Synonyms
Languas galanga; Maranta galanga
Common name
Siamese ginger, siamese galanga, java galangal, greater galangal, el galangal, el adkham, hang dou kou,
stor kalanga, galanga, galanga de l'inde, laos, galgant, kulanjan, naukyo, lenkuas, galanga maior, kha, ka, riêng, großer
galgant, herbe indienne, da liang jiang, grand galanga,galanga majeur.
Family
Zingiberaceae (Ginger family).
Overview
This is a tropical plant with an aromatic ginger-flavor rhizome that is very
popular in the Eastern - and Caribbean cuisine alike.
The Galanga is an aromatic perennial growing up to 7' tall.
The leaves are lanceolate while the flowers are small greenish-white. The fruit is orange-red.
Originally
from Java in Indonesia, it is growing abundantly in Suriname.
The rhizome has an aromatic odor while the taste
is pungent and spicy. Powdered or sliced, it is use as a spice in the Indian, Thai, Indonesian and Surinam cuisine.
The reddish-brown powder is used as snuff, and in India the oil is valued in perfumery.
Phytochemicals
The creamy white rhizomes contain a volatile essential oil quite similar to that of the
ginger.
The chemical constituents of this oil are methyl cinnamate, cincole, camphor and d-pinene. Beta-Sitosterol,
Galangin, Emodin and Quercetin are also present in the rhizome.
Present are also: phoblaphenes, starch, sulphates
and chlorides; it is also a source of sodium, iron, vitamins A and C.
The Greater galanga has medicinal applications; the rhizome is used against rheumatism, bronchial catarrh,
bad breath, and ulcers whooping colds in children, throat infections, to control incontinence, fever and dyspepsia.
It is also used as a digestive stimulant and useful in flatulence.
It is an excellent candidate for the development
of a remedy for opportunistic fungal infections in AIDS patients.
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Pharmacology
Galanga has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities.
The essential oil is active again gram positive - and gram negative micro organisms.
Broncho-spasm
induced by pilocarpine is counteracted by small doses of a tincture of galanga.
The seeds have anti-ulcer activity.
Hardiness
USDA zone 8 B - 11.
Propagation
Rhizomes.
Culture
Full sun / shade; good water drainage and moist soil.
Plant in frost free areas; it can also be
grown in the greenhouse.
High humidity is preferred.
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