Galangal - Uses and Side Effects

Alpinia officinarium, catarrh root, China root, Chinese galangal, Chinese ginger, colic root,East India catarrh root, East India root, galanga, Gao Liang Jiang, gargaut, greater galangal, India root

The word galangal, or its variant galanga is used as a common name for all members of the genus Alpinia, and in common usage can refer to four plants, all in the Zingiberaceae (ginger family). Alpinia officinarium rhizome contains a volatile oil, resin, flavonoids, galangol, kaempferide, galangin, and alpinin. The volatile oil may playa role in the herb's active medicinal properties such as calming the stomach. Galangal is available as dried powder, fluid extract, oil, rhizome, and tea.

Reported uses

Galangal is used to relieve flatulence, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and motion sickness. It's also used to treat fevers, colds, cough, sore throat, bronchitis, infection, rheumatism, and liver and gallbladder complaints. Used to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. Used as an antibacterial and antispasmodic. Also used as a spice because of its pungent and spicy flavor and as a perfume. Used in homeopathic medicine as a stimulant.

Administration

Infusion (pour 150 ml boiling water over 0.5 to 1 g [1 teaspoon = 2 g] of herb, and then strain after 10 minutes): 1 cup 30 minutes before meals

Tincture: 2 to 4 ml by mouth every day (2 to 4 g)

Rhizome: 2 to 4 g by mouth every day.

Hazards

High doses of essential oil may cause hallucinations. Acid-inhibiting drugs, such as antacids, sucralfate, H2 antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors, may interact with this herb due to alpinia's increase of stomach acid.

Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should avoid use.

Clinical considerations

Galangal isn't widely used in the United States and may be difficult to obtain. Warn patient to use caution when obtaining products from unknown origins.

This herb may interfere with the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.

Advise patient that dosing may be difficult if he's using galangal powder that's made for cooking. Tell him to consult a health care provider with a background in natural medicine before use.

Warn patient that the essential oil may cause hallucinations.

Tell patient to remind pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a new prescription.

Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a conventional treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

Decoctions of this herb are reported in the literature to show inhibitory effects in vitro against many pathogenic bacteria, including the anthrax bacillus, hemolytic Streptococcus, and various strains of Staphylococcus.

Dilute decoctions of this herb are also reported in the literature to have a stimulatory effect on guinea pig intestinal specimens of smooth muscle, while higher concentrations showed an inhibitory effect.

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