Evidence supporting the use of: Lesser Galangal
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lesser Galangal (Alpinia officinarum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Southeast Asia and parts of India, for various respiratory ailments including bronchial congestion. In Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, the rhizome of Lesser Galangal has been used as an expectorant and to relieve symptoms such as cough and chest congestion. The traditional rationale is based on its warming, stimulating effect, which is thought to help break up and expel mucus from the respiratory tract.
Despite its common use in traditional practice, there is limited modern scientific evidence specifically supporting Lesser Galangal’s efficacy for treating bronchial congestion. Some studies have identified the presence of essential oils, flavonoids, and diarylheptanoids in the rhizome, which have demonstrated mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. However, these findings do not directly translate to proven clinical benefits for bronchial congestion in humans. No high-quality clinical trials have investigated its effectiveness for this particular condition.
In summary, the use of Lesser Galangal for bronchial congestion is primarily justified by traditional use, with only weak scientific rationale based on its phytochemical profile. Until more rigorous studies are conducted, its use for this purpose should be considered traditional and not evidence-based by modern scientific standards.
More about Lesser Galangal
More about Congestion (bronchial)
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
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basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
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black currant
black pepper
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bupleurum falcatum
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caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
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Chinese salvia root
clove
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cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
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ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
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oregano
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phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
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rosemary
scrophularia root
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spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
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vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
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ferula assafoetida
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abies spectabilis
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Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
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Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
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Baphicacanthus cusia
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Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
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Clerodendrum trichotomum
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Other health conditions supported by Lesser Galangal
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)