Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd.

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 167

Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd.

Names.

Myanmar: padei-kaw gyi, kunsa-gamon, kawain-hnoot (Mon). English: greater galangal.

Range.

India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam. Reported from Myanmar.

Uses.

Stem: The hot, spicy, bitter rhizome is known for its heating properties, for blood and phlegm regulation, controlling cases of poisoning and inflammation, facilitating digestion, keeping the heart healthy, and stimulating the appetite. It is a major component in medications for dysentery, asthma, and heart disease. For difficulty in urination, the paste of the rhizome, made with or without water from washing rice, is taken orally as a diuretic for cases of inability to urinate even though the bladder is full, and for pain and discomfort in urination. With ginger juice and honey, the rhizome is taken as a cure for coughs. Powdered and mixed with samone-byu ( Anisochilus carnosus ) and roasted salt, it is taken for chest pains and stomach pains; mixed with equal amounts of dried ginger rock salt, the powdered rhizome it is a remedy for indigestion. Fevers are treated with the liquid from boiling the rhizome and an effective ngan-hsay (traditional medicine used for high fever).

Notes.

Medicinal uses of this species in India are discussed in Jain and DeFilipps (1991). Medicinal use of this species in China is discussed by Duke and Ayensu (1985).

References.

Agricultural Corporation (1980), Forest Department (1999).