Galangal: Benefits, Nutrition, and Risks

Galangal, also known as Thai ginger, is a spice often used in traditional medicine around the world, especially in Thailand and Indonesia. The term galangal refers to the root of several plant species belonging to the Zingiberaceae or ginger family.

Galangal has many benefits, including treating pain and inflammation, improving fertility in people assigned male at birth, and reducing the risk of cancer.

Galangal root is rich in antioxidants that help protect against infection. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, molecules that can increase your risk of cancer and chronic health conditions.

Galangal is rich in quercetin, a flavonoid (plant pigment) that may lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It is also rich in gallic acid—an antioxidant that can fight inflammation. Some studies suggest gallic acid can help prevent gastrointestinal diseases and other health conditions like diabetes.

Galangal may reduce pain and inflammation by targeting chemical pathways that commonly cause autoimmune disorders. Some studies suggest that certain compounds in galangal can reduce inflammation symptoms.

A test-tube study found that pre-treating human cells with galangal extract reduced the release of chemicals and enzymes linked to inflammation while increasing chemicals that reduce inflammation.

One older study found that people with osteoarthritis (a condition affecting your joints) saw an improvement in their knee pain after six weeks of daily treatment with ginger and galangal extract. Some participants experienced mild gastrointestinal symptoms.

More research that includes human participants is needed to know how effectively galangal reduces pain and inflammation in the human body.

Galangal extract is commercially available as EnXtra—a supplement that boosts your brain health by improving your alertness and focus. Some evidence suggests that galangal may also increase levels of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in signaling processes in the functions of your brain.

Increasing the amount of dopamine in your body may also improve your spatial awareness. This makes it easier for your senses to be activated when observing your surroundings. One study found that galangal extract improved alertness, reaction time, and accuracy in participants who did not receive the placebo.

Data shows that galangal may help with sexual function and libido in people assigned male at birth. In a study of people assigned at birth experiencing infertility, 76 people saw improvements in sperm count after 12 weeks of taking capsules containing galangal extract.

Galangal may also help improve fertility in people taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—a type of antidepressant that reduces oxidative stress. One risk of SSRIs is that they can sometimes cause erectile dysfunction. A study found that taking galangal extracts improved blood flow to the testicles.

Another small study found that adding galanga extract to treatment significantly improved SSRI-induced erectile dysfunction compared to a placebo.

Essential oils from fresh and dried galangal root may help prevent the growth of various bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Bacterial cells like Staphylococcus aureus cause diseases in the human body. Harmful bacteria can lead to food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Some studies suggest that galangal may not be as effective despite its antibacterial properties because of how it interacts with certain foods.

Many unknown factors can lead to cancer. In many cases, some people are more likely to develop cancer due to genetics and environmental factors. Researchers believe the antioxidant galangin in galangal root may help kill tumor cells and prevent cancer cells from spreading.

One study found that galangin, quercetin, and other antioxidant compounds may help prevent several types of cancer, including gastric, cervical, and liver cancer. However, more human studies are still needed to determine the effectiveness of these compounds in cancer prevention.

Galangal supplements are available in capsule, powder, and liquid form. Several human studies have shown that galangal supplements may improve pain, inflammation, and cognitive function. However, these studies were not large enough to accurately determine the effectiveness of galangal supplements.

Consult your healthcare providers before adding galangal to your supplement routine.

Galangal is an ingredient in many Thai and Indonesian recipes. It is generally safe to consume. Some people may experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms like heartburn, indigestion, and nausea.

Eating a lot of galangal may also be risky for people who take blood thinners or have blood disorders. You should also avoid galangal supplements if you anticipate having surgery soon.

If you notice any itching, redness, or gastrointestinal symptoms while eating a meal with galangal, consult your healthcare provider. This may mean you are allergic to galangal or other spices in the ginger family.

While most supermarkets in the United States only carry ginger root, you can find galangal root at most local Asian markets and grocery stores. It can also be purchased online from health food stores and specialty spice shops. Galangal is a common ingredient in many South Asian recipes.

Here are some ways to incorporate more galangal into your diet:

• Slice fresh galangal into thin pieces and simmer in soups or broths (discard slices before serving)
• Add finely chopped galangal to salads, stir-fries, or dips
• Pound finely sliced or chopped galangal into a curry paste
• Use dried galangal powder in baked goods or curries

Fresh galangal can safely be stored in a refrigerator for around one week. If you can’t consume galangal immediately, you can freeze sliced galangal for later. Powder galangal also usually lasts longer than fresh galangal. Sliced galangal can be frozen for up to six weeks. Consult your healthcare provider before adding galangal to your supplement routine or diet.

Galangal is a root from the ginger family commonly used in Southeast Asia for cooking and medicinal purposes. It has many potential benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving fertility for people assigned male at birth, and maintaining brain health.

You can consume galangal in your favorite curries, soups, baked goods, or as a supplement. Consult your healthcare provider before adding galangal supplements to your routine.