Etlingera elatior - Torch Ginger (Bunga Kantan / Bunga Siantan)
This showy pink flower, originated from Malaysia, is a popular ingredient that enhances the aroma and taste of the dishes.  The tender young bud is normally used for cooking  such as laksa and thinly sliced if used raw such as in salad or nasi ulam. The distinct smell of these herb is truly appetizing and yummy. I like to put it in my nasi goreng.

Other benefits of bunga kantan include:
 1. Help men's sexual energy (tenaga batin)
2. Treatment for gout
3. Ageless treatment (Awet Muda) - it's high in antioxidant
4. Treatment of cut
5. Eliminate body odour (can used by
6. Improve appetite (use the seed)
7. Ear treatment
8. Treatment of any swelling

 This lovely pink flower is also used in ornament arragangement such as ikabena. There also other colour variations of these flowering species. There is also a village in Kajang named after these plant - Kg Sg Kantan because of the plant grows endemically there.