Alpinia officinarum

BINOMIAL NAME	Alpinia officinarum
COMMON NAME	Lesser galangal
FAMILY	Zingiberaceae
TAMIL NAME	சிற்றரத்தை
HABIT	Perennial, herbaceous plant
MORPHOLOGY	The plant is a rhizomatous, perennial herb, and attains a height of about 1.5–2.5 m. The rhizome is very prominent and aromatic. Externally, it is reddish brown-white and internally reddish-white. Leaves are leathery, about 30–60 cm long and 10–15 cm, glossy on both surfaces, lanceolate and smooth, with white margins.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES	Galangal fights inflammation, strengthens the immune system. Acts against cancer. It improves digestive health. Reduces blood cholesterol levels, fights respiratory ailments. Galangal is used for the treatment of cold, cough and sore throat.
SOURCE	1) Alpinia officinarum (Lesser Galangal) - Bamboo Land Nursery QLD Australia". Bamboo Land. 2) Gualtiero Simonetti (1990). Stanley Schuler (ed.). Simon & Schuster's Guide to Herbs and Spices. Simon & Schuster, Inc. ISBN 978-0-671-73489-3.