Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
Dtp:VIVIAN Page:22061264 - Herb and Spice Companion_146-256.indd 220 3/7/15 5:31 pm
(Text)HERB & SPICE COMPANION- 220 –
GALANGAL
Alpinia galangal
Flavors: pungent, sharp, and hot,
with tart lemon, pepper, ginger,
and cardamomAt first sight, you might take galangal for its more popular cousin, ginger. Galangal is
plumper and harder with shiny, striped, orange- or pink-tinted skin. Its flavor is distinct,
too, with citrus, pepper, pine, and carda-
mom in the mix. Also known as Thai gin-
ger, galangal is used similarly to its Chinese
counterpart and is a common ingredient
in Thai curry powders and pastes.In the Garden
The tropical, perennial galangal loves
warm, humid climates and grows to
be quite large aboveground with long,
lance-shaped leaves. In temperate
regions, plants should be grown in a
greenhouse or in a suitable container
indoors to provide optimal conditions.
Size: Up to 6 feet tall
Container: At least 15 inches in diameter
Light: Partial shade
Soil: Moist, rich, well drained. If growing outdoors in a garden, add plenty of mulch,
which retains water, adds nutrients, and prevents weeds.
Plant: Whole rhizomes, plant divisions, or 3-inch sections with at least one bud. Soak
in water overnight before planting. Sow with bud-end up, just under the surface of
the soil.
Water: Regularly, to keep the soil consistently moist. Mist with water to simulate the
humidity in the tropics.HEALTH BENEFITS
Like ginger, galangal has powerful
stomach-calming effects and can
be used to treat indigestion, relieve
constipation, and quell nausea due to
morning sickness and motion sickness.
Its anti-inflammatory properties can
help ease stomach cramps and arthritis
pain, and it’s often used to clear up
respiratory congestion caused by the
common cold.Job:07-61264 Title:RacePoint - Herb and Spice Companion
Dtp:VIVIAN Page:22061264 - Herb and Spice Companion_146-256.indd 220 3/7/15 5:23 pm