What is galangal? Also commonly known as the Thai or Siamese ginger, galangal is an ingredient in its own. It’s a healing spice and also a curative plant overall. The root is more commonly used and it resembles ginger. But, its skin is more smooth and pale. Also, the flesh feels fresher and has a harder texture. Both the galangal plant along with the galangal root benefits you immensely. From the culinary aspect, it’s quite a special and expensive ingredient. In Ayurveda, Galangal or Kulanjana helps fight several illnesses.

What Is Galangal?

Galangal is a worthy addition to your pantry. It’s a wonderful substitute to ginger and a significant ingredient in Asian cuisines. Although it belongs to the ginger family, its aroma and taste are quite powerful and somewhat different. The spice is pungent in taste, easy on digestion, dry in nature and hot in potency. It reduces the vitiated Vata as well as Kapha.

• Greater Galangal (Alpinia Galanga)

The greater galangal has blade-like leaves. Galangal leaves are specially used for the preparation of soups, curries as well as salads.

• Lesser Galangal (Alpinia Officinarum)

Being small in size, Alpinia officinarum or the lesser galangal leaves are long as well as slender. The roots grow slender fingers.

Galangal Benefits

• It’s a Vata pacifying root.
• Galangal root benefits to fasten your metabolism.
• It protects your liver from any oxidative damage.
• The galangal leaves and root have an antidiabetic effect lowering spikes in the blood glucose levels.
• Alpinia Galanga or the greater galangal benefits in regulating high blood pressure as well as cholesterol.
• It prevents the development of cancer cells.
• Having an antiseptic as well as an anti-inflammatory impact, it’s great for your skin health.
• It has an analgesic effect to reduce edema and arthritis pain.
• Fresh and dried galangal root benefits in eliminating bacterial as well as fungal infections.
• The spice is a non-toxic as well as an effective aphrodisiac.
• It’s a potent antispasmodic for itchy and sore throat, hoarseness, COPD, asthma as well as bronchitis.
• It strengthens your digestive system and relieves gas, upset stomach, anorexia along with diarrhea.
• It boosts libido and also increases the sperm count.
• Alpinia Galanga treats chronic halitosis.
• It enhances your immune system.
• The spice also kicks out morning sickness, nausea, weakness, and fatigue.

Dosage

What is galangal root’s recommended dosage?

• 3gms root powder mixed in water or honey is beneficial for respiratory issues.
• Rub the Alpinia galanga powder over the penile region for sexual problems.
• 2gms root powder mixed in buttermilk cures digestive problems.
• Simply chew a small piece of Alpinia galanga to rid bad breath and toothache.

Side Effects

Galangal benefits are incredible. But since it’s a nerve stimulant, excessive consumption can be dangerous for people with hypertension. Other than this, there are no major side effects.

Note: Posts on Ayurvedum are solely for the purpose of sharing the goodness of Ayurveda and bringing awareness about natural and healthy living. Please do not substitute it for professional medical advice. Ingredients discussed can interfere with certain medications. So, before using anything to treat yourself, always consult an Ayurveda doctor or practitioner.