Cosmetics · Plant extracts
Gettō (Shell Ginger)
月桃 (Gettō)
Also known as: Alpinia zerumbet, Shell ginger, Sannin (Okinawan dialect)
At a glance
| Category | Cosmetics |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Alpinia Zerumbet Leaf Extract |
| Japanese labeling name | ゲットウ葉エキス |
| Common Japanese notations | 月桃, ゲットウ, サンニン (沖縄) |
| Origin | Plant-derived (leaves, seeds, and rhizomes of Alpinia zerumbet) |
| Typical functions | Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Skin conditioning |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Listed cosmetic ingredient. Traditional Okinawan food and aromatic use. |
Gettō (月桃), also known as shell ginger, is a tropical herb native to Okinawa with a long cultural history spanning food preservation, ceremonial use, and traditional medicine. Research at the University of the Ryukyus demonstrated notable antioxidant activity; the leaf oil and hydrosol are now used across skincare, aromatic water, and herbal tea lines developed by Okinawan producers.
Classification
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Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Facial toners
- Body lotions
- Aromatic waters
- Herbal teas
- Insect repellent
What it is
Alpinia zerumbet is a perennial in the Zingiberaceae family, native to the Ryukyu Islands and Amami. The aerial parts (leaves) and rhizomes yield different compound profiles: leaf extracts are rich in polyphenols (kaempferol derivatives, dihydro-5,6-dehydrokavain), while leaf oil contains 1,8-cineole, α-terpineol, and camphor notes.
Commercial forms include leaf water (hydrosol), essential oil, dried leaf for tea, and standardized leaf extract. Okinawan producers often market the ingredient within 'longevity' storytelling tied to Blue Zone research contexts.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Cosmetics: facial toners, hair rinses, aromatic waters, and body sprays. The scent bridges citrus-woody-herbaceous categories.
Food/beverage: herbal infusions and seasonings; traditional use includes wrapping mochi for preservation due to antifungal activity.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Accepted cosmetic ingredient under the labeling name ゲットウ葉エキス (for leaf extract forms).
Traditional food use; standard food safety law applies to food-grade preparations.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | CosIng-listed for cosmetic use; verify latest entry. |
|---|---|
| USA | Acceptable as a cosmetic ingredient under MoCRA; supplier documentation advised for novel food pathways. |
| China | Verify current IECIC entry; traditional cosmetic use in the Ryukyu region. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after ingredient list verification. Organic JAS certification is held by a subset of Okinawan producers.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Related ingredients
References
- University of the Ryukyus — Alpinia zerumbet research publications
- Okinawa Prefectural Superior Product catalog
Last updated: 2026-04-23. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.