Source Sharpleaf Galangal Fruit is the fruit ofAlpinia oxyphylla Miq., (Fam. Zingiberaceae).
Producing Area Hainan, Guangxi, Fujian, etc.
Properties Spicy, Warm
Channels Kidney, Spleen
Action
- Warms the spleen and preserves saliva
For spleen deficiency with salivation.
For cold-dampness of spleen and kidney manifested as abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea. - Preserves essence and decreases micturition
For deficiency-cold of kidney energy manifested as nocturnal emission, enuresis, nocturia, or slow and difficult discharge of urine, usually used together with Rhizoma Dioscoreae and Radix Linderae.
Usage and Dosage
3 – 10g is used in decoction, or in pills or powder.
- Stir-baked Yizhiren: For warming the spleen to stop diarrhoea and check saliva.
- Stir-baked with a salty solution: For preserving the essence, decreasing micturition.
Notes This material is better when combined withqi tonics. Contraindication: For deficiency of yin causing hyperactivity of yang, emission, frequent micturition, metrostaxis and metrorrhagia due to damp-heat.
The fruit is spindle-shaped or oval, 1.2 – 2cm long, 1 – 1.3cm in diameter. Its two ends are pointed. The surface is brown or grey brown with 13 – 20 irregular protruding longitudinal striations. The base of the perianth often remains. The seeds are separated into 3 chambers by a pale brown membrane. Each chamber contains 6 – 11 multi-faceted seeds of irregular shape. Yizhiren is hard. Its embryo is milk white. The flavour is pungent and slightly bitter, with a strong fragrance.
Storage
Keep in a cool and dry place. Protect it from moisture, moths, oil seeping and fragrance disappearing.
Description of Quality Herb
Good Yizhiren is full-grained, hard and fragrant, with a reddish white broken surface and reddish brown or grey brown seeds.
Pig Stomach Soup with Galangal
Effects This dish builds the spleen and stomach, benefits the heart and kidneys and revitalises the vital energy.
Ingredients
Pig stomach, 1, lean pork 200g, prickly lily seeds (euryale seeds), coix, lotus seeds, scurfpea and galangale seed 30g each, red dates 10, dried beancurd sticks 150g, water chestnuts 10, carrot 1 (sliced), mushrooms 10.
Preparation
- Wash the pig stomach, boil it and scrape the inside clean with a knife.
- Soak the lotus seeds and dried beancurd sticks for 1-2 hours, then place in the pig stomach with all the other ingredients except the lean meat.
- Place the stuffed stomach in a pot with an adequate amount of water. Bring to a boil, add the lean meat and stew for 2-3 hours.
Galangal Congee
Effects
This dish is beneficial to women undergoing menopause and elderly with a deficiency of yang in the spleen and kidneys. It also relieves ailments such as cold and aches in the abdominal region, congestion in the face, incontinence and bed-wetting.
Ingredients
Galangal seeds 5g, glutinous rice 50g, salt to taste.
Preparation
- Grind the galangal seeds finely.
- Cook the glutinous rice as congee. Add the powdered galangal and a pinch of salt, simmer for a few minutes longer and serve.