Galangal: Benefits, Side Effects, Composition, And How To Use

Galangal is a spice that looks similar to ginger and has many therapeutic values. This root is native to Southeast Asia and has been used in traditional Asian and Chinese medicine for centuries (1). The benefits of galangal can be attributed to its high levels of phytochemicalsⁱ  They are chemicals produced by plants, usually to help fight off infections, and may also help reduce human inflammation. .

Galangal possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties that help treat many ailments.

This root is also used to treat diabetes, fight cancer, act against inflammatory diseases, and boost male fertility.

This article discusses the health benefits of galangal, its biochemical composition, preparation method, and possible side effects. Take a look.

Know Your Ingredient: Galangal

What Is It?
A spice related to ginger and turmeric, commonly used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

What Are Its Benefits?
It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties. It can treat arthritis, improve liver health, combat infections, and boost fertility.

Who Can Use It?
It is safe for consumption in moderation by all.

How Often?
It can be consumed daily, even twice or thrice a day in small quantities.

Caution
High doses may cause serious side effects, such as excessive urination, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and more.

What Is Galangal?

Galangal (Alpinia officinarum and Alpinia galangal) is a member of the ginger family Zingiberaceae. This perennial herb is indigenous to southeast China and Indonesia and grows in the plains of West Bengal, Assam, and the Eastern Himalayas in India (1) It is also widely used in countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Ayurveda and traditional Chinese and European medicine have used different parts of galangal to treat cold, stomach ache, inflammation, diabetes, ulcers, nausea, diarrhea, eczema, and various acute and chronic conditions (1).

The seed of galangal is used as a mouth freshener, dental cleanser, digestive aid, and laxative. The flowers and tender shoots are used as a spice or vegetable. The root or rhizome is used as a spice and source of essential oil (like ginger).

As it looks, tastes, and feels like ginger, galangal is also called the ‘mild ginger’ (Liang-tiang) in Chinese. Like ginger, galangal contains flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenesⁱ  Terpenes, also known as terpenoids, are naturally occurring substances that give plants their flavors, smells, and even colors. , and essential oils (2).

Want to know how these bioactive components of galangal work together on your body systems? Read the next section to find the answers.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Galangal?

Galangal’s benefits are due to its high content of bioactive compounds that offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

1. May Possess Antidiabetic Properties

According to a 2015 animal study, methanolic extracts of galangal showed antidiabetic potential. Aerial parts of galangal could stimulate the regeneration of insulin-secreting beta-cells in the pancreas. Administering galangal extracts to diabetic rats lowered cholesterol and triglycerideⁱ  A type of fat, either produced by the body or obtained from foods, from which the body gets its energy. levels, improving lipid metabolism and preventing diabetic complications (3).

Galangal extract was found to inhibit carbohydrate metabolism, minimizing the post-meal blood glucose spikes. The glucose-controlling activity was on par with synthetic antidiabetic drugs (4).

Due to its antioxidant activity, this herbal medicine can protect your liver and pancreas from oxidative stress and damage. The polyphenols, alkaloids, triterpenes, steroids, and carbohydrates in galangal are proposed to be responsible for this activity (3).

However, more research is required in this area to understand these benefits on humans.

2. Might Possess Antiproliferative Effects

The aqueous extract of Alpinia galangal can inhibit the proliferation of human gastric tumor cell lines. The galangal rhizome (root) contains two cytotoxic compounds, namely, acetoxychavicolacetate and p-coumaryl alcohol-O-methyl ether, that are known to act against cancer cells (5).

Galangal extracts showed anticancer effects on melanoma (skin) cells, preventing skin cancer (5).

The cytotoxic compounds in this Chinese herb can induce glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver cells. GST eliminates mutagenic compounds and free radicals, thus preventing cancerous changes (6).

However, more research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms and anticancer effects of this medicinal root.

3. May Help To Treat Arthritis And Other Inflammatory Diseases

Galangal rhizomes contain flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosidesⁱ  Naturally occurring plant compounds that store essential plant chemicals and are often used to prepare medications. , and several phenolic compounds. These phytochemicals showed potent anti-inflammatory and analgesicⁱ  Any medication or chemical that temporarily relieves pain caused by an injury or other health condition. effects in animal studies (7).

Galangin down-regulates the expression of genes that produce pro-inflammatory compounds like cytokines and interleukins (8).

As galangal extracts may inhibit COX-1 and 2 and lipoxygenaseⁱ  The chemical process and pathway through which unsaturated fatty acids are converted into other substances. pathways, they could be used to manage arthritis, edema, inflammatory bowel disease, and other inflammatory disorders (9), (10).

4. May Possess Antimicrobial Properties

Researchers claim that the essential oils from dried and fresh galangal rhizomes can eliminate bacteria, yeast, fungi, and parasites. Terpinen-4-ol, one of the monoterpenes in the essential oil derived from fresh galangal rhizome, possesses antimicrobial activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (11).

Acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), a compound isolated from the extract of dried rhizomes, is active against certain dermatophyte (skin-infesting) bacterial species. Among turmeric and ginger, galangal has the most potent inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus (11).

Alpinia galanga is also a broad-spectrum fungicide. It can inhibit fungi and yeast, such as Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton longifusus, Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium oxysporum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Rhizopus stolonifer (12).

May Boost Sperm Count And Motility

Unlike other aphrodisiacs or fertility supplements, galangal is safe and non-toxic. Rat studies showed that 56 days of treatment with galangal rhizome improved spermatogenesis and related parameters (13).

The sperm count and mobility increased after this treatment. The increase in sperm density and motility in cauda epididymis (the storage site for mature sperm) can affect fertilization (13).

Galangal influences the protein production via expression of related genes involved in spermatogenesis. It could, hence, be used in drugs to promote male fertility (13). Clinical data can elucidate the safety of this herbal extract in the future.

Trivia

Hildegard von Bingen, a German historical figure who wrote several books on health, was a fan of Galangal and believed it helped weak hearts and reduced foul breath and fevers.

Let’s look at those phytochemicals in detail.

Biochemical Composition Of Galangal

Most sub-species of galangal have good amounts of flavonoidsⁱ  Flavonoids are a class of organic compounds in plants, including antioxidants, that help in disease prevention and fight inflammation. . Galangin, alpinin, kaempferol, kaempferide, pinene, pineol, chavicol, methyl cinnamate, hydroxycinnamaldehyde, isorhamnetin, camphene, myrcene, p-cymene, borneol, terpineol, 4-terpineol, fenchyl acetate, bornyl acetate, humulene, and zerumbone are a few identified ones (14).

The leaf oil contains myrcene, ocimene, pinene, borneol, caryophyIIene, and bisabolene. The essential oil from galangal flower has a-pinene, sabinene, limonene, phellandrene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, a-terpineol, methyleugenol, patchoulene, caratol, a-farnesene, nerolidol, bisabolol and benzyl benzoate (14).

The galangal fruits contain acetyleugenol acetate and 1′-acetoxychavicol acetate. The seed contains caryophyllene oxide, caryophyllenol, pentadecane, 7-heptadecane, and fatty acid methyl esters (13).

It is because of these terpinols and esters in the essential oils that galangal is used as a perfume or freshener in India and the Middle Eastern countries.

As a bonus, each serving of galangal contains 45 calories and 2 g of dietary fiber. It is also a natural source of sodium, iron, and vitamins A and C (almost like ginger).

That, indeed, is a powerful biochemical profile. No wonder the Chinese obsessed over galangal and made many recipes with it!

Regardless of the biochemical composition of galangal, it is often confused with ginger, its more popular cousin. But the two are different. Learn more about the same in the next section.

Galangal Vs. Ginger

Galangal and ginger are both rhizomes that belong to the Zingiberaceae family and share a similar appearance. However, they differ significantly in taste, aroma, and culinary uses.

Galangal has a tougher, reddish-brown skin and a more peppery, piney flavor with floral and citrus notes. It is commonly used in southeast Asian cuisine, especially in Thai and Indonesian cuisine.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), on the other hand, has a pale yellow skin and a warmer, spicier flavor with subtle citrus undertones. It is versatile and widely used in various cuisines globally to add a zesty kick to both sweet and savory dishes. The benefits of ginger go beyond its flavor, offering numerous health benefits such as aiding digestion.

Yes, that’s right. Several cuisines incorporate galangal in their delicacies. Here’s a quick and simple recipe for you.

How To Cook With Galangal Root

It doesn’t take a lot of preparation to cook with galangal root. Just peel the tough skin and slice or chop the fresh root. Here are a few tips on how to use it in meals or snacks:

• Add galangal to soups, curries, or stir-fries for a peppery flavor.
• If using dried galangal, soak it in warm water for a few minutes to rehydrate before cooking.
• Galangal pairs well with coconut milk, making it great for Thai and Southeast Asian dishes.
• Use it in marinades for meats or seafood to add depth and freshness.
• Be mindful of its strong flavor. You may start with a small amount and adjust to taste.

Now try out the recipes given below!

The Jungle Thai Curry – With Galangal And Mushroom

What You Need

• Coconut milk: 2 cps
• Galangal: 1, ½-inch piece, peeled and sliced
• Kaffir lime leaves: 3, chopped or torn
• Salt: 2 teaspoons
• Fresh mushrooms: ⅓ pound, sliced
• Thai chili peppers: 5, chopped
• Fresh lime juice: ¼ cup
• Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Boiling pot: medium-large

Let’s Make It!

1. Add coconut milk and galangal in the boiling pot. Bring it to a boil.
2. Add the kaffir lime leaves and salt.
3. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
4. Add mushrooms to the mixture and cook until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. Add the lime juice and fish sauce to the mixture. Stir well.
6. Transfer the contents to a serving bowl.
7. Garnish with the Thai chilies.
8. Serve hot with some fresh and fragrant jasmine rice and tapioca crisps.

Gin hi a-ròi! (Bon appetit!)

South-east Asian and Asian culinary techniques offer everything on a platter that soothes your body during every meal.

If you do not like the taste of galangal in your meals, you can substitute it with ginger. Remember, ginger is a stronger spice than galangal. For every serving of galangal, 3/4th of ginger would do.

Li, a blogger, explained why she uses galangal in her dishes and shared a method to preserve galangal for 3 months. She writes, “This rhizome gives the ingredients a fresh lift when added to the dish. I appreciate this aspect (i). “ The blogger also revealed that she grows galangal in her garden and often makes a paste out of it to use for future cooking purposes.

Quick Tip

Additionally, you can use it to flavor soups, stews, rice, noodles, stir-fries, satay, marinades, applesauce, and lightly tossed salads.

Precautions And Side Effects Of Galangal

Galangal has been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. This root is typically safe when it is consumed in the amounts likely found in foods (1).

Animal studies found that doses of 2,000 mg per kg of body weight resulted in serious side effects, including coma, diarrhea, excessive urination, lack of appetite, a drop in energy levels, and death (15). These side effects were absent at considerably smaller dosages of 300 mg per kg of body weight.

Infographic: Top 5 Health Benefits Of Galangal

Galangal has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and is well known for its distinctive flavor and aroma. It also has a number of potential health benefits. Understanding the remarkable properties of galangal can help us understand its potential role in promoting overall well-being and incorporating it into our daily lives. The infographic below explores the top five health benefits of galangal. Check it out to know more!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you store galangal?

Wrap the galangal root in a damp, clean cloth. Then, wrap it in a plastic bag. You can store galangal this way in the fridge for a long time. The root retains the moisture from the cloth and stays fresh too.
If it is for extended storage, you might have to change the damp cloth to prevent fungal infestation.

Can you eat galangal raw?

When purchasing this root, check for the younger variants. If the root has a shiny, translucent peel with a peachy beige shade, it can be eaten raw.

Is turmeric and galangal the same thing?

No, both are different. Galangal is more pine-like and citrusy in flavor whereas turmeric has an earthy flavor with bright orange flesh.

Can you freeze galangal?

Yes, the root can freeze up to three months without peeling. It can be frozen without losing any flavor. Cut the unpeeled root into slices a quarter-inch thick, wrap in plastic, and freeze it.

Do you need to peel galangal?

No. Unlike ginger, galangal does not need to be peeled. Thoroughly rinse the root under cold water, rubbing away any dirt, and pat dry.

What does galangal taste like?

Galangal has a sharp citrusy, and pine-like flavor and is used as a food flavoring agent in South East Asian countries.

Is Galangal a spice?

Yes, galangal is a ginger-like spice widely used in South East Asia. This condiment has a bitter and peppery aroma.

Can you dry galangal?

Yes. However, remember that dried galangal has a lower potency than fresh ones when used in recipes.

Can you eat galangal stems?

Yes, you can eat fresh, young galangal stems.

Can you make galangal tea?

Yes, you can make tea with freshly minced or sliced galangal.

Illustration: Galangal: Benefits Side Effects Composition And How To Use

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr.Varsha PrabalaBAMS, MD

 

Dr.Varsha is an Ayurveda doctor with 3 years of experience. She has a degree in the Indian system of medicine and MD in the field of Ayurveda Pharmacology (Dravyaguna). She has diverse work experience as a senior consultant for Government of India health projects in the northeastern and southern parts of India, under CCRAS (Central Council for research in Ayurveda sciences) and as a physician at clinics and rehabilitation centers.

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