Galangal

Galangal, also known as Alpinia officinarum, galangal root, lesser galangal, galangal, or Siam galangal, belongs to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and originally comes from southern China. The plant has been valued for centuries in traditional Chinese and European monastic medicine. Mainly the underground rootstock (rhizome) is used, which has an aromatic, pungent taste and can unfold a wide range of health effects. As early as the Middle Ages, Galangal was praised by Hildegard von Bingen as the “spice of life” and is still used today in naturopathy, but also in the kitchen as a spice.

What benefits does Galangal offer?

Galangal is a plant that is used in naturopathy for a wide variety of complaints. Science partly supports the effects proclaimed in traditional medicine and likewise points to great medicinal potential. As always, however, these studies should be viewed critically, since the results are not readily transferable and some of them are animal studies, which make a transfer even more difficult. More research is necessary to be able to draw definitive conclusions about the effects.

  • Digestive support: The pungent essential oils are used in traditional medicine to stimulate digestion, relieve flatulence, and help against a feeling of fullness and stomach complaints. Studies also suggest that Galangal could be helpful for various digestive problems (1,2,3,4).
  • Pain-relieving effects: According to scientific research, compounds from the plant can relieve pain and have an analgesic effect (5,6)
  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Studies suggest that active compounds in the Galangal plant could have an anti-inflammatory effect (1,7)
  • Antimicrobial and antioxidant: Studies show that Galangal possesses antioxidant and antibacterial properties that could support the immune system (1,8,9,10,11).
  • Cognitive performance enhancement: Results of scientific research indicate that Galangal might possibly be able to improve memory performance (12,13,14)

How does Galangal work?

The effect of Galangal is based on a variety of bioactive compounds. In addition to essential oils (e.g., cineole) and diarylheptanoids, these are above all flavonoids. The combination of these substances makes Galangal a potentially valuable medicinal and spice plant for holistic use.

Side effects and risks

In moderate amounts, Galangal is considered well tolerated, but a few points should be noted before taking it, and far more research is necessary to be able to draw definitive conclusions about its effects.

  • Pungent effect: With a sensitive stomach, the pungent taste can lead to irritation.
  • Do not overdose: In very high doses, Galangal can cause stomach complaints or nausea.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Use should be coordinated with a doctor here, as there is not enough evidence regarding use in pregnant women.

Conclusion

Galangal is a medicinal plant rich in tradition with a potentially broad spectrum of effects. Its pungent compounds also make it a valued spice in the kitchen. As with all medicinal plants: the right dosage is crucial, and intake should only take place under the supervision of medical professionals.

Sources:

  1. Xia, L., Wang, J., Zuo, K., Xia, T., Zhang, J., Xu, X., Liu, Q., & Li, X. (2024). Alpinia officinarum Hance: A comprehensive review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetic and pharmacology. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, 1414635. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1414635
  2. Wang Haiyan, L. Y., Haiyan, L., Qianjin, F., Guo, J., and Niu, X. (2011). Effects of oils in alpinia officinarum hance on serum motilin, somatostatin, substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide in gastrelcosis mice mode. Chin. J. Exp. Tradit. Med. Formulae 17, 105–107. doi:10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.2011.04.038
  3. Gui, B., Gao, Z. H., Jia, Z., Li, K. P., Yang, C. Y., Wu, J. H., et al. (2021). Comparative study on gastrointestinal spasmolysis and analgesic effects of different extracts from alpinia officinarum. Tradit. Chin. Drug Res. Clin. Pharmacol. 32, 158–164. doi:10.19378/j.issn.1003-9783.2021.02.002
  4. Cheng, Y., Li, J., Liao, X. D., Lin, Z. P., Zhu, Y. Z., Ye, H., et al. (2015). Effect of active components of galangal extract on smooth muscle of isolated intestine in rabbits. J. Guangdong Med. Univ. 33, 649–652.
  5. Liang, W. N., Jiang, T., Chen, Y. F., Feng, Y. F., Chu, B., Fan, H. Q., et al. (2013). Effect of total flavonoids from alpinia officinarum on visceral hypersensitivity in rat model with irritable bowel syndrome and analgesic effects. Chin. J. Exp. Tradit. Med. Formulae 19, 263–267. doi:10.11653/zgsyfjxzz2013070263
  6. Cha, W. (2015). The effect and mechanism of galangin on airway inflammation in bronchial asthma. Nanjing Medical University.
  7. Chen, Y., Jiang, T., Tang, C., Feng, Y., and Yang, C. (2009). Experimental study of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of total flavonoids from Alpinia officinarum Hance. J. Guangdong Pharm. Univ. 25, 188–191. doi:10.16809/j.cnki.1006-8783.2009.02.025
  8. Lin, Z. P., Li, Y. T., Liao, X. D., Zhang, J. N., Ye, H., Lin, W. H., et al. (2017) Comparison of antioxidant activity in different components of Alpinia Officinarum extract, 35. Journal of Guangdong Medical University, 606–609+613.
  9. Xia, D., Li, J., Liu, J., Wang, H., and Ren, Q. (2009). The ultrasonic extraction and antioxidant effects of total flavonoids from alpinia officinarum hance in vitro. J. Chin. Inst. Food Sci. Technol. 9, 63–69. doi:10.16429/j.1009-7848.2009.03.030
  10. Ouyang, J., Sun, F., Feng, W., Xie, Y., Ren, L., and Chen, Y. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of galangin and its effects on murein hydrolases of vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) strain Mu50. Chemotherapy 63, 20–28. doi:10.1159/000481658
  11. Ouyang, J., Sun, F., Feng, W., Sun, Y., Qiu, X., Xiong, L., et al. (2016). Quercetin is an effective inhibitor of quorum sensing, biofilm formation and virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J. Appl. Microbiol. 120, 966–974. doi:10.1111/jam.13073
  12. Zhai, H., WangZhang, H., CaiCai, H., Mei, W., and Dai, H. (2014b). Neuroprotective effect of extracts from alpinia officinarum hance on PC12 cells. J. Trop. Biol. 5, 78–83. doi:10.15886/j.cnki.rdswxb.2014.01.006
  13. Huang, L. P., Zhong, X. Q., Zhou, X. Y., Deng, M. Q., Wu, M. J., and Deng, M. Z. (2022). Galangin alleviates learning and memory impairments in APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice by regulating Akt/MEF2D/Beclin-1 signaling pathway. China J. Chin. Mater. Medica 47, 2729–2737. doi:10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20211117.705
  14. Abd Rahman, I. Z., Adam, S. H., Hamid, A. A., Mokhtar, M. H., Mustafar, R., Kashim, M. I. A. M., Febriza, A., & Mansor, N. I. (2024). Potential Neuroprotective Effects of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Galangal): A Review. Nutrients, 16(19), 3378. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193378
  15. Ahmed, M., Riaz, S., Ahmad, A., Farooq, R., Mubeen, U., Hussain, M., & Hussain, N. (2023). Alpinia officinarum (Galangal): A beneficial plant review article. Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2023, 1057.