352 Handbook of herbs and spices
et al., 1987). The first three compounds are reported to have larvicidal activity (Kiuchi
et al., 1988). The other constituents are camphene, d-3-carene, p-methoxy styrene, g-
pinene, b-myrcene, p-cymene, 1,8-cineole, isomyrcene, camphor, a-terpineol, p-
cymene-8-ol, eucarvone, d-cadinene, hexadecane, heptadecane, limonene, octanol,
tetradecane, 2-3-dehydro benzofuran, vanillin-p-methoxy phenol, caravacrol, carveol,
myrtenol, b-cymene, p-methoxybenzaldehyde, b-cadinene, carcine, m-anisaldehyde,
quinasoline-4-phenyl-3-oxide, sandaracopimaradiene-9-ol-1-one, sandaraco-
pimaradiene-1, 9-diol, 6-acetoxy sandaracopimaradiene-9-ol-1-one (and its isomers)
etc. (Arembewela and Silva, 1999; Arembewela et al., 2000). The leaves contain
kaempferol, quercetin, cyanidin and delphinidin. The camphor present has been
characterized as ethyl-p-methoxy-trans-cinnamate (Rastogi and Mehrotra, 1998).
The composition of essential oil of rhizome of K. galanga growing in Malaysia
has been investigated by capillary GC, GC-MS and IH-NMR (Wong et al., 1992).
The major components of a Malaysian sample of the oil are ethyl-trans-p-methoxy-
cinnamate (51.6%), ethyl cinnamate, (16.5%), pentadecane (9.0%), delta-car-zone
(3.3%), borneol (2.7%) and 1,8-cineole (5.7%). It also contains monoterpene ketone,
3 caren-5 ene. The oil has been reported to possess insecticidal activity which is
attributed to ethyl-trans-p-methoxy-cinnamate and ethyl-cinnamate. The rhizome is
also reported to display cytotoxic properties.
20.6 Uses.................................................................................................
K. galanga is cultivated for its aromatic rhizomes and also as an ornamental and has
a long history of medicinal use. The rhizome is chewed and ingested. It is used as a
flavouring for rice. The rhizomes are considered stimulatory, expectorant, carminative
and diuretic. They are used in the preparation of gargles and administered with honey
in cough and chest afflictions. In the Philippines, a decoction of the rhizomes is used
for dyspepsia, headache and malaria. The juice of the plant is an ingredient in the
preparation of some tonic preparations. The rhizomes and roots are used for flavouring
food and in medicine in South East Asia (CSIR, 1959). The rhizome is mixed with oil
as a cicatrizant applying it to boils and furuncles (Duke, 2003). Bown (2001) cited a
mix of four ginger relatives (Alpinia, Curcuma, Kaempferia and Zingiber)
called ‘awas empas’, a Jamu remedy for headaches, stiff joints and urinary tract
infection.
Kaempferia is indicated for amebiasis, bruise, cancer, childbirth, cholera, cough,
dandruff, dyspepsia, enterosis, fever, furuncle, headache, inflammation, lameness,
lice, lumbago, malaria, myosin, ophthalmia, pain, parasite, rheumatism, rhinosis,
scabies, sore-throat, swellings, toothache and tumor (Duke, 2003). The rhizome mixed
with oil is used externally for healing wounds and applied to warm rheumatic regions.
A lotion prepared from the rhizome is used to remove dandruff or scales from the
head. The powdered rhizome mixed with honey is given as an expectorant. The
leaves are used in locations and poultices for sore eyes, rheumatism and fever. In
Thailand, the dried rhizome of this plant is used as a cardiotonic (CSIR, 1959). In
India, the dried rhizomes along with some other plants are used for heart diseases. It
is also used for the treatment of abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and toothache
with the functions of promoting vital energy circulation and alleviating pain. In
Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, Kaempferia rhizomes are made
use of in at least 61 formulations that are used in treating a variety of illness.