Galangal root cut
Rhizome of the Zingiberaceae family, close to ginger, from the Alpinia galanga or Alpinia officinarum variety.
Presentation
Rhizome of the Zingiberaceae family, close to ginger, from the Alpinia galanga or Alpinia officinarum variety.
Lesser galangal ( Alpinia officinarum ) or common galangal belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. The genus Alpinia has around 200 species of evergreen rhizomatous perennials, originating from the edges of light woods in the humid tropical regions of India, Southeast Asia and Australia. Lesser galangal, as well as greater galangal, have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
The plant can reach 1.5m in height or even more for certain ornamental species, not hardy at all, generally grown in greenhouses, preferably in the ground, because the imposing and powerful roots are unsuitable for growing in pots.The galangal rhizome contains an aromatic essence rich in alpha-pinene, cineole, and linalool, as well as sesquiterpene lactones, including galangol and galangin.
Properties
Galangal is recognized for its digestive and tonic virtues
Lesser galangal ( Alpinia officinarum ) or common galangal belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. The genus Alpinia has around 200 species of evergreen rhizomatous perennials, originating from the edges of light woods in the humid tropical regions of India, Southeast Asia and Australia. Lesser galangal, as well as greater galangal, have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
Alpinia officinarum , lesser galangal, and Alpinia galanga , greater galangal, are plant relatives of ginger ( Zingiber officinale ). Besides the reddish brown, fleshy, knotty, very aromatic rhizome has a scent of ginger with a burning flavor. It bears sturdy, reed-like stems with long, semi-rigid leaves and red-veined white flowers clustered together to form a branching inflorescence. The fruits are globose ovoid capsules containing the seeds.
These are the digestive virtues of galangal which are recognized today in herbal medicine: it is used against difficult digestions, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and to help the expulsion of intestinal gas. Galangal would help treat ulcers and relieve chronic or temporary inflammation of the digestive tract.
Already in the Middle Ages, this "spice of life" was also credited with stimulating, tonic, stomachic and carminative properties.
Its antibacterial, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and expectorant effects lead galangal to be used against sore throats, coughs and bronchitis.
The great galangal would have, in addition, aphrodisiac powers on the libido of women...
Galangal has many benefits on digestion, as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic, spasmolytic, stomachic and de-stressing properties.
Galangal is said to have antiemetic properties, that is to say against nausea and vomiting, especially against motion sickness, but also against pregnancy nausea, but in small doses, and with the doctor's agreement.
It has tonic properties to fight against asthenia and all its symptoms: weakening, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, loss of libido, etc.
In traditional Chinese medicine, galangal is prescribed for abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and for its antibacterial effects. It is also credited with an action against pain, in particular against rheumatic pain and osteoarthritis.
Galangal is renowned for its antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral and antitussive properties, which makes it an immune system stimulant and a natural remedy against winter ailments: colds, flu, nasopharyngitis, etc.
Use
Galangal comes and is used in different ways:
in infusion : 1 teaspoon of dried rhizome in powder or cut / 15 cl, to infuse 5 to 10 minutes (to digest)
in decoction : 1 teaspoon of dried powdered or chopped rhizome / 15 cl, boil for 5 to 10 minutes and leave to infuse for as long (to relieve respiratory ailments),
