Alpinia officinarum Hance

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 167-168

Alpinia officinarum Hance

Names.

Myanmar: padegaw-gale, padei-kaw lay, kawaintoot (Mon). English: lesser galangal.

Range.

Asia. In Myanmar, found in Bago and Yangon.

Uses.

The lesser galangal ( Alpinia officinarum ) does not have such strong and effective taste and smell as the greater galangal ( A. galanga ). Stem: Mature rhizomes sharp and bitter in taste with heating properties; used to whet the palate and regulate the bowels. The boiled rhizome is ingested to treat excessive urination. Oil from cooking the rhizome can be applied for heaviness of limbs and stiffness in the neck and back. To help prompt or improve speech, a small amount of rhizome paste is given to children for swallowing or rubbed on their tongues.

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).

Reference.

Agricultural Corporation (1980).