高良姜 / 小良姜 / 蛮姜 — Alpinia officinarum Hance

Pinyin: Gāoliángjiāng / Xiǎoliángjiāng · Malay: Lengkuas Kecil / Kencur Hutan · Family: Zingiberaceae (姜科)

Energetics

Hot (热 / 大温)

Flavor

Pungent, acrid, intensely aromatic (辛、大香)

Meridians

Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃)

Traditional Edict

Warms Stomach to dispel cold, eliminates food stagnation, arrests vomiting and colic. Sovereign remedy for Stomach cold-pain, sudden epigastric colic, watery vomiting, and travel sickness.

Cautions & Contraindications

Smaller, redder, and far hotter than Greater Galangal. STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED in Stomach-Fire heat patterns (burning reflux, foul breath, red tongue with yellow dry coat).

Clinical Applications

Chronic cold-type gastritis, H. pylori-associated peptic ulcers, diabetic gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and chemotherapy nausea.

Quality Markers

Galangin (高良姜素) >= 0.70% (Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Galangin downregulates IKK/NF-kB, suppresses TNF-a, IL-1b, COX-2, elevates mucosal glutathione, and accelerates ulcer healing. 2. Disrupts H. pylori urease activity and membrane integrity. 3. Diarylheptanoids block calcium channels in gastric smooth muscle, resolving colic.

Preparation & Dosage

Sliced dried rhizomes decocted 15-20 minutes: 3-6 g daily (up to 10 g for severe cramps). Swallowed as fine powder: 1-2 g. Standardized Galangin extract: 150-300 mg.

Appended Prescriptions

1. The Classical Liang Fu Wan (良附丸) with Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu) for cold-stagnation stomach cramps and nausea. 2. Gastro-Warming Decoction with Amomum villosum and Pogostemon cablin.

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Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only