Evidence supporting the use of: Lesser Galangal
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lesser Galangal (Alpinia officinarum) has a long history of use in traditional systems of medicine, particularly in Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Unani, for supporting respiratory health and relieving congestion. Traditional practitioners have used galangal rhizomes to promote warmth, stimulate circulation, and alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress, such as coughs, chest congestion, and bronchitis. It is often included in herbal formulas aimed at “clearing phlegm” or “moving Qi” in the chest, which aligns with the management of lung congestion.

In these traditional contexts, galangal is sometimes prepared as a decoction or powder, and combined with other herbs thought to support lung function. The warming, aromatic, and slightly pungent qualities of lesser galangal are believed to help break up and expel mucus, making breathing easier.

However, while its use for lung congestion is well documented in traditional medicine texts, there is limited scientific evidence to directly support these claims. Some in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and mild antimicrobial properties for galangal extracts, but robust clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for lung congestion in humans are lacking. Thus, the justification for its use in this context is primarily traditional, with modest support from historical practice but minimal validation from modern research.

More about Lesser Galangal
More about Congestion (lungs)

Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)

allspice
aloe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
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cayenne pepper
Agastache
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bee hive
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Boswellia
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black salt
Bee products
Bombax
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Bupleurum
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Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Evodia
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
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Fang-Feng
Flavoglycosides
Frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Gallesia
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Galangal
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Products containing Lesser Galangal

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.