Alpinia Galanga

Other Names : Greater Galangal, Rasna, Mahabharivacha, Alpinia officinarum, Alpinie, Catarrh Root, China Root, Chinese Ginger, Colic Root, East India Catarrh Root, East India Root, Galanga, Galanga Camphré, Galanga Minceur, Galangal, Galangal Officinal, Galangal Root, Galgant, Gao Liang, Gao Liang Jiang, Gargaut, Gingembre Rouge, India Root, Languas officinarum, Siamese Ginger, Racine de Galanga, Radix Alpiniae Officinarum, Rasna, Rhizome Galangae.
Greater Galangal, a member of the rhizome family like Ginger and Turmeric, is a vital ingredient in Thai cuisine. The herb has also been used in Asia and the Middle East in perfumes, snuffs and as a flavoring in condiments. Compared to ginger, galangal is larger, harder, has lighter-colored skin, and sometimes has pinkish patches. The flavor is somewhat different from that of ginger, as well. There are two main types of galangal. The first is Indonesian galangal, or lengkuas, which has an earthy flavor and a somewhat piney scent. This is the type most commonly found in the West. The second type is krachaai galangal, which originated in China and is popular in Thailand. Krachaai galangal has a flavor that resembles a cross between ginger and pepper.

Special Precautions of Alpinia Galanga

Avoid use during pregnancy and breast feeding.
Fresh root is toxic and may cause dizziness, intestinal pain and vomiting.
Do not take it with salt.
It may increase your stomach acid, so it is best to avoid it if you are suffering from GERD or peptic ulcer

Benefits and uses of Alpinia Galanga are

Greater Galangal’s antioxidant properties have been attributed to six diarylheptanoids, which have been isolated from the rhizome. The herb also contains flavonoids, which have lipid-lowering benefits. Alpinia contains chemicals that block certain steps in the swelling (inflammation) pathway.

Arthritis : Greater Galangal possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which alleviate muscle and joint aches.
As an antioxidant, the herb scavenges free radicals in the body.
Preventing Heart Disease and Cardiovascular problem : In blood circulatory system galangal decreases the cardiac contractions, cardiac output by increasing the blood supply to the gastrointestinal system and other vital organs. In Ayurvedic or Indian medication, galangal often served as heart disease traditional drug. Galangal is found as the best home remedy to prevent heart stroke in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Even Dr Strehlew, the author of Bingen’s medicine mentioned galangal as a life saver from heart attacks. He is the one who promotes the usage of galangal in modern medication especially in promoting healthy heart to young generation.
Studies have shown that Greater Galangal inhibits the synthesis of fatty acids and is credited with lowering lipid levels.
to treat nausea, flatulence and dyspepsia : You may also choose to chew raw galangal pieces if you have an upset stomach, or steep slices in boiling water to make a delicious and soothing tea. Adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice is a great traditional touch.
Chronic Disease : Chronic disease is often the result of chronic inflammation and the negative effects of free radicals. With the half-dozen antioxidants present in this spice, your risk of arthritis, diabetes, and coronary heart disease decreases remarkably.
cancer : Galangal is host of numerous antioxidants substance which help to minimize DNA damaged caused by free radicals and other toxin component that enter the body. Research by UK researchers found that galangal extract has anti-cancer activities according to experiment with people who suffering lung and breast cancer. The most antioxidative component in galangal that fight with free radicals is flavonoid called galangin. Galangin can modulate the activity of enzyme and suppresses chemicals geno-toxicity. It showed that galanga is very potential herbs which act as anti-cancer. Other research also reported that the transconiveril diacetate, acetoxy chavikol acetat and asetoksi eugenol cetat can prevent the pathway of Xanthin enzyme synthesize which trigger tumor development.
- Breast cancer : The extract of Alpinia galanga exerts pro-apoptotic effects in a breast cancer-derived cell line and could be considered as a potential chemotherapeutic agent in breast cancer.
- Gastric Cancer : Using cell culture model, anti-proliferative effect of aqueous extract of Alpinia galangal was demonstrated on human gastric tumor (AGS) and L929 cell lines. This effect was prominent in high concentrations.
Relieves Discomfort caused by digestive problem : Dietary fiber and phyto-chemical in galanga helps to increase the process of food mixing in stomach. It also helps to reduce salivary and digestive acid secretion which gives problem to people with ulcers. Consuming galangal can give comfortable feeling to individual’s stomach who suffers from ulcer. It is also believed that galanga can prevents anorexia and abdominal pain. In Java Island, Indonesia the fresh grated galangal is given on empty stomach by adding little salt. It is supposed that grated galangal can cure enlarged spleen and relieve discomfort feeling in stomach. Strong aromatic odor of galangal can treat nausea. Beside those effects, galangal is also thought to have carminative affect which relieving flatulence. There is no specific recommended dosage of galangal but 1 gram of tuber can be used as carminative.
Relieve Asthma : Galangal plays an important role in maintaining healthy respiratory system. Galangan which has been used as drug has an antispasmodic effect that reduces the sputum (Kapha) and dilates the bronchioles in order to alleviate asthma. It can also be used for speech imperfections such as dysarthria, stammering and aphasia.
Lowering Blood lipid and cholesterol : Researchers from China have reported that galanga extract could effectively inhibit fatty-acid synthase. Galanga is thought to prevent the mechanism of fat synthesis by its flavonoid, such as galangin, quercetin and kaempferol. While researchers in Korea also displayed that galanga extract considerably lowered the Triglycerde and cholesterol.
Get rid of sea, motion, and morning sickness : Chewing galanga flesh is believed to cure motion sickness. Aromatic oil in galanga can stimulate and calm the nervous system. Pregnant woman commonly experience morning sickness. Drinking brewed galangal slices with warm water and honey can help to relieve morning sickness.
Cure for Diarrhea : Galangal has anti-bacterial effect which can get rid of pathogen bacteria and cure diarrhea. Research showed the antimicrobial activity of various extracts of galangal to some strain of food borne pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteriditis, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus cereus which are the cause of diarrhea.
Reduce urination in polyuria : In urinary system galangal slightly reduces the ability of urine production and used as treatment in polyuria and other urine disorder.
Keep the body stamina : People in Indonesia used to mix galangal with other ingredients such as garlic, pepper, tamarind and etc. to produce tonic which they called “jamu”. This tonic is supposed to keep body stamina if being consume three times a day and help to relives muscle fatigue.
Used for impotency : It is said that keeping a piece of galangal in mouth can encourages sexual desire. In Arabian countries galangal are used as aphrodisiac and people in South-East Asian countries often use galangal in the treatment of menstrual disorder.
Protect the body from cold : External application and consumption of galanga powder reduces hyper respiration and coldness due to circulatory failure. An experience of doctor who travels in Nepal said that galangal is immediate reliever against cold by improving blood circulatory and produce warm feeling.
Relieve cough, sore throat and clearing sound : Galangal has expectorant action and is useful in many respiratory problems, particularly for children who are suffering from whooping cough. People mix the galangal extract with hot water to relieve chest pain, sore throat and clearing voice in India. Just mix some galangal powder or brew the galangal slices in boiled water with lime. It can be a tonic which can relive cough and throat problem.
Relieve Catarrh : Catarrh is a condition of excessive mucous production in nasal cavity which caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane. Catarrh is a symptom when a person suffers from cold or flu. Powder of galangal can be used as snuff that helps to get rid catarrh. Just solve 15-30 grams of galangal powder into hot water then sniff it.
Reduce ear pain : Sometime infection in ear disturbs our activity and it can be severe if we just let the pain remain in ear. Galangal can help to reduce pain in ear which is cause by inflammation. Just grate some galangal and squeeze the liquid from it then drop it to your ear.
Strengthen hair roots and promotes healthy hair : Cardiovascular effect of galangal also shows the benefit to the growth of hair root. Healthy cardiovascular effect of galangal improves the transport of oxygen to hair root and enhances the strength of the hair.
Strengthen Immune System and Anti-HIV : Research has proven that polysaccharide extract of galangal which solved in hot water possesses a stimulating effect on the reticulo endothelial system (RES) cell development and increased the number of peritoneal exudates cells and spleen cells which play role in body immune system. Research by Ye Ying Li Bao reported that 1′S-1′-acetoxychavicol acetate which isolated from galangal extract has Anti human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and blocking the replication of the virus.
Reduce symptom of osteoarthritis : Research which used randomized double-blind placebo controlled, the concentrated extract of galangal has been found to reduce symptoms and pain significantly in patients with osteoarthritis and suffer severe knee pain.
Improves blood circulation : Herb is declared to have the ability to flush out the toxins present in your body. By doing so, galangal improves the blood circulation and allows the entrance of nutrients into the skin tissue. Similarly, the antioxidant property possessed by the herb prevents the harmful toxins from being deposited in your body. As the unwanted toxins are removed from your body, the activity of your circulatory system is improved.
Keep the skin remain young : Cosmetic industry use galangal extract in the effort to create anti-aging formula. It is not a big deal since we know that antioxidant that contained in galangal has great impact to prevent free radicals entering the body which also promotes aging. Vitamin C in galangal also play role in skin cells rejuvenation and keep the skin away from aging.
Protect the liver from toxicity of chemical : Supplement of galangal is also found has a potential effect to protect liver against chemical side effect such as the usage of paracetamol. So adding some galangal to your dish is one of best way to protect heart and liver.
Prevent Alzheimer disease and mental fatigue : Alzheimer, a damage in brain function as one symptom of dementia is a shocking disease. Galangal has potential effect in preventing Alzheimer after some researcher found that galangal herb enhance cognitive and boost brain memory.
Get rid of Acne and acne scar : If you having problem with acne, galangal can be a home remedy to remove acne and dark spot. Drinking galangal juice or rubbing the galangal flesh on skin can slowly reduce acne and skin dullness.
Increasing Appetite : Galangal herb can also be used to increase appetite and this is why some dish which use galangal is more mouthwatering to be eaten and the effect of galangal in calming the digestive system can make someone enjoy the meal well.
Cure some skin problem and allergy : Roots of galanga can directly be used to rub some skin area which infected by fungi. In java, an island of Indonesia, people used to rub galanga in a white spot area caused by skin fungus which people in Indonesia called “panu” with galanga slice. It is also known that galanga can be used to cure other skin problem such as eczema, burn and itchy skin by applying the flesh on skin 2 – 3 times a day. If you have allergy to shrimp, fish or any other seafood and it makes your skin itchy, drinking galangal tonic or tea everyday can slowly remove your allergy.
Remove dandruff and scalp problem : Anti-fungal effect of galangal can be applied to almost area of skin which infected by fungi none of the less the scalp. Fungi can infect the scalp and resulting dandruff. You can directly rubbing the it on scalp or mix some grated galangal with olive oil then spread it on the area of scalp which infected by fungi.
Treats infertility : It has been suggested that there has been a decrease in sperm quality in the West. With decreased sperm quality comes the possibility of infertility. Couples wishing to conceive where sperm quality low related issues have only IVF as an option. Other, less invasive methods to improve sperm quality are therefore essential. Various clinical trials have shown that galangal has the potential for increasing fertility. The way it does this is to generate spermato-genesis, the creation of sperm, thus increasing sperm count. It also increases sperm motility, which is a movement of the sperm cells.

Reference

Alpinia Galanga

Special Precautions of Alpinia Galanga

Benefits and uses of Alpinia Galanga are

Reference

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