Evidence supporting the use of: Lesser Galangal
For the health condition: Chest Pain

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Lesser Galangal (Alpinia officinarum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. It has been used as a remedy for various digestive and respiratory ailments, including chest pain, which is sometimes interpreted broadly in traditional contexts (e.g., discomfort associated with cough, bronchitis, or indigestion rather than angina or cardiac-related pain). The primary justification for its use in chest pain is based on its warming, carminative, and expectorant properties described in classical texts, which are believed to help relieve discomfort in the chest area related to congestion or phlegm.

However, scientific validation for the use of Lesser Galangal specifically for chest pain is minimal. While some studies have identified anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in extracts from the rhizome, there is a lack of clinical trials or pharmacological evidence directly supporting its efficacy for chest pain of any etiology. Most references to chest pain in historical sources do not distinguish between cardiac and non-cardiac origins, and modern research has not yet confirmed its effectiveness for either type. Thus, the evidence level is low, and its use for chest pain remains rooted primarily in tradition rather than established science.

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