Evidence supporting the use of: Greater galangal
For the health condition: Dyspepsia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Greater galangal (Alpinia galanga) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Southeast Asia and Ayurvedic medicine, for the treatment of digestive disorders including dyspepsia (indigestion). The rhizome is commonly used as a culinary spice and as a remedy believed to stimulate the appetite, relieve stomach discomfort, and reduce flatulence. Historical texts and ethnobotanical records document its use for these purposes, often in combination with other herbs.
However, scientific validation for these traditional uses remains limited. A few in vitro and animal studies suggest that galangal extracts may have gastroprotective effects, anti-inflammatory properties, and could potentially influence gastric motility, but robust clinical trials in humans specifically for dyspepsia are lacking. The main supporting evidence therefore remains traditional rather than scientific, with a moderate tradition-based rating (2), primarily due to its long-standing and widespread use rather than high-quality clinical proof.
In summary, while greater galangal is traditionally used to support digestive health and treat dyspepsia, scientific evidence is minimal, and its use for this purpose is justified mainly by historical practice rather than modern clinical research.
Other ingredients used for Dyspepsia
cutchallspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
apple
artichoke
barberry
basil
myrobalan
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
black pepper
blackberry
rice
chamomile
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
fennel
flavonols
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
Indian tinospora
licorice root
marshmallow
mustard seed
oregon grape
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
plantain
plum fruit
raspberry
slippery elm bark
sphaeranthus indicus
triphala
gastrodia
cardamom
papaya
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
swertia
peony
boxthorne
yarrow
prickly ash
myrrh
chrysanthemum
dioscorea
fern
hyacinth bean
sweetgums
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
wood betony
white oak
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
geranium
Avens
Angelica
acacia
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Amomum
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Ananain
Abuta
Aniseed myrtle
Arisaema
Black Seed
Bai Ji
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Belleric myrobalan
Bistort
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bael
Boswellia
Banyan
Bur-Reed
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Bitter principals
Black root
banana
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Centaury
Cinnamomum
Combretum quadrangulare
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Curcumen
Catechu
Campylandra fimbriata
Colombo
Corktree
Curcuma
Chirata
Costus
Colocynth
Celosia
Dianthrone
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Embelia
Goldthread
Galangal
Lotus
Little ironweed
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Other health conditions supported by Greater galangal
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Chills
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Depression
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Fatigue
Fever
Gas and Bloating