Description:
Lesser galangal (scientific name: alpinia officinarum) is a plant in the ginger family, cultivated in Southeast Asia. Native to China, the plant can grow several feet high, with long leaves and reddish-white flowers. The rhizomes, known as galangal (Gao Liang Jiang, 高良姜), are highly valued for their sweet spicy flavor and aromatic scent. These are used throughout Asia in curries and perfumes, and had been used commonly in Europe. Galangal is used in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) as dampness eliminator and cold-dispelling drug, it also enhances the function of spleen and stomach.
Odour & Nature:
Pungent, warm-natured,
Channels:
Galangal functions by influencing the spleen and stomach.
Indications & Formulas:
Cooked wine with calcined galangal is taken to treat acute gastritis.
Boiled water with galangal is taken to cope with beri-beri.
Powdered galangal and trogopterus dung is taken with vinegar soup to treat chronic stomachache.
Powdered galangal, dried ginger and rice paste are processed into pills for oral taking after meal to strengthen the spleen and stomach.
A decoction of fried galangal, dried ginger and pig’s bile is taken orally to treat malaria with chills.
Powdered galangal is snorted to relieve painful red eyes.
Powdered galangal and calcined scorpion is applied externally to treat swollen gums.
A decoction of amomum kravanh fruits, galangal, fresh ginger juice and flour is taken orally on an empty stomach to cope with dyspepsia (a pain or an uncomfortable feeling in the upper middle part of the stomach).
Contraindication & Cautions:
Elderly and infirm should be cautious when taking medicine that contains galangal.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.