Organic Dried Lesser Galangal | Sitharathai | Alpinia Officinarum

Lesser Galangal has the botanical name of Alpinia Calcarata, which is native to India. It is a very easy to vigorous species to grow. This plant has a narrow foliage stem and is a prolific plant. The narrow stem is not as attractive as many of the better foliage Alpinia. The leaf color of this plant is dull dark green and lighter in the undersides of the leaves. The white with yellow and red variegated fragrant flowers are bloom in this plant, it is resembling snapdragons. 

The medium size red and white flower o this plant is attractive, this flower appears on the upright inflorescences. This plant is can grow well in the medium sun and well-drained rich soil. This plant has nice foliage but there is not much else going for it. The plant blooms the flower in the second year’s growth. This plant is growing up to 1.5 m in height. The leaves are glossy, green, narrow, and large.

The height of the leaves is 15-30 cm and the width is 2.5-5 cm. Rhizomes are narrowly oblong, this plant is much-branched and it grows horizontally in the soil flowers, large, in dense panicles. The Corolla segment of the flower is yellowish-white and is streaked with purple veins. The flowers, leaves, and rhizomes are aromatic.

Vernacular Names of Lesser Galangal

Health Benefits of Dried Lesser Galangal

• Dried Lesser Galangal benefits in the treatment of digestive problems.
• It is used for Rheumatic ailments.
• Galangal is a good digestive and respirative ailment for children and infants.
• It also increases sperm counts.
• Chitharathai is good medicine for headaches, cough, fever, and indigestion.

How to consume Chitharathai Internally:

Controls Cough: A piece of the rhizome of this plant is slowly chewed is good for a cough with sputum. It is also good for vomiting issues.

Handles Rheumatic Ailments: 1 to 3 gm of rhizome powder is thrice daily for rheumatic ailments.

Best for Infants & Children: Rhizome is baked and mixed with honey or breast milk will sort the digestive and respiratory problems of infants and children.

Cures Fever & Headache: Athimathuram, Arathai, Thalesapathri, and Thippili are powdered, mixed with an equal quantity of rhizome powder, and gives with the honey for headache, fever, and indigestion.

Treats digestive Problems: Use rhizome powder 1 to 5 gm twice daily before food for digestive problems.