Family: Zingiberaceae
Synonym: Languas officinarum (Hance) Farw.
- English: Lesser Galanga
- Chinese: 高良姜
- Finnish: Pikkukalangajuuri
- German: Siam-Ingwer
- Swedish: Galangarot
- Thai: Khaa-ling
- Vietnamese: Mot loai gung
- Thai: khaa lek
- Kulanjana, Sthuulagranthi, Sugandhaa, Ugragandhaa, Malaya Vachaa, Mahaabhari Vachaa.
Description: Rhizomes elongate, terete. Pseudostems 40--110 cm. Leaves sessile; ligule lanceolate, entire, 2--3(--5) cm, membranous; leaf blade linear, 20--30 × 1.2--2.5 cm, glabrous, base attenuate, apex caudate. Racemes erect, 6--10 cm; rachis tomentose; bracteoles very small, less than 1 cm. Pedicel 1--2 mm. Calyx 8--10 cm, puberulent, apex 3-toothed. Corolla tube slightly shorter than calyx; lobes oblong, ca. 1.5 cm, central one hoodlike. Labellum white with red streaks, ovate, ca. 2 cm. Filament ca. 1 cm; anther ca. 6 mm. Ovary tomentose. Capsule red, globose, ca. 1 cm in diam. Fl. Apr--Sep, fr. May--Nov. 2 n = 48
A. officinarum looks similar to A. galanga, but it is smaller in stature
Galangal is used in Thai medicine in a very similar way to ginger. Ginger is considered to be a superior herb, but galangal is more common in Thailand. As a hot herb, the galangal rhizome has a stimulating effect on the digestion, and is therefore useful in cases of indigestion, flatulence, and stomachache. It is also recommended for diarrhoea, nausea, and seasickness. Galangal is reputed to be an aphrodisiac, although this is probably due to its general stimulating effect on the Fire element. Preparation: Decoction from one “thumb-length” (or about 5 grams) fresh galangal, finely chopped, grated, or mashed with mortar and pestle. Boil 10–15 minutes; drink after meals. Topical Application: Galangal has an antiseptic action similar to ginger and may be used topically for bacterial and fungal skin infections, acne, mosquito bites, bee stings, other insect bites, and as a gargle for mouth sores. A. nigra is used for treatment of ringworm and other skin parasites. Preparation: Mash fresh galangal with mortar and pestle. Add a bit of water to make a paste; apply topically to skin. For treatment of skin parasites, add 1 part galangal to 3 parts alcohol and let sit overnight before applying. For sores within the mouth, gargle with galangal tea. [A Thai Herbal: Traditional Recipes for Health and Harmony]
Used in Ayurveda, Unani and Sidha. Rhizome used in epigastric pain, colic, dyspepsia, indigestion, vomiting, chronic gastritis, stomachache, flatulence, diarrhea, fever and malaria, and locally applied to infected gums. Seeds used for heartburn, cholera, toothache, ague and colds. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]
A. officinarum is a very valued medicinal plant and has been in use traditionally. Its rhizome has an essential oil that is warm and spicy. It has been in use in chronic enteritis, gastralgia and the decoction is a folk remedy for cancer in Louisiana and Oklahoma. The rhizomes are considered aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, stimulant and stomachic. It is useful in dyspepsia and in preventing fermentation and flatulence. It is considered a nervine tonic. The properties are more or less similar to that of A. galanga. The therapeutic effects when used in traditional medicines might be mainly due to the contents of quercetin, galangin and kaempferol. [Handbook of Herbs and Spices - Volume 3]
It is a favorite spice and medicine in Estonia and Lithuania (GMH). A salve, prepared from the root, is said to be a folk remedy for cancer in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Prescribed for gastralgia and chronic enteritis. Rhizomes are considered aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, stimulant, and stomachic, being especially useful in dyspepsia, and in preventing fermentation and flatulence. In India, it is considered a nervine tonic and an aphrodisiac. Reportedly, it clears halitosis when chewed, and sore throat when swallowed. According to India folklore, if given to children, they learn to talk earlier. Powdered with oil or water, it is said to remove freckles. Supposedly reduces the urine flow in diabetics (DEP). Powder is used as a snuff, especially for catarrh (GMH), and sometimes used as medicine for cattle. [CRC Handbook of Medicinal Spices]
Rhizome—carminative (in dyspepsia), stomachic, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory. Throughout southern India, the rhizome of Alpinia galanga is used as Raasnaa for rheumatism, intermittent fever, dyspepsia and respiratory ailments. Unani physicians use A. galanga as a sex tonic. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]
The root is a stimulating, spicy, warming, aromatic alterative.It considerably excites the mucous membrane especially of the stomach, and its use is best in atonic and depressed conditions of the digestive tract. In hot infusion it arouses the circulation and gives general warmth. It promotes menstruation especially when the same has been checked by congestion, in either acute or chronic cases Zingiber, Asclepias or Camomile may be added as required. It has been recommended as an alterative in sarcoma, uterine fibroids, lymphatic swellings and in syphilis. [Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy]
A. officinarum looks similar to A. galanga, but it is smaller in stature
Galangal is used in Thai medicine in a very similar way to ginger. Ginger is considered to be a superior herb, but galangal is more common in Thailand. As a hot herb, the galangal rhizome has a stimulating effect on the digestion, and is therefore useful in cases of indigestion, flatulence, and stomachache. It is also recommended for diarrhoea, nausea, and seasickness. Galangal is reputed to be an aphrodisiac, although this is probably due to its general stimulating effect on the Fire element. Preparation: Decoction from one “thumb-length” (or about 5 grams) fresh galangal, finely chopped, grated, or mashed with mortar and pestle. Boil 10–15 minutes; drink after meals. Topical Application: Galangal has an antiseptic action similar to ginger and may be used topically for bacterial and fungal skin infections, acne, mosquito bites, bee stings, other insect bites, and as a gargle for mouth sores. A. nigra is used for treatment of ringworm and other skin parasites. Preparation: Mash fresh galangal with mortar and pestle. Add a bit of water to make a paste; apply topically to skin. For treatment of skin parasites, add 1 part galangal to 3 parts alcohol and let sit overnight before applying. For sores within the mouth, gargle with galangal tea. [A Thai Herbal: Traditional Recipes for Health and Harmony]
Used in Ayurveda, Unani and Sidha. Rhizome used in epigastric pain, colic, dyspepsia, indigestion, vomiting, chronic gastritis, stomachache, flatulence, diarrhea, fever and malaria, and locally applied to infected gums. Seeds used for heartburn, cholera, toothache, ague and colds. [CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants]
A. officinarum is a very valued medicinal plant and has been in use traditionally. Its rhizome has an essential oil that is warm and spicy. It has been in use in chronic enteritis, gastralgia and the decoction is a folk remedy for cancer in Louisiana and Oklahoma. The rhizomes are considered aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, stimulant and stomachic. It is useful in dyspepsia and in preventing fermentation and flatulence. It is considered a nervine tonic. The properties are more or less similar to that of A. galanga. The therapeutic effects when used in traditional medicines might be mainly due to the contents of quercetin, galangin and kaempferol. [Handbook of Herbs and Spices - Volume 3]
It is a favorite spice and medicine in Estonia and Lithuania (GMH). A salve, prepared from the root, is said to be a folk remedy for cancer in Louisiana and Oklahoma. Prescribed for gastralgia and chronic enteritis. Rhizomes are considered aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, stimulant, and stomachic, being especially useful in dyspepsia, and in preventing fermentation and flatulence. In India, it is considered a nervine tonic and an aphrodisiac. Reportedly, it clears halitosis when chewed, and sore throat when swallowed. According to India folklore, if given to children, they learn to talk earlier. Powdered with oil or water, it is said to remove freckles. Supposedly reduces the urine flow in diabetics (DEP). Powder is used as a snuff, especially for catarrh (GMH), and sometimes used as medicine for cattle. [CRC Handbook of Medicinal Spices]
Rhizome—carminative (in dyspepsia), stomachic, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory. Throughout southern India, the rhizome of Alpinia galanga is used as Raasnaa for rheumatism, intermittent fever, dyspepsia and respiratory ailments. Unani physicians use A. galanga as a sex tonic. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]
The root is a stimulating, spicy, warming, aromatic alterative.It considerably excites the mucous membrane especially of the stomach, and its use is best in atonic and depressed conditions of the digestive tract. In hot infusion it arouses the circulation and gives general warmth. It promotes menstruation especially when the same has been checked by congestion, in either acute or chronic cases Zingiber, Asclepias or Camomile may be added as required. It has been recommended as an alterative in sarcoma, uterine fibroids, lymphatic swellings and in syphilis. [Physio-Medical Therapeutics, Materia Medica and Pharmacy]
89 Published articles of Alpinia officinarum
