Botanical Overview
Alpinia galanga, commonly known as Greater galangal, Lengkuas, Lawang, or Thai ginger, is a medicinal plant belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. Its rhizome is the primary part used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Native to Southeast Asia including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, it is widely utilized for its aromatic and therapeutic properties.
Energetics
Alpinia galanga exhibits a warming temperature and drying moisture quality. Its taste profile includes pungent, bitter, and bitter-acrid notes. Energetically, it is considered tonifying, with a primary influence on the qi.
Primary Actions
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Carminative
- Digestive stimulant
- Expectorant
- Stimulant
Indications
Western
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Cough
- Bronchitis
- Common cold
Syndromes
- Dyspepsia
- Respiratory infections
- Gastrointestinal spasms
TCM
- Epigastric pain
- Digestive weakness
- Cough
Syndromes
- Spleen yang deficiency
- Cold in the stomach
- Phlegm-dampness
Ayurveda
- Indigestion
- Loss of appetite
- Cough
- Bronchitis
Syndromes
- Vata and Kapha imbalance
- Ama accumulation
Unani
- Weak digestion
- Respiratory complaints
Syndromes
- Saaf-e-Meda (Gastric disorders)
- Zuaf-e-Bawl (Weakness of digestion)
Constituents & Mechanisms
The rhizome contains essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic compounds including galangin, eugenol, and cineole, contributing to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive stimulant effects.
Dosage & Preparations
- Rhizome powder 1-3 g daily
- Decoction of rhizome 2-4 g 1-2 times daily
- Essential oil as flavoring agent in small doses
Safety & Contraindications
Alpinia galanga is generally regarded as safe when used in traditional and culinary doses. High doses may cause gastrointestinal irritation. It should be avoided by individuals allergic to the Zingiberaceae family. Caution is advised during pregnancy and lactation due to limited safety data. Potential interactions include additive effects with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications.
Astrological Correspondences
There are no well-documented planetary or elemental rulers for Alpinia galanga in authoritative esoteric traditions.
Selected References
- Alpinia galanga – PFAF Plant Database
- WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Vol 1 (1999)
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd Edition (2011) by Bosse et al.
- European Medicines Agency HMPC Assessment Report on Galangal Root (2014)