# Galangal (Alpinia officinarum)

**Galanga*; Hildegard’s *galgan**

**Known today as.** The rhizome of lesser galangal, *Alpinia officinarum*.

Kind: Plant  
Qualities: Hot and dry (Galenic tradition).

## What was it used for?

A warming spice of the Arabic and medieval pharmacy, for the stomach and the heart.

## What does modern science say?

Warming and carminative; no clinical evidence for the heart.

## Pharmacognosy and toxicology

- **1,8-cineole**: 
- **galangin**: a flavonol
- **1’-acetoxychavicol acetate**: in greater galangal
- **gingerols**: small amounts

**Mechanism.** A ginger relative: the pungent principles warm by activating TRPV1, the capsaicin receptor, and stimulate gastric secretion; galangin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in cells.

**Dose.** Safe as a spice.

**Standing.** In the German tradition (Commission E) for dyspepsia; a spice of Southeast Asian cooking.

## What did the older authorities say?

**Hildegard of Bingen.** Commends galangal above other spices, especially for pains of the heart.

## Sources

- Hildegard of Bingen, *Physica*.
- Blumenthal, M., ed. (1998). *The Complete German Commission E Monographs*, “Galangal.”
- Chouni, A., and Paul, S. (2018). “A review on phytochemical and pharmacological potential of *Alpinia galanga*.” *Pharmacognosy Journal* 10.

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*Galangal.* In *Materia Medica*, edited by B. C. P. Statema. Version 1, revised 2026-09-25. The Thinking Press. https://thethinkingpress.org/materia-medica/galangal

Historical description, not medical advice.