Kaempferia galanga L. is a stemless, rhizomatous, aromatic, perennial and indigenous herb. It is an important Indian medicinal herb that has a long history of use in the treatment of several kinds of human ailments including vata ailments like cough and cold, fever, headache, pains disorders, skin diseases, rheumatic diseases, arthritis, joint fractures, vertigo, wounds, gastritis, antidote for snake venoms, inflammation, blood vomiting, mouth sores and tongue blisters in infants. Moreover, the rhizomes of this plant are highly aromatic and have been used widely as spices, in food flavoring, pickles, cosmetics and in perfumery products.
Medicinal plants have been used to provide the primary health care needs by the tribal and folk communities for many centuries throughout the world. K. galanga is one of the most important medicinal herbs which have been used traditionally as folklore medicine by the people of India particularly Southern and North-east states. The documentation of ethnomedicinal uses of plants can play an important role to lead the discovery of novel and effective drugs.
The K. galanga is a stemless, rhizomatous, aromatic perennial herb belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and genus Kaempferia.
