Botanical Name :
Alpinia calcarata Rosc.
Family :
Zingiberaceae
Introduction :
Throughout southern India, the rhizome of Alpinia galanga is used as Raasnaa
Names in different Indian languages :
English : Lesser Galangal
Hindi : Kulanajan
Kannada : doddarasagadda
Malayalam : Aratta,cittaratta, kolinji
Sanskrit : Rasna
Tamil : Arattai,peraattai
Telugu : Dumparastramu
Synonyms :
Kulanjana, Sthuulagranthi, Sugandhaa, Ugragandhaa,
Malaya Vachaa, Mahaabhari- Vachaa.
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) :
Substitute for Raasnaa (Pluchea lanceolata)
Plants used as Raasnaa in Indian medicine: Alpinia galangaWilld. (Zingiberaceae) in southern India; Pluchea lanceolata C. B. Clarke (Compositae; Asteraceae) in Uttar Pradesh; Vanda roxburghii R. Br. (Orchidaceae) in eastern Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal; Blepharispermum subsessile DC. (Compositae; Asteraceae) in Madhya Pradesh; and Dodonaea viscosa (Linn.) Jacq. (Sapindaceae) in AndhraPradesh.
Morphology :
Perennial shrub, aromatic one , resembles to ginger leaves, aromatic.
Leaves – smaller than A.galanga oblong ,glabrous,acuminate. Edge is Sharpe
Flower – fragrant, greenish white, dense pedicles.
Fruits – capsule- orange red
Mode of propagation by rhizome.
Distribution & Habitat :
Mainly in South India
Chemical constituents :
methyl cinnamate, cineole and d-pinene
Properties :
Rasa- katu,tikta
Guna- laghu
Virya- ushna
Vipaka- katu
Karma :
deepana,pachana, vedana hara, kaph-vatha hara
Srotogamitva :
Dosha : vatha-kapha hara
Dhatu : asthi, maja
Mala :mutrala
Organ : bone, bone marrow
Internal uses :
Nervous system: Nerve tonic.
Digestive system: Carminative,
Respiratory system: Expectorant
Urinary system:
Reproductive system: Unani physicians use A. galanga as a sex tonic
Indication :
Rhizome—carminative (in dyspepsia), stomachic, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory. Useful in diabetes, asthma,tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cough, obesity, fever, O.A.
Part used :
Rhizome
Dosage :
Rhizome—2-3 g powder.
Decoction—50-100 ml
Therapeutic Uses :
Rasna powder + honey useful in gout
Rasna powder in milk useful in osteo-arthritis
Important Yogas or Formations :
Rasna sapthakam, rasna panchkam kashaya
