The efficacy and function of Alpinia officinalis

Alpinia serrulata has rich nutritional value and high medicinal value. Below we will introduce in detail the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Alpinia serrulata.

[Other names] Jade peach, grass buckle, big ginger, big cardamom, false amomum, earth amomum, grass cardamom

[Source] Medicinal material source: the rhizome and fruit of the Zingiber officinale plant of the Zingiberaceae family.

[Original form] Alpinia galanga, perennial evergreen herb, 1.5-3m tall. The leaves are large and alternate; the petiole is 1-1.5cm long; the ligule is 5-10mm long and covered with hairs on the outside; the leaf blade is lanceolate, 30-60cm long, 5-15cm wide, gradually pointed at the tip with a spiral tip, gradually narrowed at the base, with short soft hairs on the edge, and glabrous on both sides. The panicle is racemose, drooping, up to 30cm long, with purple-red inflorescence axis, covered with pubescence, and very short branches, with 1-2 flowers on each branch; the bracteoles are elliptical, 3-3.5cm long, white, with pink tip, covering the flowers when in bud, and are glabrous; the pedicels are very short; the calyx is nearly bell-shaped, about 2cm long, white, with bright pink color, split on one side, with 2 teeth at the tip; the corolla tube is shorter than the calyx, with oblong lobes, about 3cm long, the rear one is larger, milky white, with pink tip; the lateral reduced stamens are awl-shaped, about 2mm long; the lip is spoon-shaped and broadly ovate, 4-6cm long, with corrugated tip, yellow with purple-red stripes; the stamens are about 2.5cm long; the ovary is covered with golden-yellow coarse hairs; the gland is about 2.5mm long. The capsule is oval, about 2 cm in diameter, covered with sparse coarse hairs and with obvious longitudinal stripes. The tip is often crowned with a persistent calyx and is scarlet when ripe. The seeds are angular. The flowering period is from April to June, and the fruiting period is from July to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in grass at the edge of fields, land, roadsides and ditches, often cultivated in front of and behind houses and in gardens for viewing.

[Properties] Property identification: The fruit is spherical, slightly pointed at both ends, about 2 cm long, 1.5 cm in diameter, yellow-brown, slightly shiny, with more than 10 raised longitudinal ridges, a protrusion at the top, which is the remnant of the perianth, and some have broken fruit stalks at the base. The seed clusters are loosely arranged and easily scattered, and the aril is membranous and white. The seeds are polyhedral, 4-5mm long and 3-4mm in diameter. The taste is light and slightly spicy.

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[Pharmacological action] The water and alcohol extracts of Amomum villosum leaves can inhibit the isolated frog heart and contract the isolated guinea pig intestine, but have no effect on the rectus abdominis muscle of toads and have little toxicity to mice.

【Identification】 Physical and chemical identification: (1) Take 1g of crude powder of this product, add 10ml of petroleum ether, soak overnight, and the filtrate is brown-yellow. Observe under ultraviolet light (365nm), and it will show yellow-white fluorescence. Add 5% vanillin-concentrated sulfuric acid dropwise to develop a purple to dark purple color.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; astringent; warm

【Functions and indications】Warming the middle and drying dampness; promoting qi flow and relieving pain; stopping malaria. Mainly used for cold pain in the heart and abdomen; chest and abdominal distension; indigestion; vomiting and diarrhea; malaria

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 3-9g of seeds or rhizomes; grind seeds into powder, 1.5g each time. For external use: Take appropriate amount and mash the fresh rhizomes for application.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is a detailed description of the effects and edible methods of Alpinia serrulata. Medicines like Alpinia serrulata are very effective in treating diseases. However, it should be noted that when using Alpinia serrulata, it needs to be used in moderation and should not be used too much, otherwise it will not be of any benefit to the body.