Botanical Name
Alpinia galanga (L.) WILLD.
Family
Zingiberaceae.
Synonyms
Maranta galanga L. , Alpinia galanga var. galanga, Alpinia galanga var. pyramidata (Blume) K.Schum.
Regional Name
English : Greater galangal, Javagalangal
, Hindi : Kulanjan, Kulinjan,
Sanskrit :Sugandhmula, Malaya, Vaca, Sthulagranthih, MahabhariVaca, Rasna(South)
, Assamese :Khulanjaana
, Bengali :Kulanjan, KurachiVach
, Gujrati :KulinjanJaanu, Kolinjan
, Kannada :Doddarasagadde, Dhoomraasmi
, Malayalam :Aratta, Ciffaratta
, Marathi :Kulinlan, KoshtaKulinjan, MotheKolanjan
, Tamil :Arattai, Sittarattai
, Telugu :Dumparaastramu.
Part Used
Rhizome.
Description
Kulanjan plant is up to 2.0 m high, bearing perennial rhizome, growing in eastern Himalayas, southwest India, Indonesia and cultivated in
Malaysia and
Thailand. The roots are adventitious, in groups, fibrous, persistent in dried rhizomes, about 0.5 to 2 cm long and 0.1 to 0.2 cm in diameter and yellowish-brown in colour. Rhizomes are cylindrical, branched, 2 to 8 cm in diameter, longitudinally ridged with prominent rounded warts (remnants of roots) marked with fine annulations; scaly leaves are arranged circularly; externally reddish-brown, internally orange yellow in colour;fracture, hard and fibrous; fracture, surface rough; odour pleasant and aromatic; spicy and sweet in taste.
Phytoconstituents
Kulanjan contains Volatile oil, containing α - pinene, β - pinene, limonene, cineol,eugenol, terpinen - 4 - ol and α – terpineol, sesquiterpenes, isomers of cardinene and resin contains galangol, kaempferide, galangin, as well as starch and other constituents.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa :Katu, Tikta,
Guna : Guru,
Vipaka :Katu,
Virya :Usna,
Karma :Hrdya, Kanthya, Kaphahara, Rucya, Svarya, Vatahara, Visaghna, Pacani, Mukha Sodhaka.
Ayurvedic Applications
Asti, Sopha, Svasa, Hikka, Pratisyaya, Kampa, Kaphajakasa, Mahakustha, Udararoga, Vataja Sula, Vatavyadhi, Vismajvara.
Medicinal Uses
It is used in the digestion problems, and reduce constipation and vomiting. It is effective for ulcers and inflammation of the stomach. Galangal is improves blood circulation, especially in the hands and feet, thereby improving oxygen supply and nutrient supply to these parts. It is also used in respiratory problems like congestion and helps regulate breathing rate. The kulanjana herb is used extensively as a snuff for nasal infections. It is used as a tonic for cough and cold. Kulanjana powder is used against bad breath as a mouth freshener.