedoaria}, and comes in short, firm
pieces, externally of a wrinkled gray, ash-colored
appearance, but within of a brownish red color. There
are two kinds, round zedoary, and long zedoary.