Galangal

Galangal is an ancient herb similar to ginger which is more commonly know and used. Both are in the Zingiberaceae family. This aromatic and pungent herb not only adds a unique flavor to culinary dishes but also holds many traditional medicinal qualities which is the focus of this article.

Traditionally, galangal has been used to aid digestion, improve circulation, support the heart, and reduce inflamation. New research is showing that galangal can also positively affect sperm viability and motility, increase testosterone, increase attention and alertness, offer anti-inflamatory and anti-fungus properties, stimulate the immune system and hair growth and assist the liver. Wow! That is a lot of positive qualities!

The use of galangal dates back centuries, with its roots embedded in various cultures. In medieval Europe, one prominent figure who advocated for the use of herbs, including galangal, was Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), a German Benedictine abbess, mystic, and herbalist.

Hildegard de Bingen used galangal for many maladies. She emphasized the holistic approach to healing by using the best herb for a present ailment in your daily cooking. Galangal, with its warming and stimulating properties, found its place in her medicinal repertoire and in many meals and teas.

Galangal is believed to aid digestion, alleviate stomach discomfort, and boost overall vitality. You can read about Galangal as well as a myriad of other herbs in Hidegard’s books, Hildegard von Bingen’s Physica: The Complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing and Hildegard of Bingen’s Medicine (Folk Wisdom Series) Both are excellent herbal books to learn more about herbs used in this time period and useful today. The nuns in her order still grow and use fields of galangal today because it is so effective. You can read more about Hildegard de Bingen here.

You can buy galangal as a plant, root, or dried root. This effective herb has also been a staple in traditional Asian medicine. In Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine galangal is appreciated for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and digestive properties. It has been used to treat various ailments, from digestive issues to respiratory problems.

How to Grow Galangal

First, how to grow galangal. This is essential information for those who wish to cultivate this herb at home. Galangal thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, but it can also be grown in containers in colder regions and brought inside when the temperature goes below 60.

Climate and Soil:

Galangal prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It thrives in areas with high humidity and temperatures between 75-85°F (24-29°C).

Planting:

Plant galangal rhizomes in the spring. Ensure that each rhizome has at least one bud, and plant it about 4 inches deep in the soil. Space multiple rhizomes at least 12 inches apart.

Sunlight:

Provide the plant with partial to full sunlight. If grown in containers, ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

Watering:

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching can help retain moisture.

Harvesting:

Galangal is typically ready for harvest 8-10 months after planting. Carefully dig around the rhizomes, preserving the plant for continuous growth.

You can buy galangal plants or seeds from: https://www.companionplants.com/

Medicinal Uses of Galangal

Galangal has warming and drying qualities similar to ginger. You can use galangal in all the same ways you would use ginger such as a tea for digestion and to stimulate digestive enzymes. This herb is also good for stomache, colds, coughs, asthma, swelling, arthritis, and headaches. This is due in part to its ability to increase circulation and its drying component.

Galangal has been found to increase sperm viability and motility which seems to be crucial in this period. An increase in testosterone was also seen.

This potent herb also can increase attention and alertness but will not crash your body or drain your adrenals. This is a great alterntive for energy with out caffeine.

Other important uses are as an anti-inflamatory, anti-fungal and lowers inflamation, stimulates the immune system and has the potential to help the liver. Some claim it will also aid hair growth, another hot topic right now.

Galangal is safe to use and has so many benefits that it is a wise choice to keep in your freezer, medicine cabinet as a tincture and garden.

The following recipes can be used to make a meal, tincture, tea or salve with this healing herb.

Galangal Tincture

Here’s a simple recipe for a galangal tincture:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh galangal root, chopped (or dried if fresh is not available)
• 2 cups high-proof alcohol (usually vodka or brandy)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Galangal: If using fresh or dry galangal root, wash it thoroughly and chop it into small pieces.
2. Combine Ingredients: Place the chopped galangal root in a clean glass jar. Pour the alcohol over the galangal until it is completely covered. Ensure that the alcohol you use has a high enough proof to effectively extract the medicinal properties from the galangal. Everclear is one vodka that is commonly used in tinctures.
3. Infusion: Seal the jar tightly and shake it gently to ensure that the galangal is fully immersed in the alcohol. Store the jar in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or pantry, for at least 2 weeks. You can shake the jar gently every few days to help with the extraction process.
4. Strain: After 2 weeks or longer (for stronger medicinal qualities), strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the solid pieces of galangal. You should be left with a clear liquid, which is your galangal tincture.
5. Bottling: Transfer the tincture into dark glass bottles for storage. Amber or dark blue bottles are ideal as they help protect the tincture from light, which can degrade its potency over time.
6. Storage: Store the bottles in a cool, dark place. When stored properly, the tincture can last for several months to a year.

Usage:

• Take 1-2 teaspoons of the tincture diluted in water or juice, up to three times a day, or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Galangal tincture can be used to aid digestion, relieve nausea, and alleviate inflammation. It’s always advisable to consult with a healthcare practitioner before using herbal remedies, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.

Galangal Infused Tea:

Ingredients:

• 1-inch piece of fresh galangal, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 cup hot water

Instructions:

Steep the sliced galangal in hot water for 5-7 minutes. Strain, add honey, and enjoy this invigorating tea that may help with digestion and provide a warming sensation.

Galangal and Lemongrass Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1-inch piece of galangal, sliced
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small chili, chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

Simmer galangal and lemongrass in vegetable broth for 15 minutes. Add mushrooms, chili, and soy sauce. Let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy this fragrant and soothing soup.

Galangal and Coconut Curry

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch galangal, grated
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 cup vegetables of choice
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Sauté onion, garlic, and grated galangal in coconut oil. Add coconut milk, vegetables, and curry powder. Simmer until vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over rice.

Galangal and Ginger Elixir

Ingredients:

• 1-inch piece of galangal, grated
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 cups water

Instructions:

Combine grated galangal, ginger, lemon juice, and honey in hot water. Stir well and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and sip on this immune-boosting elixir.

Galangal and Orange Zest Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon grated galangal
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions:

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour, grated galangal, and orange zest. Mix until a dough forms. Roll into balls and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-15 minutes. Enjoy these aromatic and subtly spiced cookies.

You can also drizzle a powdered sugar and lemon glaze over the cookie. Mix half a cup of powdered sugar with 1 teaspoon of water and 1 teaspoon of lemon flavoring or lemon juice. Adjust quantities to taste.

5 Salve Recipes Using Galangal

The following five salve recipes put the benefits of Galangal to good use. Salve recipes are topical ointments that can be applied to the skin for various purposes such as sore muscles or mild injuries.

Galangal salves are easy to make and great to have ready when you need one. You can change any of the essential oils to make a salve that suits your own personal needs.

The main ingredients in a salve are: a carrier oil, medicinal plant part, essential oils, and beeswax.

Feel free to adjust ingredients according to your needs. Some additional herbs that might be useful to include in a salve are horehound, lemon balm, fennel and St. John’s Wort. Hidegard recommended horehound for respiratory ailments, believing it could soothe coughs and alleviate symptoms of respiratory infections. She used used lemon balm to promote relaxation and relieve symptoms of anxiety. She valued fennel for its digestive properties, often recommending it to aid in digestion and alleviate bloating and St. John’s Wort for treating mood disorders and promoting emotional well-being.

These herbs were not only cultivated in her gardens but were also incorporated into various remedies, tinctures, and infusions. Hildegard’s holistic approach to healing emphasized the importance of balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit.

Galangal Calming Salve

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 2 tablespoons dried galangal powder

Instructions:

• Infuse coconut oil with dried galangal powder by heating them together in a double boiler for 1-2 hours.
• Strain the infused oil to remove the galangal particles.
• Melt beeswax in the infused oil until fully combined.
• Pour the mixture into a container and let it solidify.

This salve can be used for skin irritation and to promote a sense of calm.

Galangal Muscle Relief Salve

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup dried galangal root, chopped
• 2 tablespoons grated beeswax
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

• Infuse olive oil with dried galangal by heating them in a double boiler for 2-3 hours.
• Strain the infused oil and return it to the double boiler.
• Add grated beeswax and stir until melted.
• Remove from heat, add eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils, and mix well.
• Pour the mixture into a container and let it cool.

This salve is perfect for soothing sore muscles.

Galangal Skin Nourishing Salve

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sweet almond oil
• 2 tablespoons dried and powdered galangal
• 2 tablespoons shea butter
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Infuse sweet almond oil with dried galangal by heating them together in a double boiler for 2 hours.
• Strain the infused oil and return it to the double boiler.
• Add shea butter and beeswax, stirring until melted.
• Remove from heat, add lavender essential oil, and mix thoroughly.
• Pour into a container and allow it to solidify.

This salve is excellent for moisturizing and nourishing the skin.

Galangal Healing Balm

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons dried galangal root, chopped
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• Infuse coconut oil with dried galangal by heating them together for 1-2 hours.
• Strain the infused oil and return it to the double boiler.
• Add beeswax and honey, stirring until melted.
• Remove from heat, add tea tree essential oil, and mix well.
• Pour into a container and let it cool.

This healing balm is suitable for minor cuts and abrasions.

Galangal Anti-Inflammatory Salve

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup grapeseed oil
• 2 tablespoons dried and powdered galangal
• 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1 tablespoon beeswax
• 5 drops chamomile essential oil

Instructions:

• Infuse grapeseed oil with dried galangal by heating them together in a double boiler for 2 hours.
• Strain the infused oil and return it to the double boiler.
• Add cocoa butter and beeswax, stirring until melted.
• Remove from heat, add chamomile essential oil, and mix thoroughly.
• Pour into a container and allow it to solidify.

This salve can be applied to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.

Remember to conduct a patch test before applying any salve to a larger area to ensure there are no adverse reactions. These galangal-infused salves combine the benefits of this aromatic herb with other natural ingredients, offering a holistic approach to skincare and health.