362 Handbook of herbs and spices
RBC membrane stabilizing activity. Al-Yahaya et al. (1990) demonstrated that ethanolic
extract of galangal has potent gastric antisecretary, antiulcer and cryoprotective
properties. Duke (2003) has listed the application of A. galanga and A. officinarum
as herbal medicines in the treatment of various ailments.
A novel composition of aromatic and terpinoid compounds present in A. galanga
showed synergistic effects with respect to immunomodulation, and effectively
suppressed hypersensitivity reactions. These compounds are used for preparing
medicaments for the treatment or prevention of allergic reactions and such conditions
as asthma, allergic rhinitis, anaphylaxis and autoimmune disorders like ulcerative
colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as for the alleviation of pain (Weidner et al.,
2002). The constituents isolated from the seeds of A. galanga are reported to exhibit
anti-ulcer activities (Mitsui et al., 1976a,b). Dried powdered rhizome is sometimes
adulterated with other species such as A. calcarata, A. conchigera, A. mutica, A.
nigra, A. rafflesiana and A. scabra.
The fruits of A. galanga are used in traditional Chinese medicine but the dry fruits
are easy to adulterate with other species that are used as medicine in local areas. The
dry fruits of the adulterants are very similar in odour, morphology, chemical constituents
and anatomical characters and they are difficult to distinguish. Zhao et al. (2001)
characterized A. galanga and the species used as adulterant using the nuclear ribosomal
DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrDNA ITS) region sequences and the molecular
markers are used to distinguish the drug at DNA level.
21.5 Alpinia officinarum Hance (lesser galangal, Chinese ginger)
A. officinarum looks similar to A. galanga, but it is smaller in stature. The immature
rhizome of this plant is a favourite spice in East and Central Asian countries, and is
known to have been in use for over a thousand years in these regions. The Arabs
formerly were known to feed their horses on this plant to make them fiery (Grieve,
1931). The young rhizome has a unique taste that is said to be in between pepper and
ginger (Duke, 2003). The rhizomes have been in use in cooking, for adding flavour
to vinegar and local liquors (‘nastoika’). Rhizomes are popularly used in the preparation
of tea (similar to ginger tea) (Watt, 1972). The emerging shoots are used as a vegetable
in northeast India. Alcoholic extract of the rhizome contains tannins, phlobaphenes;
chloroform extract showed the presence of flavones such as kaempferide, galangin
and alpinin (Sastry 1961). Ray and Majumdar (1975) reported the isolation of a
flavonoid possessing antifungal activity. The decoction of the rhizome revealed
antinflammatory activity against carragenin-induced rat paw edema (Sharma and
Singh 1980). Kaleysa Raj (1975) reported anthelmintic activity against human Ascaris
lum bricoides.
A. officinarum is a very valued medicinal plant and has been in use traditionally.
Its rhizome has an essential oil that is warm and spicy. It has been in use in chronic
enteritis, gastralgia and the decoction is a folk remedy for cancer in Louisiana and
Oklahoma (Duke, 2003). The rhizomes are considered aphrodisiac, aromatic,
carminative, stimulant and stomachic. It is useful in dyspepsia and in preventing
fermentation and flatulence. It is considered a nervine tonic (Duke, 2003). The properties
are more or less similar to that of A. galanga. The therapeutic effects when used in
traditional medicines might be mainly due to the contents of quercetin, galangin and
kaempferol.