Product Overview
Parts used: Dried root and rhizome
TCM category: Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
TCM nature: Hot
TCM taste(s): Pungent
Meridian affinity: Spleen Stomach
Scientific name: Alpinia officinarum
Other names: Galanga, Galanga, Gāo liáng jiāng
Use of lesser galangal rhizomes (Gao Liang jiang) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitionner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities, wash, soak in water, slice and dry.
Dosage: 3 to 6g.
Main actions according to TCM*: For any conditions of Cold in the Middle Burner where there are symptoms such as pain in the abdominal region, vomiting, diarrhea and chronic inflammation in the digestive tract caused by Cold.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which lesser galangal rhizomes may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Abdominal pain Vomiting Diarrhea Acid reflux Loss of appetite
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with Deficiency with Heat signs or by those with true Heat signs.
Common TCM formulas in which lesser galangal rhizomes are used*:
For vomiting and nausea caused by a Cold Stomach combine lesser galangal rhizomes with crow-dipper rhizomes (Ban Xia) and dried ginger (Gan Jiang).
For loss of appetite combine lesser galangal rhizomes with flowering quince (Mu Gua).
For epigastric pain caused by Coldness combine lesser galangal rhizomes with coco-grass rhizomes (Xiang Fu).
For retching, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain due to cold in the Stomach combine lesser galangal rhizomes with long peppers (Bi Ba), houpu magnolia bark (Hou Pu) and costus roots (Mu Xiang).
Key TCM concepts behind lesser galangal rhizomes (Gao Liang jiang)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), lesser galangal rhizomes are plants that belong to the 'Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold' category. Herbs in this category are used for Internal Coldness with Qi and Yang Deficiency. In the Yin and Yang system of thought (see our explanation on Yin and Yang) Yang is Hot in nature. A deficiency of Yang will therefore lead to Internal Coldness since there will as a result be more Yin (Cold in nature) than Yang. In extreme cases this can lead to so-called 'Yang collapse' with convulsions or coma and these herbs are particularly indicated to treat such scenarios.
As suggested by its category lesser galangal rhizomes are plants that are Hot in nature. This means that lesser galangal rhizomes typically help people who have too much "cold" in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much cold in their body are said to either have a Yin excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition lesser galangal rhizomes can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Lesser galangal rhizomes also taste Pungent. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Pungent ingredients like lesser galangal rhizomes tend to promote the circulations of Qi and body fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what organs and meridians they target. As such lesser galangal rhizomes are thought to target the Spleen and the Stomach. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, blood coagulation and fluid metabolism in the body. The Stomach on the other hand is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.
Use of lesser galangal rhizomes (Gao Liang jiang) as food
Lesser galangal rhizomes are also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Thai Galangal Chicken Soup Tom Ka Gai.
