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Galangal is an aromatic spice and plant that exhibits healing properties. Thanks to this, it has been used both in the kitchen and in natural medicine. It owes its healing effects mainly to a substance called galangina, which, among others, slims, regulates the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood. Check what other effects galangal has and where you can buy it.

Galangal( galanga ) is a spice that is as aromatic and searing as ginger, but more bitter and peppery in taste. Galangal, in addition to its expressive taste, is also characterized by numeroushealing properties , thanks to which it has been used not only in the kitchen, but also in natural medicine. In Southeast Asia - where it comes from - it is used as a treatment aid for:

  • arthritis
  • cough
  • asthma
  • diabetes
  • obesity

Scientists have studied the plant and concluded thathealing effects ofare due to its abundantgalangina . It is a compound of natural origin, belonging to one of the flavonoid groups called flavonols. Galangin is also contained in bee putty, which thanks to it has strong antibacterial properties.

The name galangal is used forrhizomes of four plants . The first isminor galangal(English lesser galangal, LatinAlpinia officinarum Hance ).

The second islarger galangal(English greater galangal, LatinAlpinia galanga ,Languas galanga orAlpinia galanga ), also called Thai galangal / ginger or blue ginger. It is this variety that is used most often and it is the one that has been best researched.

The third iskencur(LatinKaempferia galanga ), also called kencur, aromatic or sandy ginger in Indonesia.

The fourth isBoesenbergia rotunda , meaningkrachai(called Chinese galangal, Chinese keys or finger roots).

Galangal - slimming properties

Indian scientists from KLE University's College of Pharmacy argue in the pages of "Pharmaceutical Biology" that galangin hasslimming properties . In a 6-week studyfemale rats were administered with galangin isolated from the rhizome of Alpinia galanga. The rodents were fed a diet rich in fatty substances with a caloric value of 25.3 kcal / g. One of the groups of animals additionally received galangin in a dose of 50 mg / kg body weight via the oral route … Another group of animals was administered intraperitoneally with sibutramine (a standard slimming drug) at a dose of 2 mg / kg body weight

It turned out that galangin, similarly to sibutramine, after the first week of the studyclearly reduced the body weight ofrats (by approx. 10 percent). In the following weeks, the body weight was lower on average by about 20 percent. compared to control animals. After the end of the experiment, the adipose tissue, liver weight, and serum levels of liver triglycerides in rats receiving galangin and sibutramine were 33 to 42 percent. lower compared to control animals. Beneficial changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were also observed in slimming rodents. Scientists explain the slimming effect of galangin contained in Alpinia galanga, among others inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity, hypolipemic and antioxidant effect.

Galangal lowers blood sugar

Galanga also hashypoglycemic properties( lowers blood sugar ) - Pakistani scientists from the Postgraduate Medical Institute showed this in a study on rabbits . The animals were given powdered galganite root (Alpinia galanga) and its water and alcohol extract. Both forms of galgant decreased glucose levels.2

The same effect was obtained by scientists from JSS College of Pharmacy (India) in laboratory rats that were given an alcoholic extract of galgantuan root (Alpinia galanga). The research was published in the International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research.3

Galangal lowers cholesterol

Scientists from the Indian state of Kerala in the pages of the "Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry" argue that galangal (Alpinia galanga and Kaempferia galanga) lowers cholesterol. The results of animal studies have shown that the substances contained in the root of this plant reduce the level of total cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and significantly increase the level of "good" HDL cholesterol. The test animals consumed the extract of galgant at a dose of 20 mg / day for 4 weeks.4

Galangal for nausea and digestion

Galangal, like ginger, helps digestion. The oil contained in the rhizome stimulates the secretion of saliva and gastric juice, has a choleretic and diastolic effect, and heals flatulence. Otherwisegalangal relieves nausea (can be used in motion sickness).

Galangal fights viruses, fungi and bacteria

Due to the content of galangin, galangal has viro-, fun- and bactericidal properties. Scientists from Iraq5have shown thatessential oil, water and alcohol extractszAlpinia galangainhibit the development of such bacteria, such as :

  • pneumonia rod
  • Escherichia coli
  • stick of blue oil
  • golden staph
  • streptococcusStreptoccocus pyogenes

Fungi such asTrichophyton mentagrophytes ,Trichophyton longif.webpususandMicrosporum canis .

Galangal as an alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs?

Researchers at the West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences (India) argue thatAlpinia galangais as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In a study in rats which induced inflammation in the form of paw edema, galganite root extract was used and compared with steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It turned out to have the same effect.6

Use of galangal in the kitchen

Galangal is best known in Thailand. It is used literally for everything, but the most popular dishes with galangal are tom yum kung soups ( tom yum goong ) and tom kha kai ( tom ka gai). It is also added to seafood and meat dishes, salads and sauces, including dips. In Indonesia, the traditionalsoto soupis seasoned with it and made withherbal drink - jama . In Malaysia we find it in a rice dishNasze ulam .

Galanga came from Asia to Central and Eastern Europe thanks to the Tatars. It was mainly used as aspicein a variety of spirits. This tradition has remained to this day. Currently, the rhizome extract of this plant is an ingredient of one of the most famous Polish vodkas -Żołądkowa Gorzka . In Russia, on the other hand, it is used to season the liqueurnastoyka .

Rhizomecan be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in a paper towel. Also suitable forfreezing . Like ginger, scrape itbefore eating it . Usually pieces of galangal are removed after cooking - they are only to give back their intense aroma. However, if you cook the dish for a long time and the galangal is soft, you can eat slices.

Galangal - where to buy? What's the price?

In exotic spice stores around the world and online stores. You can buyrhizome fresh, dried or ground, and also in the form of ready-made pastes. However, to fully appreciate its aroma, it is best to buy fresh galangal (100 g costs about PLN 8).

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