Alpinia officinarum

Lesser galangal

Herbaceous perennial up to 1.5 metres high with long sessile leaves and an inconspicuous inflorescence. The succulent rhizome grows horizontally, and is yellow with a brown skin.

Lesser galangal is often used as a spice in chilli paste in Thai cuisine. When dried and made into tea it is said to ease stomach pains.
The flowers are eaten to treat coughs: they are so spicy that any croaky throat is immediately silenced!

Lesser galangal thrives in our Thai garden and, along with its popular rhizome, the entire plant is a fascinating sight.

Southeast Asia

Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)

Propagated on site, 2013

Lesser galangal is often used as a spice in chilli paste in Thai cuisine. When dried and made into tea it is said to ease stomach pains.
The flowers are eaten to treat coughs: they are so spicy that any croaky throat is immediately silenced!

Lesser galangal thrives in our Thai garden and, along with its popular rhizome, the entire plant is a fascinating sight.

Alpinia officinarum
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