• Alpinia Galangal anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities.

Researchers have proposed the benefits of galangal in certain inflammatory conditions. Recently, Korean scientists isolated six diarylheptanoids from the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum or galangal. All these compounds demonstrated inhibitory activities on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. Furthermore, these compounds suppressed expression of the inducible NO synthase protein and mRNA. Separately, Japanese researchers prepared 80% aqueous acetone extract of the galangal. This extract was found to contain diarylheptanoids and galangin and it was also able to inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages. These findings including results from some other studies are important to understand galangal's anti-inflammatory activities.

• Galangal may benefit people at risk of cancer.>

In a study of COR L23 lung cancer and MCF7 breast cancer cell lines, UK researchers showed the anti-cancer activities of galangal extracts. As described in the previous section, galangal contains a flavonoid-galangin. Galangin has shown to have anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging activities. It modulates enzyme activities and suppresses the genotoxicity of chemicals.
Galangal also has a volatile oil. Researchers have shown this volatile oil could enhance effectively the skin permeation of 5-fluorouracil.

• Galangal may have benefits of lipid-lowering.

Researchers from China found that the galangal extract could potently inhibit fatty-acid synthase (FAS, E.C.2.3.1.85). They proposed the inhibitory mechanism is related to the activities of the main flavonoids existing in the galangal such as galangin, quercetin and kaempferol. While, Korean researchers showed a pancreatic lipase inhibitor, 5-hydroxy- 7-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-3-heptanone (HPH), from the rhizome of Alpinia officinarum significantly lowered the serum TG level in corn oil feeding-induced triglyceridemic mice, and reduced serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol in Triton WR- 1339-induced hyperlipidemic mice. Finally, another group demonstrated an ethyl acetate fraction of Alpinia officinarum rhizome containing 3-methylethergalangin was a potent lipase inhibitor in a study of hyperlipidemic mice.

• Galangal may help emesis.

Japanese researchers found an ingredient of galangal has enti-emetic activities in chicken.

• Usage

Cooking, tea. compound, capsules

• Potential side effects :

Very high doses may cause hallucinations. Acid-inhibiting drugs, such as antacids, sucralfate, H2 antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors, may interact with this herb due to alpinia's increase of stomach acid.

Pregnant and breast-feeding patients should avoid use.

Beyond the high content of essential oil in the rhizome, little is known of the chemistry of the plant. Galanga has been known in the west for hundreds of years to native Americans for its stimulant and tonic properties and was claimed to reduce fever and indigestion. Tibetan incense makers use red galanga in formulas to elevate awareness, overcome physical exhaustion, and create a mood for contemplation.

Folklore:
Although this herb has been enjoyed as a culinary spice for centuries. Galangal root also has a long history of use in folk magic, including hoodoo root magic. Reputedly, chewing the root and spitting on the floor is a sure-fire way to win a court case. Alternatively, wearing oil infused with the root is said to balance the scales of justice
in your favor.