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.
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