Alpinia officinarum HANCE.

English Name : Lesser Galangal

Family : Zingiberaceae

Origin : China

Description

Rhizomes elongate, terete. Pseudostems 40-110 cm. Leaves sessile; ligule lanceolate, entire, 2--3(--5) cm, membranous; leaf blade linear, 20-30 × 1.2-2.5 cm, glabrous, base attenuate, apex caudate. Racemes erect, 6-10 cm; rachis tomentose; bracteoles very small, less than 1 cm. Pedicel 1-2 mm. Calyx 8-10 cm, puberulent, apex 3-toothed. Corolla tube slightly shorter than calyx; lobes oblong, ca. 1.5 cm, central one hoodlike. Labellum white with red streaks, ovate, ca. 2 cm. Filament ca. 1 cm; anther ca. 6 mm. Ovary tomentose. Capsule red, globose, ca. 1 cm in diam.

Parts Used : Root and rhizome

Herb Effects
Stimulant, carminative, diuretic and antimicrobial (rhizome); against pathogenic fungi that cause skin diseases.

Active Ingredients
1,8-Cineole, eugenol, galangin, tannin (rhizome); methyl-cinnamate (plant); kaempferol, kaempferide, quercetin and isorhamnetin (root).

Medicinal Use
Useful in treating dyspepsia, vomiting, in removing flatus, sea-sickness,in cattle medicine, as a diuretic and antimicrobial (rhizome)

Dosage
From 15 to 30 grains in substance, and double in infusion. Fluid extract, 30 to 60 minims.
Infusion: take ½ teaspoonful of the powdered root in 1 cup of boiling water. Let is set 10-15 minutes before drinking. Drink 3 times a day.
Tincture: 1-2 ml 3 times a day.

Reference