Effects and functions of Alpinia officinalis[picture]

Alpinia galanga [picture] is a very nutritious and precious medicinal material. Eating it regularly can have very good effects and functions. So how should we eat Alpinia galanga [picture]? What specific benefits can eating Alpinia galanga [picture] bring to our body? We need to understand some professional knowledge of Alpinia galanga [picture] to answer these questions.

[Other names] Arrow-shaped wind, Jiujianglian, Jiulongpan, Chicken claw lotus [Wuyuan, Jiangxi]

[Source] It is Alpinia japonica Miq., a plant of the genus Alpinia in the Zingiberaceae family, and its rhizome is used as medicine. It can be dug in all seasons, washed and dried. (The fruit is Amomum villosum, see the note under Amomum villosum)

[Original form] Perennial evergreen herb, 40~60 cm tall. The rhizome is branched and multi-noded. The young parts are red and have slender and sparse fibrous roots. The stems are erect and clustered. The leaves are alternate, often arranged in two rows, oblong or nearly lanceolate, 20-40 cm long, 5-7 cm wide, pointed at the apex, cuneate at the base, and densely hairy on the surface. It blooms between May and June. The racemes are borne at the top of the leafy stems, densely covered with rusty hairs, 10 to 15 cm long, with large bracts; the flowers are white with slightly red stripes, with small bracts; the calyx is cylindrical, 1 cm long, red, and densely covered with hairs on the surface. Many seeds.

[Habitat distribution] Grown in the shade and damp places under forests in mountains. Distributed in provinces and regions such as Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy and warm.

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dredge meridians, regulate qi and relieve pain. Used for rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, toothache, and stomachache.

【Usage and Dosage】 1 to 3 coins.

[Additional prescription] 1. Rheumatic arthralgia: 5 qian each of Alpinia galanga root, whole herb of Uncaria rhynchophylla, Digong radix, centipede, and mulberry branch, 1 jin of white wine, soak for 5 days, take 0.5-1 liang of the medicine every day, twice a day.

【Excerpt】 National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines

[Source] Annotations to the Classic of Materia Medica

The above describes some ways to eat Alpinia galanga [picture]. Although many medicinal herbs can be eaten, we must remind everyone that Chinese medicines generally cannot be taken indiscriminately and should be used according to your own situation.