Alpinia officinarum

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Alpinia officinarum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Alpinia
Species:
A. officinarum
Binomial name
Alpinia officinarum
Synonyms

Languas officinarum (Hance) P.H.Hô

Alpinia officinarum, known as lesser galangal, is a plant in the

herbal remedy
.

Etymology

The

Siddha Medicine
and in culinaries.

Description

This

greater galangal which have a stronger peppery pine-like bite that is lacking in the sweeter rhizomes of lesser galangal.[2][3]

Uses

The galangal rhizomes were widely used in ancient and medieval Europe, where they were reputed to smell of roses and taste of sweet spice.[2] Its use in Europe has dramatically declined.

In Asia the rhizomes are ground to powder for use in curries, drinks, and jellies.[2] In India an extract is used in perfumes, and Tartars prepare a tea with it.[3]

Alpinia officinarum contains high concentrations of the

flavonol galangin.[4] Historically, the rhizomes were reputed to have stimulant and digestive effects.[2]

Distribution

Lesser galangal is native to China, growing mainly on the southeastern coast, including Hainan, and is also grown in Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.[2][5] It is also cultivated in India. Hong Kong is the commercial center for the sale and distribution of the lesser galangal.[2]

Common name confusion

Although the common name "lesser galangal" most appropriately refers to Alpinia officinarum, it is sometimes misapplied to other plants, such as

Southeast Asian countries. Cyperus longus is sometimes referred to as "galingal", and has similar uses, with spicy, starchy rhizomes used in cooking.[2] Boesenbergia rotunda
, also called Chinese ginger or fingerroot, is sometimes also referred to as "lesser galangal".

References

  1. ^ "Alpinia officinarum (Lesser Galangal) - Bamboo Land Nursery QLD Australia". Bamboo Land.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-671-73489-3
    .
  3. ^ a b c Grieve, M. "Galangal". From A Modern Herbal, 1931.
  4. PMID 10188874
    .
  5. ^ Nguyễn Tiến Bân (2005). Danh lục các loài thực vật Việt Nam. Tập III (in Vietnamese). Hà Nội: Nhà xuất bản Nông nghiệp. p. 490.

External links

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