ALPINIA OFFICINARUM

ALPINIA OFFICINARUM.—高良薑 (Kao-liang-chiang). Faber gives 山薑 (Shan-chiang), but this is probably a variety known as Alpinia japonica, or wild ginger. The plant under consideration produces the “lesser galangal root” of commerce, and it is from the Chinese name for this plant that the commercial term “galangal” is derived. Owing to the fact that Wildenow gave the name of Alpinia galanga to the plant which produces greater or Java galangal, botanical terminology in this case became separated from its point of origin. The Chinese name is derived from 高良, which was formerly the name of 高州府 Kao-chou-fu in Kuangtung province. The plant is sometimes called 蠻薑 (Man-chiang), or the “ginger of the Man-tzŭ,” aborigines of the southwestern part of China. The Pêntsao says that the plant is now found in every part of Southern China, and extending into Szechuan. Galangal root is about two inches long, less than half an inch in diameter, externally of a rust brown color, longitudinally striated and transversely marked with the remnants of the leaf sheaths. Internally it is greyish-brown, and breaks with a fibrous fracture. It has an agreeable aromatic odor and a warm aromatic taste, resembling that of mingled ginger and pepper. Stomachic, carminative, sialagogue, tonic, and antiperiodic properties are the most important of the effects ascribed to this drug, which has from ancient times, as at the present time, been held in much esteem by Chinese physicians.