- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Southern China
Asia · Herb · № 832
Alpinia officinarum
Herb · Asia
Lesser galangal
Alpinia officinarum
An aromatic rhizome traditionally used for digestive complaints.
Safety notes
Few known risks in culinary use. Never use it in place of treatment for heart complaints.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Western herbalism: Chest pain belongs with a doctor.
Preparation
Dried root as a powder or tea, or as a spice.
Use in traditions
Known in Chinese medicine as gao liang jiang. Used in Europe since the Middle Ages; Hildegard of Bingen praised galangal for heart complaints, among other things.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Hildegard of Bingen praised galangal for heart complaints and a weak stomach; in Europe it became a remedy for digestive complaints, nausea and travel sickness.
Preparation and amount
Dried rhizome as a powder, tea or in a bitter. No dosage is given here.
Caution: Chest pain belongs with a doctor.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Powder and kitchen