Alpinia officinarum / Galangal / Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)

Information

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Description

Lesser Galangal is a perennial herb in the Ginger family that is native to China but has spread to many other areas as well. It is very similar in appearance to common Ginger which is a closely related herb but has a much different taste. Galangal was brought to Britain and northern Europe from the East by crusaders in the 13th Century where it quickly became a highly prized spice due to its hot taste and rosy scent. It was mentioned quite often in Tudor and medieval recipe books. (4)
Lesser Galangal is indigenous to China where it is thought to originate. It is distinct from Greater Galangal in that it is markedly smaller, darker in color and also has a stronger and sweeter taste than Greater Galangal making it more popular. (1)
Aside from being used in cooking, Galangal was also reputed to be powerful in European magic. It this regard it was used for protection and health, to encourage lust and desire, to attract money, to enhance and strengthen psychic powers and to break evil spells (5)

Contents

Volatile oil, Kaempferid, Resin, Galangol, Galangin, Alpinin (2)(3)

Historical

It was first discovered by Mr. Sampson in 1867 near the small village of Tung-sai in southern China and was later researched in more detail by Mr. H. F. Hance in the Journal of the Linnean Society which was published in 1871. (3) The word Galangal is derived from the Arabic word Khanlanjan which is likely a perversion of the Chinese word for mild Ginger. (2)

Galangal also has some medicinal properties according to King’s American Dispensatory. "Galangal is a stimulating aromatic, and has been successfully employed to aid the digestive process, preventing fermentation and removing flatus. It will be found especially useful in some forms of dyspepsia, preventing vomiting or sickness of the stomach, and facilitating digestion". (2)

It has a history of use in folk medicine as a gentle stimulant and as an aid for indigestion and flatulence. (4) It has been used for many years in China and in medieval Europe as well as by the Arabians and the Greeks. At present Lesser Galangal is used widely in Russia where it is added to a liqueur called Nastoika for its flavor and also to Vinegar. It is also highly favored by the Livonian and Estonian peoples. It is also still used to some extent in certain parts of India today. (3)

Plant Description

Lesser Galangal is similar in appearance to common Ginger and has a similar fat, knobbed rhizome. The stem is erect and roughly 2-4 feet in height. The leaves are slender, parallel-veined, 1 foot long, 2-4 inches wide, smooth and sharply acuminate. They are attached to a margined sheath with clasps to the stem. Its flowers are borne in a terminal spike, are white with red veins. (2)(4)

References

(1) Lesser Galangal, Wikipedia
(2) King’s American Dispensatory, Harvey Wickes Felter and John Uri Lloyd
(3) Medicinal Plants, Robert Bentley, Henry Trimen, David Blair.
(4) The Complete Book of Herbs and Spices, Sarah Garland
(5) Galangal, galanga.org