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GALANGAL (Kaempferia galanga)
INTRODUCTION :
Galangal (the fragrant rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga) has been valued for many centuries by the South-Asian people as a medicine, a psychoactive drug and as a spice; in the Indonesian kitchen slices of the fresh and dried rhizome are cooked with vegetable and meat dishes, in New Guinea it has been used as a hallucinogenic and in Malakka as an additive of poisonous arrow mixtures made from Antiaris toxicara. 5,9,10
In the literature the name 'galangal' is frequently associated with the plant Alpinia officinarum. This confusion might explain why some people do not achieve the desired psychoactive effects.
EFFECTS :
Altered perceptions (visual distortions), lucid thoughts, anxiolytic- and sedative-hypnotic activity. The hallucinogenic effects only appear when large doses are taken.
Autonomic changes: anticonvulsant activity, muscle relaxation, improved appetite
DURATION :
The effects of galangal start within an hour after ingestion and last three to five hours.
Dosage and preparation
To achieve psychoactive effects one should chew and swallow the plant material. Galangal may also be smoked, but this leads to a shorter and milder reaction. For this latter administration plant extracts are most effective.
One to ten grams of dried rhizome should be enough to produce psychoactive effects, but the dosage may vary significantly per person.
BOTANICAL ASPECTS :
This genus belongs to Zingileraceae and is widely distributed in the tropics and subtropics of Asia and Africa. The plant has ribbed (10-12) ovate green leaves (6-15 cm across), and white flowers. The flowers are characterized by a little purple spot on the lip.
PHYTOCHEMISTRY :
The rhizomes contain flavonoids (galangine, kaempferide), terpenoids and an aromatic oil (2.4-4 % by weight) that consists mainly of trans-cinnamic acid derivatives (25 % ethylcinnamate, 16-30 % ethyl-P-methoxycinnamate and P-methoxycinnamic acid). 3,4,6 3-carene-5one and starch were also present.4
Kaempferide is the 4’-monomethyl ether of kaempferol and galangine is the flavonol of chrisine. Chrisine has been isolated from of Passiflora caeruleas and appears to exhibit selective anxiolytic activity.
Tabel 1.14: Flavonoids
Trivial names Formal names
Galangine 3, 5,7-trihydroxy flavone
Kaempferide 3,5,7-trihydroxy, 4'-methoxy flavone
Chrisine (active constituent of Passiflora caeruleas) 5,7-dihydroxy flavone
PHARMACOLOGY :
Although little is known about the components that are responsible for the psychoactive effects, it is very well possible that the flavonoids are of major importance in the biological activity. This expectation is based on the fact that many closely related flavonoids (for example chrisine and flavone itself) appear to be naturally occuring ligands (agonists) on benzodiazepine receptors and thus exhibit allosteric modulation of the GABA-receptor-proteins.
These polyphenolic substances are metabolised in the gastrointestinal lumen and liver, but their pharmacokinetic data is still incomplete. They are, however, substrate for P-glycoproteins (MRP1 and MRP2), glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) and sulfotranferases (SULT).
The cinnamic acid derivatives probably do not contribute to the galangal experience.
MODIFIERS :
- The effects of alcohol are potentiated by benzodiazepine-receptor agonists (flavonoids).2
- Effects of opium and the opium alkaloids (Papaver somniferum) may be altered.
- The effects of hypnotica (barbiturates and benzodiazepine receptor agonists) may also be potentiated.2 Thus it is possible that galangal and passionflower (when taken simultaneously) exhibit synergic activity.
REFERENCES :
1. [Erlund]
2. [Forth/ Henschler/ Rummel/ Fostermann/ Starke, 2001]
3. [Grieve]
4. [Oller, 2001]
5. [Ratsch, 1998]
6. [Karrer, 1950]
7. [Williamson, 2001]
8. [Wolfman/ Paladini/ Medina/ Levi de stein/ Calvo/ Diaz, 1999]
9. [Hoffmann/ Schultes, 1970]
10. [Schultes,1969]
(Text by Wout.) |
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