Alpinia
Scientific names: Alpinia officinarum, Languas officinarum
Family: Zingiberaceae
Alternate names: Alpinie, Catarrh Root, China Root, Chinese Ginger, Chittarattai, Colic Root, East India Catarrh Root, East India Root, Galanga, Galanga Camphré, Galanga Minceur, Galangal, Galangal Officinal, Galangal Root, Galangale, Galgant, Galingale, Gao Liang, Gao Liang Jiang, Gargaut, Gingembre Rouge, India Root, Lengkuas, Lesser Galangal, Petit Galanga, Racine de Galanga, Radix Alpiniae Officinarum, Rasna, Rhizome Galangae, Smaller Galangal
Actions: Antiallergic, Antianaphylactic, Antibacterial, Antiemetic, Antifungal, Antihemorrhagic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antinociceptive, Antioxidant, Antiparkinson, Antiplatelet, Anti-tumor, Antivenom, Cardiovascular, Fatty acid synthase inhibition, Gastroprotective, Glucose, Immunostimulatory, Insecticidal activity, Neurologic, Nitric oxide inhibition
Background
Alpinia (Alpinia officinarum) is a plant that is related to ginger. The underground stem (rhizome) is sometimes used to make medicine.
Alpinia contains chemicals that might block certain steps in the swelling (inflammation) pathway.
People use alpinia for fevers, muscle spasms, intestinal gas, and swelling (inflammation), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Alpinia contains chemicals that might block certain steps in the swelling (inflammation) pathway.
People use alpinia for fevers, muscle spasms, intestinal gas, and swelling (inflammation), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Alpinia is commonly consumed in foods. Alpinia is possibly safe when taken by mouth in larger amounts as medicine. It may cause upset stomach in some people.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if alpinia is safe or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if alpinia is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if alpinia is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using alpinia for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of alpinia might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Antacids
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Antacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Alpinia can increase stomach acid. Taking alpinia might decrease the effects of antacids.
Indomethacin (Tivorbex)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Alpinia might increase how quickly the body gets rid of indomethacin. This might decrease the effects of indomethacin.
Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
H2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acid. Alpinia can increase stomach acid. Taking alpinia might decrease the effects of H2-blockers.
Some common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).
Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Proton pump inhibitors are used to decrease stomach acid. Alpinia can increase stomach acid. Taking alpinia might decrease the effects of proton pump inhibitors.
Some common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/05/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 24/09/2022 07:52:20. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
