Galangal

This genus of about 200 species of ginger-scented, rhizamatous perennials is native to Asia and Australia. Lesser galangal (A. officinarum) is of great importance as a medicinal herb; it has been used in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine since very early times (c.CE500 in China), and in Europe since the Middle Ages. Greater galingal (A. galanga) has less pungent rhizomes and is more important for culinary uses. These tropical galingals are not to be confused with the European galingal, or sweet galingale (Cyperus longus), which has violet-scented roots that are used in perfumery. In addition A. officinarum and A. galanga, several other species are used for flavorings and medicines. The Australian A. caerulea (native ginger) has ginger-flavored rhizomes and yi zhi, from the southern Chinese A. oxyphylla (black cardamom sharp-leafed galangal), is a warming digestive and kidney tonic, used in traditional Chinese medicine for diarrhea, incontinence, and stomach chills.

Lesser galangal, the spicy, aromatic root of a plant native to China, most likely gets its name from the Arabic word khanlanjan, a corruption of the Chinese word meaning "mild ginger". Like ginger, lesser galangal is useful in promoting digestion and preventing vomiting, morning sickness, and motion sickness. Some studies have also found that a constituent of lesser galangal inhibits inflammation.

Tender perennial with a red-brown, scaly rhizome, to 2cm (1in) thick, lanceolate leaves to 40cm (16in) long, and panicles of white, red-streaked, orchid-like flowers.


Common Name:
Galangal
Other Names:
Alpinia, Catarrh Root, Chinese Ginger, East India Root, India Root, Lesser Galangal
Botanical Name:
Alpinia officinarum
Genus:
Alpinia
Family:
Zingiberaceae
Cultivation:
Well-drained, rich soil in partial shade with high humidity. Spider mite may attack plants under cover.
Propagation:
By division of rhizomes as new growth begins.
Harvest:
Rhizomes four to six years old are lifted at the end of the growing season and used fresh, or dried for use in decoctions, liquid extracts, and tinctures, or distilled for oil.
Native Location:
China and Vietnam
Height:
75cm-1.2m (2½-4ft)
Width:
Indefinite
Hardiness:
Min. 15-18°C (59-64°F)
Parts Used:
Rhizomes (gao liang), oil.
Properties:
A bitter, aromatic, stimulant herb that acts mainly on the digestive system. It also relieves pain, lowers fever, and controls bacterial and fungal infections.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for digestive upsets, chronic gastritis and gastric ulceration, epigastric and rheumatic pain. Externally for skin infections, skin cancer, and gum disease. To treat pain, particularly stomach pain. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of lesser galangal to treat loss of appetite and dyspeptic complaints, such as heartburn and bloating.
Typical Dose:
A typical dose of lesser galangal may range from 0.5 to 1.0 gm mixed with 150 ml boiling water, allowed to steep ten minutes, drained as taken as a tea.
Possible Side Effects:
No side effects are known when lesser galangal is taken in designated therapeutic doses.
Drug Interactions:
Taking lesser galangal with these drugs may interfere with the action of the drug:
Aluminum Hydroxide, (AlternaGel, Alu-Cap)
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Carbonate, (Gaviscon Extra Strength, Gaviscon Liquid)
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Maalox, Rulox)
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Trisilicate, (Gaviscon Tablet)
Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone, (Maalox, Mylanta Liquid)
Calcium Carbonate, (Rolaids Extra Strength, Tums)
Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Mylanta Gelcaps, Rolaids Extra Strength)
Cimetidine, (Nu-Cimet, Tagamet)
Esomeprazole, (Nexium)
Famotidine, (Apo-Famotidine, Pepcid)
Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Pepcid Complete)
Lansoprazole, (Prevacid)
Magaldrate and Simethicone, (Riopan Plus, Riopan Plus Double Strength)
Magnesium Hydroxide, (Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia, Phillips' Milk of Magnesia)
Magnesium Oxide, (Mag-Ox 400, Uro-Mag)
Magnesium Sulfate, (Epsom Salts)
Nizatidine, (Axid, PMS-Nizatidine)
Omeprazole, (Losec, Prilosec)
Pantoprazole, (Pantoloc, Protonix)
Rabeprazole, (Aciphex, Pariet)
Ranitidine, (Alti-Ranitidine, Zantac)
Sodium Bicarbonate, (Brioschi, Neut)
Culinary Uses:
Rhizome has a pungent peppery, ginger-like flavor, used to flavor vinegars and liqueurs.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 116
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. pp.306-307