Galangal scientifically known as Alpinia galanga is a perennial herb with finger-like rhizomatous rootstocks in the Zingiberaceae family, of the genus Zingiber. This perennial herb is indigenous to India, to Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam) to Southern China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan) and Taiwan. Blue Ginger, Chinese Ginger, False Galangal, Galangal, Galangal Root, Greater Galangal, Java Galangal, Languas, Laos Root, Siamese Galangal, Siamese Ginger, Spice Ginger, Thai Galangal, Thai Ginger, Chewing John, China root, East Indian root, Galanga, Galangal root, Kulanjan, Laos, Lesser galangal, Little John chew, Lesser galangal, small galangal, galingale, gargaut, India root, east India catarrh root, ginger root, colic root are few of the popular common name of the plant. Genus name honors Italian botanist Prospero Alpino.
Plant Description
Galangal is a robust, vigorous, tillering, perennial, herbaceous plant that grows about 2 – 3.5 meters tall. The plant is found growing in forests, scrub or grasslands. It prefers a rich, well-drained soil high in organic matter and grows well in shade or partial shade. It cannot tolerate waterlogged soils or drought. Roots are tuberous and slightly aromatic. Rhizomes are subterete, creeping, copiously branched, 3–5 cm in diameter, fibrous, hard, shiny pink, greenish, red or pale yellow, and aromatic. Pseudo stems are erect formed by the rolled leaf sheaths. For culinary use, the rhizome is typically cut up into small pieces, thin-sliced, pounded into a paste, or dried and powdered for inclusion as a flavoring in a variety of food dishes such as soups and curries. It is reportedly one of the most frequently used spices in Thai cooking and is also quite popular in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Despite being closely related to ginger, galangal has more of a citrus, earthy or pine flavor, and each type has different nutritional compositions. The rhizome of this plant has rings around it and is pale yellow or white in color. It looks similar to both ginger root and turmeric and is often mistaken for them.
The branched are cut while fresh, and the pieces are usually cylindrical, marked at short intervals by narrow, whitish, somewhat raised rings, which are the scars left by former leaves. They are dark reddish-brown externally, and the section shows a dark center surrounded by a wider, paler layer which becomes darker in drying. Their odor is aromatic, and their taste pungent and spicy. They are tough and difficult to break, the fracture being granular, with small, ligneous fiber interspersed throughout one side. The drug is exported, chiefly from Shanghai, in bales made of split cane, plaited, and bound round with cane. Root has been used in Europe as a spice for over a thousand years, having probably been introduced by Arabian or Greek physicians, but it has now largely gone out of use except in Russia and India. Closely resembling ginger, it is used in Russia for flavoring vinegar and the liqueur ‘nastoika’: it is a favorite spice and medicine in Lithuania and Estonia. Tartars prepare a kind of tea that contains it, and it is used by brewers. The reddish-brown powder is used as snuff, and in India, the oil is valued in perfumery.
Leaves
Leaves are alternated in two rows with suborbicular ligule and 1 cm long hairy petiole. Leaf-blade is oblong-lanceolate, 25–60 long by 6–15 cm wide, glabrous or abaxially pubescent, base attenuate, apex acute or acuminate.
Flower & Fruit
The flower is yellowish-white to greenish-white and fragrant with tubular calyx and corolla. Labellum is white with red lines, obovate-spatulate, with a deeply bi-cleft apex and purple subulate or linear lateral staminodes at the base of the labellum. Stamen is single and erect with incurved anther. Fertile flowers are followed by globose to the ellipsoid capsule that is 1–1.5 cm long and 0.7 cm wide with 3–6 seeds. Fruits are initially orange-red to dark red and turn black at maturity. Three dark brown seeds have a rather unpleasant taste.
Health Benefits of Galangal
The most impressive health benefits of galangal are its ability to act as an anticancer and anti-inflammatory agent, strengthen the immune system, increase sperm motility, and protect the brain. Listed below are some of the well-known health benefits of Galangal
1. 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.
2. 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 lifesaver from heart attacks. He is the one who promotes the usage of galangal in modern medication especially in promoting a healthy heart to the young generation.
3. Prevent inflammatory and Arthritis
Several types of research have shown that galangal consists of anti-inflammatory substances called gingerols which prevent prostaglandin synthesis and inhibit histaminic also serotonin pathways. This anti-inflammatory response of galangal can serve as beneficial in reducing the symptoms of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition of joint disorder caused by inflammation and as an effect of long-lasting autoimmune disorder.
4. Prevent from tumor and cancer
Galangal is the host of numerous antioxidants substances that help to minimize DNA damage caused by free radicals and another toxin component that enter the body. Research by UK researchers found that galangal extract has anti-cancer activities according to experiments with people who suffering from lung and breast cancer. The most antioxidative component in galangal that fights with free radicals is a flavonoid called galanin. Galangin can modulate the activity of enzymes and suppresses chemical genotoxicity. It showed that galanga is very potential herbs that act as an anti-cancer. Other research also reported that the transconiveril diacetate, acetoxy chavicol acetate and asetoksi eugenol that can prevent the pathway of Xanthin enzyme synthesis which triggers tumor development.
5. Relieves Discomfort caused by a digestive problem
Dietary fiber and phytochemicals in galanga help to increase the process of food mixing in the stomach. It also helps to reduce salivary and digestive acid secretion which gives problems to people with ulcers. Consuming galangal can give a comfortable feeling to an individual’s stomach who suffers from an ulcer. It is also believed that galanga can prevent anorexia and abdominal pain. In Java Island, Indonesia the freshly 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 the stomach.
The strong aromatic odor of galangal can treat nausea. Besides those effects, galangal is also thought to have a carminative effect that relieves flatulence. There is no specific recommended dosage of galangal but 1 gram of tuber can be used as carminative.
6. Relieve Asthma
Galangal plays an important role in maintaining a healthy respiratory system. Galanga which has been used as the 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.
7. 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 flavonoids, such as galangin, quercetin and kaempferol. While researchers in Korea also displayed that galanga extract considerably lowered the Triglyceride and cholesterol.
8. 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 women commonly experience morning sickness. Drinking brewed galangal slices with warm water and honey can help to relieve morning sickness.
9. Cure for Diarrhea
Galangal has an 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 strains of food-borne pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter jejuni, Bacillus cereus which are the cause of diarrhea.
10. Reduce urination in polyuria
In the urinary system galangal slightly reduces the ability of urine production and is used as a treatment in polyuria and other urine disorder.
11. 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.
12. Used for impotency
It is said that keeping a piece of galangal in the mouth can encourage sexual desire. In Arabian countries, galangal is used as an aphrodisiac and people in South-East Asian countries often use galangal in the treatment of the menstrual disorder.
13. Protect the body from cold
External application and consumption of galanga powder reduce hyper respiration and coldness due to circulatory failure. An experience of doctor who travels in Nepal said that galangal is an immediate reliever against the cold by improving blood circulation and producing a warm feeling.
14. 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 that can relieve cough and throat problems.
15. Relieve Catarrh
Catarrh is a condition of excessive mucous production in the nasal cavity caused by inflammation of the mucous membrane. Catarrh is a symptom when a person suffers from a cold or flu. Powder of galangal can be used as snuff that helps to get rid of catarrh. Just solve 15-30 grams of galangal powder into hot water then sniff it.
16. Reduce ear pain
Sometimes an 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 the ear which is caused by inflammation. Just grate some galangal and squeeze the liquid from it then drop it to your ear.
17. Strengthen hair roots and promotes healthy hair
The cardiovascular effect of galangal also shows the benefit to the growth of hair roots. The healthy cardiovascular effect of galangal improves the transport of oxygen to hair roots and enhances the strength of the hair.
18. Strengthen Immune System and Anti-HIV
Research has proven that polysaccharide extract of galangal which is solved in hot water possesses a stimulating effect on the reticuloendothelial system (RES) cell development and increased the number of peritoneal exudates cells and spleen cells which play role in the body immune system. Research by Ye Ying Li Bao reported that 1′S-1′-acetoxychavicol acetate which is isolated from galangal extract has Anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and blocks the replication of the virus.
19. Reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis
Research that 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.
20. Improves blood circulation
Herb is declared to have the ability to flush out the toxins present in your body. By doing so, galangal improves blood circulation and allows the entrance of nutrients into the skin tissue. Similarly, the antioxidant property possessed by the herb prevents 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.
21. Keep the skin remain young
The cosmetic industry uses galangal extract in an effort to create an anti-aging formula. It is not a big deal since we know that antioxidant contained in galangal has a great impact to prevent free radicals from entering the body which also promotes aging. Vitamin C in galangal also play role in skin cells rejuvenation and keeping the skin away from aging.
22. Protect the liver from toxicity of chemical
Supplement of galangal is also found to have a potential effect to protect the liver against chemical side effects such as the usage of paracetamol. So adding some galangal to your dish is one of the best ways to protect the heart and liver.
23. Prevent Alzheimer disease and mental fatigue
Alzheimer’s, damage in brain function as one symptom of dementia is a shocking disease. Galangal has a potential effect in preventing Alzheimer after some researchers found that galangal herb enhances cognitive and boosts brain memory.
24. Get rid of Acne and acne scar
If you have a 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.
25. Increasing Appetite
Galangal herb can also be used to increase appetite and this is why some dish that uses galangal is more mouthwatering to be eaten and the effect of galangal in calming the digestive system can make someone enjoy the meal well.
26. Cure some skin problems and allergy
Roots of galanga can directly be used to rub some skin areas 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 problems such as eczema, burn, and itchy skin by applying the flesh on the skin 2 – 3 times a day. If you have an allergy to shrimp, fish or any other seafood and it makes your skin itchy, drinking galangal tonic or tea every day can slowly remove your allergy.
27. 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 rub it on the scalp or mix some grated galangal with olive oil then spread it on the area of scalp which is infected by fungi.
28. 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 to 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.
Traditional uses and benefits of Galangal
- Galangal rhizomes have reported wide medical applications in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia.
- Galangal rhizome has been used for its emmenagogue, aphrodisiac, abortifacient, carminative, expectorant, stomachic, digestive stimulant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory qualities.
- Rhizomes have been in the treatment of various ailments such as fever, cough, hiccups, asthma, bronchitis, heart diseases, chronic enteritis, renal calculus, diabetes, rheumatism, kidney disorders, rheumatism, skin diseases, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, gastralgia, borborygmus, emesis, dysentery, diarrhea, scurf, and enlarged spleen, cancers of oral cavity and stomach and cholera.
- Rhizome has also been claimed to be useful for malaria, tinea, tubular glands, pityriasis Versicolor and desquamation of the sole and hands.
- It has been used as an alternative medicine for anti-rheumatic activities.
- Red fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a flavor similar to cardamom.
- Rhizome has a reputation among the Arabs as Aphrodisiac.
- Rhizomes are used in rheumatism and catarrhal affections, especially in bronchial catarrh and in respiratory troubles of children in Indian indigenous medicine.
- Hongdoukou, Fructus Galangae, is the dry ripe red fruit of Alpinia galanga, which is used in the treatment of various gastric disorders, emesis, and diarrhea.
- Rhizomes soaked in salt are used to quench thirst during strenuous work, and rhizome soaked in alcohol is used topically for ringworm infection on the skin in Vietnam.
- The rhizome is used to improve appetite, taste, and voice in Ayurvedic medicines.
- It has also been reported to be useful in Vata, bronchitis, and diseases of the heart.
- Rhizomes have been used as stomachic, aphrodisiac, tonic, diuretic, expectorant, and carminative and described as useful in treating headache, rheumatic pains, sore throat, sour eructation, stuttering, chest pain diabetes, burning of the liver, tubercular glands, and diseases of the kidney in Unani medicine.
- Seeds are considered calefacient, stomachic, sternutatory, and beneficial in colic, diarrhea, and emesis in Chinese medicine.
- Rhizomes are used as carminative, anti-flatulent, antifungal, and anti-itching in Thai folk medicine.
- For difficulty in urination, the paste of the rhizome, made with or without water from washing rice, is taken orally as a diuretic for cases of inability to urinate even though the bladder is full, and for pain and discomfort in urination.
- With ginger juice and honey, the rhizome is taken as a cure for coughs.
- Powdered and mixed with samone-byu and roasted salt, it is taken for chest pains and stomach pains; mixed with equal amounts of dried ginger rock salt, the powdered rhizome it is a remedy for indigestion.
- Powder is used as a snuff for catarrh.
- It prevents the cells from turning Cancerous and fights against Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Blood Cancer and Skin Cancer.
- It is a good herbal remedy in the treatment of digestive Disorders and increases the production of digestion fluids, eases digestion and improves the appetite.
- It is helpful in curing the problems like Nausea, Morning Sickness, and Diarrhea.
- Its anti-inflammatory properties alleviate the symptoms of Arthritis and Rheumatism.
- It offers relief from chest congestion and regulates the breathing rate.
- Galangal consists of high amount of Iron which is good for an anemic patient.
- It builds Immunity against viruses and germs.
- It is a useful herb for Oral Cavity. It acts as a mouth wash which heals Gingivitis, Sores, and Inflammation in Mouth. It combats Bad Breath and refreshes the Mouth.
- Galangal revitalizes the Hair follicles and enhances the Hair growth.
- It helps in getting rid of scalp Infections and Dandruff.
- Its antipyretic properties are beneficial in treating Fever.
- It also shows analgesic property lowers the body pain associated with Fever.
- It is a rich source of antioxidants and Vitamin C needed for Healthy Skin. They rejuvenate the skin cells and keep the signs of aging away. It possesses anti-fungal properties which is useful in curing Fungal Infections.
- Regular use of Galangal improves Sperm count and sperm motility. It increases fertility and cures Impotence.
Ayurvedic health benefits of Galangal
- Asthma: Mix half tsp. rootstock powder in 250 ml water. Leave it for 4 hours. Drink this infusion by adding 1 tsp. Honey in it.
- Chest Congestion: Soak some crushed rootstock in a pot of drinking water. Drink after adding honey whenever feel thirsty.
- Cough: Take 2 cups of water. Soak 5 g crushed rhizome of Galangal for 4 hours. Add 1 tsp. honey and drink. OR: Mix the powder of Galangal rootstock and sugar in an equal ratio. Take half tsp. with hot milk during bedtime. OR: Make a layer of Castor oil over Galangal’s rootstock. Heat until it chars. Grind it to make powder and store. Take half tsp. with honey once a day. OR: Crush Galangal’s rhizome with sugar. Have 3 gm. once a day.
- Phlegm: Add 1/2 tsp. powdered rhizome of Galangal to 2 cups of water. Keep it for 3 hours. Sweeten with 1 tsp honey before drinking. OR: Eat crushed rootstock of Galangal with sugar once a day. OR: Make an infusion of Galangal’s rhizome. Filter it and add sugar. Take 10 ml thrice a day
- Cold: Take 50 g powder of each Galangal rhizome and sugar. Take 3 g during bedtime with hot milk.
- Nausea: Take Galangal’s rhizome. Dip it in Castor oil. Roast it over the flame. Powder it. Take 3 g with honey daily. OR Mix an equal quantity of Galangal’s rhizome powder with sugar. Eat 1 tsp. once a day.
- Gum Disease: Make a decoction of Galangal’s rhizome. Use it for gargle.
- Fever: Mix rootstock of Galangal and sugar. Grind to make powder. Take half tsp. with hot water or milk during bedtime.
- Headache: Grind an equal quantity of sugar and Galangal’s rootstock together. Take 3 g with hot milk before sleeping.
- Muscle Spasm: Externally apply the grated Galangal as a poultice. OR : Use as a hot fomentation
- Menses Scanty: Drink hot Galangal tea half cup a day, regularly for a week. It promotes perspiration.
- Sore Throat: Chew the rootstock to get relief.
- Rheumatism: Mix 4 g rhizome powder of Galangal in a cup of lukewarm water. Drink it thrice a day.
- Digestive disorders: Consume 3 g rhizome powder of Galangal before every meal.
- Aphrodisiac: Regular intake of 6 grams of Galangal root stock once a day, helps in increasing the sperm count
- Asthma: Mix in a mud pot 6 tablespoons each of Balloon Vine leaves, Climbing Brinjal and a small piece of crushed Galangal root. Add One tablespoon Cumin, 4 Black Peppers and One tablespoon dried Ginger powder. Add 3 glasses of water. Boil till reduced to One glass. Take One tablespoon twice a day.
- Cough: Mix in a mud pot 6 tablespoons each of Balloon Vine leaves, Climbing Brinjal and a small piece of crushed Galangal root. Add One tablespoon Cumin, 4 Black Peppers and One tablespoon dried Ginger powder. Add 3 glasses of water. Boil till reduced to One glass. Take One tablespoon twice a day.
- Bronchitis: Take equal quantity of Cubeb, Galangal, Licorice and Long Pepper. Grind them together. Boil two teaspoon powder in a cup of water. Add two teaspoon Honey and have lukewarm daily.
- Cough: Grind equal quantity of Cubeb, Galangal, Licorice and Long Pepper. Take one teaspoon with two teaspoon Honey daily.
- Bad breathe: Chew a small quantity crushed root stock of Galangal with Betel leaf.
- Cough: Take one tsp. powder of Galangal, Abies Spectabilis, Long Pepper, and Licorice. Add some water to make a paste. Heat it with 4 cups of water until it boils. Take this decoction, thrice a day with honey.
- Cough: Soak a small piece of Galangal root stock in 250 ml boiled water for 3 hours. Add some Date Palm sugar in it. Take 3 tsp. thrice a day.
- Tonsillitis: Take equal quantity of Licorice, Sweet Flag and Galangal. Grind them together. Have a teaspoon with Honey once a day
- Libido Booster: Take the dried form of 20 gram Cnidium, 20 gram Chinese Gall, 20 gram Ligusticum Wallichii Root, 20 gram Leaves and Stem of Horny Goat Weed, 20 gram Morinda Officinalis Root, 20 gram Chufa Root, 20 gram Roots and Rhizomes of Notopterygium, 20 gram Flower of Magnolia Bark, 20 gram of Galangal Rhizomes, 8 to 10 Garlic Cloves, 30 gram Schisandra Fruit, 10 gram Cinnamon Bark and 30 gram Roots and Rhizomes of Spikenard. Powder them together. Have half teaspoon with milk for a few nights. This formula boosts libido, in both men and women. Better results have been found especially in females. It warms up the body and enhances sex stamina.
Culinary Uses
- Galangal rhizome is widely used as spice.
- Rhizome is a common ingredient in soups and curries and is used fresh, frozen, dried or in powder form.
- Fresh rhizome of A. galanga has a characteristic fragrance as well as pungency; hence, its rhizome is used as an essential component in Thai curries paste.
- Fresh galangal has a pure and refreshing odor and a mildly spicy flavor; it is the galanga of choice for all Thai foods.
- Rhizome is a common ingredient in Thai soups like Tom yam, Tom Khaa and Thai, Malaysian and Indonesian curries, where it is used fresh in chunks or thin slices, mashed and mixed into curry paste, or dried and powdered.
- Spice is commonly used in Indonesian fried rice, Nasi Goreng.
- Malaysian and Indonesian beef rendang is usually spiced with galangal.
- There are many different recipes of rendang. Essentially rendang comprises chunks of beef cooked in thick coconut milk together with dried chilies, garlic, turmeric, ginger, Salam leaves and galangal.
- Some recipes used these together with cinnamon, black pepper and even fennel.
- Galangal is used as flavoring in bean curd in Java and also used in sauces.
- Essential oil from the rhizome is used to flavor ice cream, alcoholic drinks, liqueurs, cakes and pastries.
- It is used as a flavoring for beverages and spirit including nastoika, liquor in Russia.
- Flower buds, leaves and young shoots are also eaten as spice or vegetable.
- Fruits occasionally used as substitute for cardamom.
- Galangal is commonly used as a flavoring herb in many dishes of Thai cuisines such as seafood and meat dishes.
- Thin slices of galangal are added in soups along with lime leaves and lemongrass for an exquisite flavor.
- Galangal is also a chief ingredient in many spicy pastas and sauces made with garlic and chilies.
- Flowers and young shoots can be eaten raw, steamed as a vegetable, or used as a spice.
- Flowers and flower buds are eaten raw, they can also be steamed, pickled, added to soups, mixed with chili paste etc.
Selection and storage of galangal
Although galangal is harvested during the summer and fall, it is available all year round. You can buy it from Asian stores, particularly Thai grocery stores. When buying galangal, look for small ones having firm and unblemished skin. Avoid the ones that appear to be wrinkled, as they are old and dry. Smaller rhizomes are softer and tender and are easy to cut.
Unlike ginger, it is not necessary to peel galangal. Just rinse the root thoroughly under cold water and get rid of any dirt on the skin, and then pat dry. Galangal can stay fresh for up to two to three weeks when stored in the vegetable drawer of a refrigerator. To store in the refrigerator, first clean and dry the root and then wrap it in plastic wrap. It would be good if you could first wrap it in a damp cloth and then place the root in a plastic bag. Another way of storing galangal is to cut the unpeeled rhizome into small slices, wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it. This way it will keep fresh for up to three months without losing its flavor.
Dosage and Administration
Galangal root is used as a tincture, a decoction or in powder form and as a medicine; the recommended daily dose of the herb is usually around 6 g.
As a tea: Use half to one teaspoon of the coarsely ground root in a cup of boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes. Drink three cups daily half an hour before meals.
To enhance digestion: Use 20 drops of tincture in 1 ml of warm water three times daily. For nausea and motion sickness use the tea or 250 mg of ground root in capsules twice daily.
Other Facts
- Rhizomes also have insecticidal properties.
- Studies showed that hexane crude extract of galangal rhizome gave the highest control efficiency of adult Bactrocera dorsalis.
- The plant is the source of essential oil, called Essence d’ Amali.
Precautions
- Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- The 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
References
