Alpinia officinarum (Lesser Galangal) Flashcards
How do you recognise Lesser Galangal?
- Native to SE china, Vietnam, Cambodia & Myanmar.
- Grows up to 2 metres tall with spikes of pink tinged, white flowers in a spike at top of plant. There are a number of plants referred to as galangal. A. offinarum is the one currently most encountered in herbal medicine in the UK.
- The galangal used in Thai cooking is A. galanga aka greater galangal or blue ginger.
- Was used lots in Europe in middle ages in cooking and medicine, but its use was replaced with ginger.
What are Lesser Galangal’s main constituents?
- Flavonoids – including luteolin, chrysin, pinocembrin, apigenin, galangin, kaempferol, quercetin & rutin – will contribute to anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidant activity and possibly to anti cancer potential.
- Polyphenols
- Diarylheptanoids – yukuchinone, oxyphyllcinol, hexahydrocurcumin – anti‐inflammatory.
What family is Lesser Galangal in?
A member of the Zingiberaceae.
What is Lesser Galangal good for?
Summary: Used in cooking as a warming spice and in perfumery.
Actions:
* Digestive tonic.
* Anti‐inflammatory.
* Antimicrobial.
* Anti‐emetic – and anti‐diarrhoeal.
* Anodyne.
* Antioxidant.
* Anti‐cancer.
* Seems to boost male fertility.
Applications
* Applications In TCM used for “stomach cold” and abdominal pain.
* To stimulate appetite.
* Indigestion and GIT infections.
* Nausea & vomiting.
* Arthritic and muscular pain.
* Exhaustion, fatigue, and weakness.
* Some sources list morning sickness as an indication for use but others suggest that it may have a stimulating effect on uterus and is contra‐indicated in pregnancy.
What is Lesser Galangal ‘s Latin name?
Alpinia officinarum
What parts of Lesser Galangal do you use?
Rhizomes and roots
What safety issues might Lesser Galangal have?
Contraindicated in pregnancy as might have a stimulating effect on uterus
What useful research does Lesser Galangal have?
