Galangale rhizoma

Galangae rhizoma, also called galangal rootstock, is a drug produced from the crushed rootstock of the plant. In accordance with the guidelines of Commission E, the drug is used, among other things, to treat dyspeptic complaints, slight loss of appetite, and mild biliary colic.

Galangae rhizoma contains 0.5 to 1 % essential oil, pungent substances consisting of various diarylheptanoids (alpinol, galangol) and gingerol (phenylalkanol) as well as flavonoids.

Galangae rhizoma has spasmolytic, antibacterial and antiphlogistic effects. The antiphlogistic effect is achieved by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

Galangae rhizoma is used for dyspeptic complaints, loss of appetite, mild biliary colic and painful upper abdominal syndrome (Roemheld complex).

Folk: Chinese traditional medicine: as an aromatic, stomachic, analgesic and antiemetic, also for rheumatism, bronchial catarrh and respiratory problems, especially in children. It is also used as a tonic, stimulant and aphrodisiac. Its effectiveness for these indications has not yet been proven.

The daily dose is 2 to 4 g of the drug or tincture.

There are no known adverse effects.

There are no known contraindications.

There are no known interactions with other drugs.

Galangae rhizoma has a high value in popular medicine for numerous, insufficiently validated indications, both as a monodrug and in fixed combinations.

1. Hermann PT et al (2014) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary, 11th edition, De Gruyter Verlag Berlin/Boston p. 69
2. Lin LY et al(2015) Antihyperlipidemic bioactivity of Alpinia officinarum (Hance) Farw Zingiberaceae can be attributed to the coexistence of curcumin, polyphenolics, dietary fibers and phytosterols. Food Funct 6:1600-1610
3. Schilcher H (2016) Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, p. 132 f.