Dorothy FarrarReal galant
The real galangal (Alpinia officinarum) is a plant from the ginger family. Galangal root is used as a spice and in medicine. The home of the true galangal is on the island of Hainan in Thailand. In the meantime, however, it is also planted throughout Thailand and also in Southeast Asia.
Definition and Occurrence
The galangal is a very herbaceous plant that can grow up to one and a half meters tall. The plant forms racemose inflorescences with bracts. The flowers are white in color with distinctive red lines. The flowering period is from April to September.
The real galangal forms fruit from May to November. The red capsule fruits have a diameter of one centimeter. Only the root of the galangal is used as a remedy and spice. This rhizome grows horizontally and is slender and cylindrical in shape. It can grow up to a meter long and smells very spicy. The taste is aromatic, pungent and slightly bitter. Galangal root is similar in appearance and taste to ginger root .
Ingredients, effect and dosage
The root of the real galangal contains various ingredients that are medicinally and pharmaceutically effective. But not only each individual ingredient is effective on its own, what is special about galangal is the combination of active ingredients. The main ingredients are pungent substances and essential oils . A relevant essential oil of real galangal is 1,8-cineol. Camphor derivatives are also included. The flavonoid quercetin also plays a special role in the effect of the plant . The same applies to the two pungent substances diarylheptanoid and phenylcanon.The essential oils are responsible for the anticonvulsant and digestive effect of galangal. The aromatic spice plant stimulates the appetite . The ingredients reflexively lead to an increased production of digestive enzymes and digestive juices. The pungent substances in galangal also stimulate the intestines . Intestinal motility increases and the food consumed can be better digested. The plant also has a decongestant effect.
The real galangal also has an antiphlogistic effect . Inflammation in the body is usually mediated by special inflammatory mediators, prostaglandins. The galangal root counteracts the excessive formation of prostaglandins and can thus prevent inflammation or alleviate inflammatory symptoms. But the galangal not only has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect . Thanks to its fungicidal ingredients, the plant is also effective against fungi .
Studies have also shown that galangal has a tumor-inhibiting effect. It also protects cells from the harmful effects of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. With the usual daily dose of two to four grams of galangal root per day, there are no known side effects or risks. Nevertheless, the dosage should always be based on the package leaflet or the doctor’s instructions.
What does the real galangal help against?
- hyperacidity of the stomach
- indigestion
importance to health
Due to its anticonvulsant and deflating effect, the real galangal is mainly used for complaints of the gastrointestinal tract. Possible indications are lack of appetite, heartburn, hyperacidity of the stomach, upper abdominal pain, indigestion or a feeling of fullness. A tea made from galangal root is suitable for treating these symptoms. A teaspoon of root is poured over a cup of boiling water. The root should be dried and coarsely ground. The tea should steep, covered, for ten minutes. In this way, a large part of the ingredients goes into the tea water and the ingredients cannot evaporate. Depending on the symptoms, two to three cups of galangal tea per day are recommended.
Alternatively, the real galangal can also be taken in a tincture. In case of indigestion, it should be taken half an hour before eating. The tincture has also proven effective in Roemheld syndrome. In Roemheld syndrome, gas build-up in the gastrointestinal tract causes heart problems. The flatulence-inducing galangal can help here. The tincture is quite easy to make yourself. 10 grams of galangal root and 50 grams of strong alcohol are required. The crushed root is placed in a bottle or glass and the alcohol poured over it. The tincture must then steep for three weeks. Then it can be filtered through a sieve. The recommended dose is 15 drops three times a day.
Real galangal has a very special meaning in the medicine of Hildegard von Bingen. Here it is not only used as a stomach and bile remedy, but also as an indispensable and universal heart remedy. Hildegard von Bingen even described galangal as the spice of life.Many of the old Hildegard von Bingen recipes with galangal are still made today. The combination of fennel and galangal has proven particularly effective for digestive problems . It can be administered as a tea, but it is easier to use lozenges or chewable tablets.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.