Lesser Galangal Root Alpinia officinarum.

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Applications of Galangal:Lesser Galangal.

Lesser Galangal Root Extract CAS Galangin 548-83-4 Alpinia officinarum Extract Radix Galangae photo picture image 1. To treat cold pain in the abdomen due to stomach-cold:

 Like other members of the ginger family, galangal is warming and comforting to the digestion. Galangal has a pleasantly aromatic and mildly spicy taste, and is suitable for all conditions where the central areas of the body need greater warmth. Galangal was introduced into Europe in about the 9th century. The mystic Hildegard of Bingen regarded it literally as the "spice of life," given by God to ward off ill health.

 This herb is always used in mutual enforcement with blast-fried ginger, e.g., Er Jiang Wan.

 2. To treat distending pain in the abdomen due to stomach-cold and stagnation of liver-qi:

 This herb is mostly used together with nutgrass flatsedge rhizome (Rhizoma Cyperi) in order to soothe the liver, regulate the circulation of qi, dispel cold and relieve pain, e.g., Liang Fu Wan.

 3. To treat vomiting due to stomach-cold:

 This herb can be used together with dangshen (Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae), tuckahoe (Poria Cocos), largehead atractylodes rhizome (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), etc.

 4. Nutritional Value:

 Eating five daily servings of vegetables and fruits lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of vegetables and fruits, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.

 5.Chinese medicine:

 In traditional Chinese herbal medicine, galangal is a warming herb used for abdominal pain, vomiting, and hiccups, as well as for diarrhea due to internal cold. When used for hicupps, galangal is combined with codonopsis and Ju ling.

 6.Indian tradition:

 In India and southwestern Asia, galangal is considered stomachic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and a nervine tonic. Galangal is used in the treatment of hiccups, dyspepsia, stomach pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and intermittent fever.

 7.Western herbalism:

 Galangal was introduced into Europe by Arabian physicians well over a thousand years ago. In line with the Chinese and Indian herbal traditions, galangal is mainly used in the West for gas, indigestion, vomiting, and stomach pain. An infusion can be used to alleviate painful canker sores and sore gums. Galangal has long been recommended as a treatment for seasickness, which is not surprising given the well-established ability of its relative ginger to relieve motion sickness.

 8.Candidiasis:

 Galangal can be used with other antifungal herbs as part of a regimen to treat intestinal candidiasis.
 Antibacterial:In Chinese research trials, a decoction of galangal had an antibacterial action against a number of pathogens, including anthrax.
 Antifungal:Research indicates that galangal is distinctly effective against Candida albicans.

 Galangal and Its Oriental Practice:

 Galangal is a rarely discussed plant agent in modern western botanical medicine. It is, however, still widely present in the modern practice of Ayurvedic medicine as well as traditional Chinese and Thai medicines and as a culinary agent in these same cultures. Its inherently warming nature provokes better blood flow through the extremities and imparts a warm, comforting sensation to the stomach when it is distressed. It makes a phenomenal addition to soup recipes. There are two chemical principles in galangal that have been studied quite intensely over the past few years, the flavonoid galangin and the phenylpropanoid 1'-acetoxychaovicol acetate. A review of these two more researched constituents is as follows:

 Galangin:an incredible flavonoid with multiple biological activities

 Galangin:Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid with multiple biological activities. It was originally found and characterized from galangal root in 1881. It has since been found in many other plants, and is also a constituent of bee propolis throughout the Mediterranean where it is considered to play an antimicrobial role.

 Against the carcinogenic potential of overcooked, char-grilled foods:Several recent studies with this flavonoid suggest that it may have a potent anti-cancer effect, specifically through inhibition of the detoxification enzyme CYP1A1 and modulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. The implication with this type of research is that this flavonoid exerts a protective effect against the carcinogenic potential of overcooked, char-grilled foods. Galangin has also been shown to be a potent preserver of the endogenous free radical scavenger glutathione, thereby playing another anti-carcinogenic role.

 Prevent heart disease and lipid peroxidation:Recent research has also uncovered several mechanisms by which this particular flavonoid exerts a positive effect in the prevention of heart disease. Galangin has a proven anti-oxidative effect on endothelial tissues and acts to help preserve other protective antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C and other flavonoids, in this function it also serves to prevent lipid peroxidation.

 Inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase family of enzymes:Galangin also exerts a strong inhibitory effect on the cyclo-oxygenase family of enzymes, this provides a strong cardioprotective effect by inhibiting the aggregation of platelets, as well as providing a consistent systemic anti-inflammatory effect. These are only a few of the known applications for this incredible flavonoid.

 Aromatase inhibitor:The Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases for the United States Department of Agricultural Research Service lists this plant constituent as anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, cancer preventive and as an aromatase inhibitor.

 Prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen:This last entry deserves additional mention; an aromatase inhibitor specifically prevents the conversion of testosterone to estrogen in both men and women. This aspect of galangin's action provides yet another mechanism for preventing cancer (especially of the breast and prostate) and heart disease.

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citations1.Lesser Galangal Root Alpinia officinarum.

last edit date:21th,May.2009.