Galanga 353
In Java, the rhizomes are used widely in seasoning many dishes, especially rice
dishes. Rhizomes are also pickled or used to make ‘beras’, a sweet, spicy beverage.
Another beverage, ‘berao kentjoor’ is made from the roots. Dried rhizomes are also
added to curry powder. In many Asian countries galanga and galangal are used
interchangeably, leaves and rhizomes may be used in curries, eaten raw or steamed,
or cooked with chilli. Leaves of the narrow-leaved variety are eaten and both types
are used in lalabs. Asians employ the rhizomes and leaves as a perfume in cosmetics,
hair washes and powders. Rarely it is used as a hallucinogen (Duke, 2003).
In Malaysia, the rhizome is used for chills in elephants. In Sri Lanka, rhizome
mixed with oil is used externally for healing of wounds and applied to warm rheumatic
regions. The powdered rhizome is mixed with honey and given for coughs and
pectoral ailments. Dried rhizome is used as a cardiotonic in Thailand. In Papua New
Guinea the rhizome is used orally as an abortifacient. (Arambewela and Silva, 1999).
The essential oil is used in flavoring curries, in perfumery and also for medicinal
purposes (Bhattacharjee, 2000).
20.7 K. rotunda
K. rotunda L. (Indian crocus) is found scattered thoughout India in most localities. It
is cultivated occasionally as a garden plant. The tuber is used in about 21 medicinal
preparations in Ayurveda. It is a perennial herb having a tuberous rhizome. Leaves
are simple, ligulate, few, erect, lanceolate, acute, variegated, green above and tinged
with purple below, up to 45 cm long and 10 cm wide, petiole short, channeled, leaf
base sheathing, flowers on a short crowned spike, flowers are bractolate, bisexual
and trivenous and having the typical Zingiberaceous floral structure. Propagation is
though rhizomes.
Tubers are acrid, thermogenic, aromatic, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, sialagogue,
and emetic. They are useful in vitiated conditions of Va t a and Kapha, gastropathy,
dropsy, inflammations, wound, ulcer, blood clot, tumors and cancerous swellings
(Warrier et al., 1995). The fresh bruised tubers are in popular use in many parts of
India and applied to bruises to reduce swelling. The decoction is also applied to
wounds with coagulated blood and with any purulent matter.
20.8 References and further reading......................................................
ACHUTHAN, C. R. and PADIKKALA, J. (1997) Hypolipidemic effect of Alpinia galanga (Rasna) and
Kaempferia galanga (Kachoori). Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry. 12(1), 55–58.
ANONYMOUS (1981) Root and Tuber Crops. International Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources Secretariat,
Rome, pp. 72–75.
ANONYMOUS (2003a) Cultivation of Kaempferia galanga. In. Herbs Cultivation and Their Utilization.
National Institute of Industrial Research, NIIR Board, Asia Pacific Business Press Inc., New
Delhi, pp. 161–165.
ANONYMOUS (2003b) The Wealth of India – First Supplement Series, National Institute of Science
Communication and Information Resource, Vol. 4: J-Q: p. 9.
ARAMBAWELA, L. and SILVA, R. (1999) Kaempferia galanga, Industrial Technology Institute, Sri
Lanka, 17pp.
ARAMBEWELA, L., PERERA, A., THAMBUGALA, R. and WIJESUNDERA, R. L. (1999a) Antibacterial activity of
Kaempferia galanga, Fitoterapia, 70(4): 425–427.
ARAMBEWELA, L., PERERA, A., THAMBUGALA, R. and WIJESUNDERA, R. L. (1999b) The volatile constituents