Botanical Overview
Kaempferia galanga, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, is a rhizomatous plant commonly known as Galangal, Aroma ginger, Kencur, and Sand ginger. Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, its rhizome is the primary part used medicinally.
Energetics
Kaempferia galanga is traditionally considered warming and drying in nature. Its taste profile includes pungent, bitter, and aromatic notes. The herb has an ascending directionality and acts as a tonifying herb that primarily moves and supports the qi.
Primary Actions
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Carminative
- Expectorant
- Digestive stimulant
Indications
Western
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Cough
- Common cold
- Bronchitis
- Rheumatic pain
Syndromes
- Digestive weakness
- Respiratory congestion
- Inflammatory conditions
TCM
- Coldness in stomach
- Epigastric pain
- Abdominal distension
- Cough with phlegm
Syndromes
- Spleen and Stomach cold
- Dampness obstruction
- Wind-cold invasion
Ayurveda
- Digestive sluggishness
- Cough
- Cold
- Body ache
Syndromes
- Vata and Kapha imbalance
- Ama (toxicity) accumulation
Unani
- Stomach pain
- Gas
- Respiratory infections
Syndromes
- Cold diseases
- Humoral imbalance
Constituents & Mechanisms
The plant contains important phytochemicals including ethyl p-methoxycinnamate, kaempferol, galangin, cineole, borneol, limonene, terpenoids, and flavonoids, which contribute to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive stimulant actions.
Dosage & Preparations
- Powdered rhizome 1-3 g taken 1-3 times daily
- Decoction of dried rhizome 2-4 g 1-2 times daily
- Essential oil topical application diluted 1-5%
- Tincture 1:5 in 40% ethanol, 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
Safety & Contraindications
Generally regarded as safe when used traditionally. Caution is advised during pregnancy and lactation due to lack of sufficient data. Those allergic to ginger family plants should avoid use. No major interactions reported but caution with anticoagulants is prudent. High doses may cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Astrological Correspondences
No authoritative data found for planetary or elemental rulers.
Selected References
- Kaempferia galanga (Galangal) – Plants For A Future Database
- Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of Kaempferia galanga Linn.: A review – Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2019)
- Kaempferia galanga – WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants (1999)
- Kaempferia galanga L. – Medicinal Plants of Asia and the Pacific (1998)