Evidence supporting the use of: Galangal
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Galangal, which refers to several species in the Alpinia and Kaempferia genera (most commonly Alpinia galanga and Kaempferia galanga), has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Southeast Asian folk medicine. In these traditions, galangal is frequently used as a remedy for respiratory ailments, including colds and coughs. It is believed to act as a warming agent, expectorant, and tonic for the lungs.

Scientific research on galangal’s antiviral effects, especially regarding the common cold (typically caused by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses), is limited. Some in vitro studies have reported that extracts from galangal species exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiviral activity, but most research focuses on other viruses (such as influenza or herpes simplex virus) rather than the specific pathogens that cause the common cold. While a few studies have identified compounds in galangal (such as 1'-acetoxychavicol acetate) with potential antiviral properties, there is currently insufficient clinical evidence to confirm its efficacy against cold viruses in humans.

In summary, the use of galangal for colds is grounded primarily in traditional practices rather than strong scientific validation. Existing scientific evidence is preliminary and does not robustly support its use for this specific condition.

More about Galangal
More about Colds (antiviral)

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

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Agastache
AHCC
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
Aloe vera
alpha-terpineol
alpinia galangal
amentoflavone
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anthocyanins
apigenin
arabinogalactan
Asam gelugor
ash
Asteraceae
atractylone
Aureobasidium pullulans
Autumn elaeagnus
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Basidiomycota
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bilberry
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black galingale
black garlic
black nightshade
black seed
blueberry
Bombax
borneol
Broussonetia
buckthorn
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
capillary artemisia
carrageenan
carvacrol
cat's claw
catechins
Celosia
Chinese mountain ant
Chinese raisintree
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cinnamaldehyde
cinnamon
Cistus
citron
Citrus
citrus bioflavonoids
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coconut
commiphora
common madia
coriolus mushroom
costus
cowherb
curry leaf
David\'s milkberry
deoxyandrographolides
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
essential oil blend
European Elder
flavones
flavonoids
flavonones
forsythia
fruit
fulvic acid
fungus
Galangal
Gallesia
gallotannin
gamma-terpinene
ganoderma
garlic
garlic bulb
ginger
glyceryl monolaurate
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
goji berry
goldthread
green tea
Hedyotis
Himalaya berry
honey
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian kinotree
indigo leaves
Isatis
knotweed
labrador tea
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Laggera pterodonta
lauric acid
lemon
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Ligustrum
Litsea
liverwort
Lomatium
luffa
luteolin
mangostin
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nut grass
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oregano
oriental arborvitae
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papaya
Paris polyphylla
Patrinia
pau d'arco
perilla
Petiveria
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phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
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Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
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pomegranate
Propolis
quercetin
ravinsara
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
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saponins
schizonepeta
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shiitake mushroom
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thyme
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vitamin C
vitamin D
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White Tea
xanthium (cockleburs)
Xanthorrhizol
zanthoxylum
Zinc
Zingiberene

Products containing Galangal

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.