Alpinia galanga
Alpinia galanga, commonly known as Greater Galangal, is a perennial herb belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. Native to Southeast Asia, this aromatic rhizome is a staple in medicinal practices and culinary traditions. Renowned for its potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties, it serves as a powerful natural therapeutic agent.
- Scientific name: Alpinia galanga
- Family: Zingiberaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Alpinia galanga, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Zingiberales and the family Zingiberaceae. Its specific taxonomic classification is completed within the genus Alpinia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Zingiberales | WCVP |
| Family | Zingiberaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Alpinia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within China, it is found spanning from the South-Central provinces to the Southeast regions. Its presence is also noted on the tropical island of Hainan. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout Eastern Asia, specifically in Taiwan. Finally, its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is found in Assam.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
Chemicals
Alpinia galanga has 42 reported phytochemicals identified across 62 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate, galangin, 1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate, (E)-methyl cinnamate, ACA.
- Total chemicals
- 42
- Scientific sources
- 62
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| galangin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| (E)-methyl cinnamate | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ACA | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-terpineol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| camphor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1'S-1'-Acetoxychavicol acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Alpinia galanga has 19 reported activities identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Abortifacient.
- Total activities
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidementia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antileukemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimelanogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Alpinia galanga has 50 reported medicinal uses identified across 53 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, diabetes mellitus, multiple myeloma, Acinetobacter baumannii, Ascaris lumbricoides.
- Total uses
- 50
- Scientific sources
- 53
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| multiple myeloma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acinetobacter baumannii | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ascaris lumbricoides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus flavus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Breast Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bronchial asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CAT | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COPD | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |