Properties

• Rhizomes considered aromatic, carminative,

diuretic, stimulant, expectorant.
• Studies on extracts suggest anti-inflammatory,
analgesic, nematicidal, repellent, larvicidal,
vasorelaxant, sedative, antineoplastic,
antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiallergic and
wound healing properties.

Parts utilized
Rhizomes, leaves.

Uses
Edibility / Culinary
- Plant used for flavoring rice.
- In Thailand, rhizome is an ingredient for soups and curries.
- In Indonesia, used as a spice.
Folkloric
- In the Philippines, the rhizome mixed with oil is an effective cicatrizant
(healing by scar formation). Internally, decoction rhizome decoction used as
tonic and carminative, for dyspepsia, headaches and ague. Decoction used as
gargle and for alleviating coughs.
- In the Visayas, rhizomes given to women after childbirth.
- Leaves, topically, for sore throat.
- For mumps, rhizomes are chopped and applied as poultice on the swollen
glands for 30 minutes 3 times daily.
- Sliced rhizomes topically to furuncles to hasten ripening.
- Hot roasted rhizomes are applied on rheumatic afflictions.
- Poultice and lotions of leaves and rhizomes for sore throat, fevers, swellings,
rheumatism, sore eyes.
- Rhizomes used as wash for dandruff or head scabs.
- Leaves used as perfume in washing hair.
- Internally, decoction of rhizomes used as a tonic; also, for dyspepsia,
headache, and malarial chills.
- Rhizomes have been used postpartum.
- Rhizomes when chewed are useful for alleviating coughs.
- Rhizome decoction applied to wounds with purulency and coagulated blood.
- In India powder or ointment of rhizome applied to wounds and bruises to
reduce swellings; also, to mumps and cancerous swellings.
- In China, decoction or powder used for indigestion, colds, abdominal pains,
headache and toothache.
- In Malaysia, used for stomach pains and cough.
- In Ayurveda, used for inflammatory diseases, diabetes and obesity.
- In Thailand, rhizomes used for toothaches, abdominal pain, muscular
swelling and rheumatism (Ridtitid et al. 2008) (37)
Others
- Cosmetics: Rhizome is used for cosmetics, making of perfumes and
protecting clothes from insects.
- In Borneo, used in the preparation of yeast and dyes.
- Repellent: Rhizomes used to preserve cloths from insects.
- Incense: An ingredient of many Tibetan and Japanese incense formulas,
believed to promote awareness and overcome physical exhaustion. (28)

Studies
• Volatile Oil / Antimicrobial: Study showed the essential oil of K. galanga
could be used for treatment of microbial infections which supports the
traditional use of the plant for the treatment of some fungal and bacterial skin
diseases. (1)
• Larvicidal: Methanol extracts of the plant shown to have larvicidal activity
against dog roundworm Toxocara canis.
• Amebicidal: Found to be effective as an amebicide against Acanthamoeba.
• Antiviral: Found to inhibit activity of Epstein-Barr virus.
• Wound Healing: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of
flavonoids in K galanga with enhanced wound contraction effect that could be
of use in the healing of open wounds. (3)
• Sedative: Sedative activity of hexane extract of Kaempferia galanga L. and
its 2 active aromatic compounds (ethyl trans-p-methoxycinnamate and ethyl
cinnamate). Study results showed considerable sedative and relaxant effects
suggesting a potential for its application in aromatherapy. (4)
• Antitumor: Zingiberaceae rhizomes used in traditional Malaysian medicine,
including K. galanga, were screened for antitumor promoter activity. Seven,
including K galanga, were found to possess inhibitory activity towards TPA-
induced EBV activation with not cytotoxicity effect. Study results suggest a
potential for the development of cancer prevention methods at the tumor-
promoting stage. (5)
• Toxicity Studies / Rhizome: Ethanolic rhizome extract of K galanga was
evaluated for acute and subacute toxicities in rats. In acute toxicity testing,
oral administration of 5g/kg produced no mortality or changes in body or organ
weights, with no gross or histopathological changes. In subchronic toxicity
testing, no mortality was noted at varying doses from 25 to 100 mg/kg with no
changes in hematological parameters. No sign of irritation was observed in
the dermal irritation test of the hexane fraction. (6)
• Hypolipidemic: Oral administration of extracts in high-cholesterol fed wistar
rats lowered the serum and tissue levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides,
phospholipids, with an increase in HDL. (7)
• Antinociceptive: Methanol extract of KG markedly demonstrated
antinociceptive action in experimental animals, probably through b both
peripherally and centrally mediated mechanisms involving opioid receptors.
The results support its traditional use for pain in various disorders. (8) Study
evaluated the antinociceptive activity of various extracts of rhizomes and
leaves of K. galanga using acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and tail
immersion test in Swiss albino mice. Results showed the acetone extract and
fractions of rhizome and leaves exhibited antinociceptive property. (31)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Analgesic : Study of alcoholic extract of K. galanga in
rats exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan and
cotton pellet granuloma model and significant analgesic activity in the tail flick
model. (10)
• Mosquitocidal / Phenylpropanoids : KG rhizome-derived materials, esp
ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate showed activity against the larvae of three
mosquito species. Results suggest potential and further study as a mosquito
control agent. (11)
• Larvicidal / Repellent: Hexane fraction was found to exhibit the highest
larvicidal effect toward fourth instar Culex quinquefasciatus. In a lab study, it
showed repellency against Aedes aegypti. In a field study, it could protect
against certain mosquitos. Also, the hexane fraction showed no dermal
irritation when applied to human skin. (12)
• Nematicide / Fumigant: Study of rhizome-derived material, esp a methanol
extract, suggest a potential for KG as a nematicide and hatching inhibitor for
control of M. incognita as fumigant with contact action. (13)
• Cosmetic Use / Sun Protection: 100% extract from roots of KG suggested
as all-natural source of ethyl-methoxycinnamate with its sun-protecting
property. A patented application has been made on its action against
ultraviolet rays and its augmenting boost on the activity of conventional
sunscreens.
• Anti-Acne: An extract preparation from the roots of KF using a proprietary
extraction process has been found to be active against Propionibacterium
acnes, with a potential benefit in the management of acne. (14)
• Phytochemistry and Medicinal Properties / Antinociceptive: Studies on
extracts suggest anti-inflammatory, analgesic, nematicidal, repellent, larvicidal,
vasorelaxant, sedative, antineoplastic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiallergic
and wound healing properties. The pharmacologic properties are attributed
mostly to ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate and ethyl-cinnamate. The antinociceptive
effect is comparable to aspirin. The nematicidal effect is more potent than
Carbofuran and metham sodium. (18)
• Anticarcinogenic Effects: Three compounds isolated from K. galanga were
studied for anti-carcinogenic effects. Results on various assays and testing
showed both -cis and -trans ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate exert a relatively
strong anti-carcinogenic potential. (19)
• In vitro Antimicrobial Effects: Various extracts were tested for
antimicrobial activity against ten human pathogenic bacteria. All extracts
showed significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. The highest zone of
inhibition was an ethanolic extract against Staphylococcus aureus. (20)
• Ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate / Anti-Inflammatory / Anti-Angiogenic: Study
investigated the mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic
effects of ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate isolated from Kaempferia galanga.
Results suggest significant anti-inflammatory potential by inhibition of pro-
inflammatory cytokines and angiogenesis, thus inhibiting the main functions of
endothelial cells. (22)
• Effect on Cytochrome P450 Enzymes Expression: Study investigated the
effect of ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (EPMC) extract from the rhizome of
Kaempferia galanga on cytochrome P450 expression in mouse primary
hepatocytes. Results showed EPMC, a major component of the K galanga
rhizome, is a weak inducer of CYP1A subfamily and it can modulate the
inductive effect of some typical CYP1A inducers. (23)
• Dental Plaque Prevention: Study evaluated the potency of Kaempferia
galanga extract and essential oil as anti-plaque agent based on their inhibitory
activity against planktonic growth and biofilm of Streptococcus mutans. The
ethanol extract and essential oil antibacterial and antibiofilm activity towards
S. mutans. The essential oil showed higher antibiofilm activity while the
ethanol extract showed more potent antibacterial activity. The compound
responsible for antibacterial activity was ethyl para methoxy cinnamate. (24)
• Increase Apoptosis Activity in Colon Cancer Cells / Oil Fraction: Study
showed an oil fraction from K. galanga alcoholic extract increased apoptosis
activity in mice colon cancer. The most effective dose of oil fraction containing
ethyl p-methoxycinnamate was 23.4 mg/kg body weight of mice. (25)
• Green Synthesis of Nanoparticles: Study showed silver nanoparticles (Ag-
NPs) were rapidly synthesized by treating silver ions through a simple and
green synthetic route using water extract of the rhizomes of Kaempferia
galanga Linn.(KG), which acted simultaneously as a reductant and stabilizer.
(26)
• Vasorelaxant Active Compound: A crude dichlormethane extract of K.
galanga on brine shrimp lethality testing showed potent bioactivity with an
E[D.sub.50] value of 7.92 [+ or -] 0.13 [micro]g [ml.sup.-1]. The extract
induced a dose-related reduction of basal mean arterial pressure (MAP) (130
[+ or -] 5 mm Hg) in the anaesthetized rat, with maximal effects seen after 5-
10 min of injection. (27)
• Sedative / CNS Depressant Activity / Rhizome and Leaf: Study
investigated the sedative activity of different extracts of rhizomes and leaf of
K. galanga by thiopental sodium induced sleeping time, hole cross and open
field tests in Swiss albino mice. Results showed acetone extracts of rhizome
and leaf including fractions exhibited CNS depressant effects. (29)
• Antidiarrheal Activity: Study evaluated the antidiarrheal activity of acetonic
extract of K. galanga and ethanolic extract of o G. paniculata in a castor oil-
induced diarrhea model in mice. Both extracts showed significant inhibition
(p<0.05-0.001) and a dose-dependent decrease in total number of faecal
dropping in castor oil-induced diarrhea. (30)
• Anthelmintic / Insecticidal / Rhizomes: Study evaluated the anthelmintic
and insecticidal activities of various extracts of K. galanga rhizome. Extract
exhibited dose-dependent anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma.
Insecticidal evaluation showed potent activity with 100% mortality of rice
insects Sitophilus oryzae in a dose-dependent manner. (32)
• Sunscreening Activity / Volatile Oil Formulation / Rhizomes: Study
evaluated a sunscreen oil-in-water cream incorporated with volatile oil isolated
from K. galanga for sun-screening property with sunscreen preparations
containing 3 5, and 7% w/w of volatile oil. Major chemical ingredients of the
volatile oil were ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (43.35%) and ethyl cinnamate
(29.56%). The SPF (sun protection factor) of the 7% volatile oil was 0.67 unit /
1% volatile oil which is comparable to marketed sunscreen products. The
volatile oil extracted from the rhizomes of Kg is an all-natural source of
cinnamate derivatives shown to enhance sun protection. (33)
• Hypopigmentary Effects / Ethyl P-Methoxycinnamate: Ethyl p-
methoxycinnamate, isolated from the chloroform fraction of an ethanol extract
of K. galanga, was found to significantly decreases melanin synthesis in
B16F10 murine melanoma cells stimulated with a-melanocyte stimulating
hormone (a-MSH). Results suggest the pigment-inhibitory effect results of E-
pM results from downregulation of tyrosinase. Ethyl p0methoxycinnamate
from K. galanga has potential as skin whitening agent to treat
hyperpigmentary disorders. (34)
• Antifungal / Pathogenic Fungus Saprolegnia parasitica from
Fish: Ethanol crude extract of roots of K. galanga showed high antifungal
activity against fish fungus S. parasitica H2. (35)
• Wound Healing Activity / Dexamethasone Suppressed Wound
Healing: Study evaluated the effect of an ethanolic extract of Kaempferia
galanga in dexamethasone suppressed wound healing in Wistar rats.
Coadministration of extract with dexamethasone showed significant reduction
in the epithelialization time with significant increase (p<0.001) tissue breaking
strength. In the excision wound model, K. galanga significantly increased
(p<0.05) percentage of wound contraction. (37) (38)
• Repellent / Insecticidal / Essential Oil / Rhizomes: Study evaluated the
chemical composition and repellent and insecticidal activities of essential oil of
K. galanga rhizomes against booklouse, Liposcelis bostrychophila. Bioactivity-
guided fractionation yielded four active components viz. 1,8-cineole, ethyl
cinnamate, ethyl ρ-methoxycinnamate, and trans-cinnamaldehyde. The
essential oil showed contact toxicity against the booklouse with LC50 of 68.6
µg/cm2. The essential oil also showed fumigant toxicity against the booklouse
with LC50 of 1.5 mg/liter air. Results suggest a potential for the oil as source
of natural insecticides or fumigants and repellents for control of insects in
stored grains. (39)
• Suppression of Melanin Synthesis: Study evaluated a methanolic extract
of K. galanga on melanogensis and signaling pathway in B16F10 cells. The
extract significantly inhibited a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH)-
induced melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity. Results suggest inhibition
of phospho-CREB and MITF expression may lead to suppression of
melanogenesis in MKG-treated B16 cells. (40)

Availability
- Wildcrafted.
- In the cybermarket, as dried rhizome or powdered form.