Galangal

Greater galangal, laos, galangale, galang-- whatever name you give it, galangal is recognized across the planet as one of the world's most useful rhizomes. Galangal Root is an extraordinary and highly revered medicinal agent in indigenous healing techniques including those of the Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese and Thai schools of medicine. From stomach gas to cancer, this unique, reed-like perennial herb has been well known throughout the ages for its many healing and stimulating properties. 

The stems of the root grow up to 3 feet high and are covered by sheaths of narrow, blade- like leaves. The flowers are greenish-white with a dark, red veined tip; the fruits are red berries. The rhizomes (roots) are orange to brown and are ringed at intervals by the yellowish remnants of atrophied leaf bases. They resemble ginger root in appearance and have an aromatic, spicy and pungent odor and flavor similar to that of the more widely known ginger root. 

Galangal is widely used across the south eastern coast of Asia in areas like Indonesia, Malaysia, India, China and the rest of "SouthEast Asia" as a popular flavoring spice in a variety of dishes. It has a pungent, hot and spicy taste with an aromatic, ginger-like odor, mixed with an earthy, pine-like flavor. Like garlic, ginger, clove and other carmine roots, galangal has the taste of a very dense spice with extremely mild sweet tones. The sweetness (or rather the faint-hint of citrus in this case), however, is rather hard to appreciate during the burning sensation that results from concentrated dosages. This is probably why, in traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said to "warm the middle" and alleviate various bodily pains, particularly in the abdomen. Like ginger, galangal is a "de- fisher" (balancing the strong fish taste in seafood dishes) and can be found often in fish and shellfish recipes, usually with garlic, ginger, chili, and in satays, chicken, meat and vegetable curries. Galangal Root appears on the market as branched or single rhizomes. It is found mainly in Asian markets where it is sold fresh, frozen, dried or powdered. 

This botanical cousin to ginger was recognized to be superior in many ways and was introduced to western medicine fairly recently. Indigenous cultures have been aware of the benefits and healing properties of galangal for millennia. Many of its traditional uses include alleviating illness and injury and restoring reproductive health. The West's exposure to this herb came during the crusades of the Christian Knights who were introduced to it by the victims of their slaughter. It has been used in western medicine only in the last thousand years or so. 

Digestive Benefits 

Galangal is most commonly known for its ability to promote efficiency in the digestive system. This is because galangal promotes the secretion of gastric juices, helps peristalsis and relieves gas in the gastrointestinal tract. It is actually known to perform these actions some what aggressively, which is why it produces such a warming effect. Ironically it tends to be quite soothing even under circumstances. It is often utilized for dispelling those disturbing gases that make one want to vomit after a heavy meal. What is less known is that these same gases, a result of weak or sluggish digestion, circulate throughout the system causing a variety of spasms. These spasms may include everything from hiccups to sharp cardiac pains or heartburn. Galangal also helps the intestine pains process fats that can cause various harms to the body. Because of the digestive health and intestinal hygiene that galangal promotes, it is often sought after as a treatment for halitosis. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties also make galangal an excellent deodorizer. Galangal also contains a flavonoid called galangin (hence the name) which exerts a protective effect against the carcinogenic potential of overcooked or char-grilled foods. Galangin has also been shown to be an antioxidant and a potent preserver of cells that protect the body against cellular toxicity. This quality explains why galangal root is anti-carcinogenic, and a protectant and healer of various organs in the body.

Added Health Benefits:

Galangin, as mentioned, has a proven anti-oxidative effect on the bodily tissues and helps other protective antioxidants. These antioxidants include vitamins E, C and other flavonoids that actively help to prevent heart disease, lower high blood pressure and improve circulation. It has been used for spleen enlargement, catarrh, bronchitis, liver and gallbladder disorders, as well as respiratory and heart stimulation. Galangal is excellent at supporting the body's battle against dangerous, reactive cells (free radicals) that can compromise bodily functions. For centuries, galangal has been recognized throughout indigenous cultures as a powerful dispersing agent with analgesic properties. In other words, it is an effective pain killer. This is why it is so useful in various aches and pains, including abdominal, heartburn/indigestion, rheumatic pains, arthritis, sore feet, sore gums and other inflammatory disorders. Analgesic herbs are also known to affect the peripheral and central nervous systems in various ways. This quality gives galangal root its reputation for relieving sea sickness, headaches and nausea. Galangal is very useful in alleviating the dizziness and nausea associated with morning sickness as well as motion sickness. The Phytochemical and Ethno- botanical Databases for the United States Department of Agricultural Research Service lists this plant constituent as anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, cancer preventive and as an aromatase inhibitor.

Dosage:

Galangal is used and made into an herbal infusion. This is prepared by using half a teaspoonful of the powdered rhizome to infuse for ten to fifteen minutes in a cup of boiling water. This dose of infusion can be taken one to four times daily. Galangal is also made into an herbal tincture, and doses of one to two ml of the tincture are usually taken three times daily for as long as needed. They work particularly well when used topically for ring worms and other related conditions.