The efficacy and function of Greater Galangal

Alpinia galanga can not only supplement the body's nutritional elements, but also help regulate various functions of the body. It also has high medicinal value. Today, I will take you to learn about Alpinia galanga.

[Other names] Alpinia galanga, Alpinia officinalis, Alpinia officinalis

[Source] Medicinal material source: The rhizome of Alpinia galanga of the ginger family.

[Original form] Alpinia galanga, perennial tufted herb, 1.5-2.5m tall. The rhizome is thick, round, noded, brown-red and slightly spicy. Leaves in 2 rows, without petiole or very short; leaf blade oblong or broadly lanceolate, 30-50cm long, 6-140cm wide, acute at apex, cuneate at base; margin obtuse, often brown-white, glabrous on both sides or with long soft hairs on the back; ligule 5-10mm long, obtuse at apex. The panicle is terminal, erect, 14-32cm long and 4-8cm in diameter. The axis of the inflorescence is densely pubescent and much-branched. The involucral bracts are linear, about 20cm long. The bracteoles are lanceolate or narrowly oblong, 1-2cm long. The flowers are green-white and fragrant. The calyx is tubular, with 3 shallow lobes at the top that are unequal and have cilia. The corolla tube is slightly equal in length to the calyx tube, with 3 lobes, oblong, and the lip is obovate to oblong, 2.5-3cm long and 8-12mm wide, claw-shaped at the base with red stripes. There is 1 stamen, at the base of the lip. The ovary is inferior, glabrous, and the style is slender with a slightly swollen stigma. The capsule is oblong, does not crack, is 1-1.5cm long, about 7mm wide, slightly contracted in the middle, and orange-red when ripe. Seeds polygonal, brown-black. The flowering period is from June to July, and the fruiting period is from July to October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows on hillsides, grasslands or bushes in the wilderness.

[Properties] Property identification: The rhizome is cylindrical and branched. 8-12cm long, 2-3cm in diameter. The surface is reddish brown or dark purple, with segments formed by wavy light yellow leaf scars. The internodes are 0.5-1 cm long and have longitudinal wrinkles. There are root scars on the underside of the rhizome. The texture is tough and not easy to break. The cross section is gray-brown or reddish-brown and fibrous. The cortex accounts for 2/3. The endodermis is obvious, the vascular bundles are clearly visible, and the xylem is separated from the cortex. It has a fragrant aroma and a spicy taste. The best ones are those with fewer branches, reddish-brown color, and strong fragrance.

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[Pharmacological action] 1. Expectorant effect: The petroleum ether extract of Alpinia galanga has a good expectorant effect on rabbits and increases the secretion of bronchial glands; the volatile part can directly stimulate the bronchial glands; the non-volatile part produces an effect through the reflection of the gastric mucosa.

[Identification] Physical and chemical identification: Take 1g of crude powder of this product, add 10ml of ether, soak for 15 minutes, shake from time to time, and filter. After the filtrate is evaporated to dryness, an aromatic and spicy oily substance is obtained. Add 1 drop of concentrated sulfuric acid and 1 crystal of vanillin to produce a brown or yellow-green oily substance. (Check flavonoids)

[Processing] Take the original medicinal materials, remove impurities, wash, soak, cut into thick slices, dry, and sieve out the ash.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy; warm

【Functions and indications】Warms the stomach; dispels cold; promotes qi circulation and relieves pain. Mainly used for cold pain in the stomach; vomiting and diarrhea caused by indigestion

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-5g; or made into pills or powder. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash fresh product for application.

【Note】 Yunnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Annals: "People with stomach heat should not take this medicine."

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

I believe that friends who were not very clear about Alpinia galanga at the beginning should now have mastered the relevant knowledge about Alpinia galanga. I hope this article can be helpful to you.