1249. Alpinia Galanga, Sw., H.F.B.I., VI., 253.
Sans. :—Dumparástma, kúlinjâna.
Vern. :—Kúlanján, bará-kúlanján, Bare vâ malabari-pán-ki-jar (H.); kúlinján (B.); Kolinjan (Guj.); Kosht-kulinján (Mar.); Kunjar, kathi (Sind.); Khúlánjáne-qasbi, khúlanján-e-kabîr (Arab.); Khusrave-dârúe-kalán (Pers.); Pera-rattai (Tam.); Pedda-dumpa-rásh-trakam (Tel.); Peraratta (Mal.); Dumpa-rásmi (Kan).); Padagoji (Burm.).
Habitat :—Throughout India.
Uses :—The rhizomes of this species are aromatic, pungent, and bitter, and are used in the form of an infusion in fever, rheumatism, and catarrhal affections. As a drug, they are supposed to improve the voice. The aromatic tubers are sometimes used as carminative or fragrant adjunct in complex prescriptions, but they have nothing peculiar in their properties or action. (U. C. Dutt.) How far these properties may have been intended to be attributed to this root-stock or should have rather been given to A. officinarum, cannot be accurately determined. The statements of Indian authors have to be accepted for the present, but it seems probable that future enquiry may show that, while both the greater and the lesser galangals are regularly imported into India, as far as their medicinal properties are concerned, the former is only used as substitute for the latter, being commercially less valuable and less active in its therapeutic properties. It is, however, difficult to determine in many cases to which species authors refer. Dr. Irvine, in his Medical Topography of Ajmere, says: “Rhizome of this plant is hot and stimulating; used in mesalihs, has a sweet scent; is put into bazar spirits to make it more intoxicating.” This habit of flavouring spirits with galangal also prevails in Russia. The seeds also possess similar medicinal properties.
“Hakims use it in impotence, bronchitis, and dyspepsia. It is disinfectant, used to destroy bad smells in the mouth or any other part of the body. It is also advocated in diabetes mellitus.” (Asst. Surg. J. N. Dey, Jaipur.) “In Mysore a domestic medicine, much used by old people with bronchial catarrh.” (Surg.-Maj. John North.)
The botanical description (p. 1262) and the two paragraphs on the chemistry of the root and its oil (p. 1263) are not transcribed.