Alpinia Galanga

Alpinia galanga, commonly known as Thai ginger, is native to Southeast Asia and is used there as a food, spice and natural remedy in traditional Chinese medicine (1). Alpinia galanga is also known as galangal root, Thai ginger and Siamese ginger. Alpinia galanga belongs to the ginger plant family and, similar to ginger, the root stem of the plant is also used for Alpinia galanga. The root stem has a characteristic smell reminiscent of black pepper and pine. The similar appearance to the ginger root stem has led to the more widespread name Thai ginger. In some traditional systems of medicine, Alpinia galanga is considered superior to ginger.

In traditional medicine, Alpinia galanga is used to alleviate and treat a range of ailments. Alpinia galanga is believed to help treat infections, reduce inflammation, improve male fertility and even fight certain types of cancer.

What is EnXtra®?

EnXtra® is a clinically studied and standardized Alpinia galanga root extract. Human studies have shown that ExnXtra® works synergistically with caffeine. In a clinical study, supplementation with EnXtra® supported attention and focus. It has been clinically proven that EnXtra® can increase alertness and focus with and without caffeine for up to 5 hours. EnXtra® has been used as a substitute for caffeine, as well as in combination with caffeine to prevent a rapid onset of effects and to prolong the nootropic effects of caffeine (2).

EnXtra® was developed by Enovate Biolife and is standardized for the total content of polyphenols (at least 3%), flavanoids (at least 4%), polysaccharides (at least 20%) and pyrocatecolic tannins (at least 1%). The manufacturer guarantees that the plants used to produce the extract are grown without the use of pesticides and that the end product is gluten-free, vegan, kosher and halal.

The key mechanisms of Alpinia galanga at a glance

Cognitive function:

Support of mental alertness (2)
Support of attention (3)
Support of memory performance (4, 5)

Brain function:

Possesses nerve-protective properties (4, 5, 6)
Possesses CNS stimulating activity (7)
Supports locomotor activity and motor coordination (7)
Downregulation of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels and activity in the brain (4, 5)
Downregulation of monoamine oxidase (MAO) levels and activity in the brain (5)

Antioxidant protection

Up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes in the brain ( superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPx]) (4, 5, 6, 8)
Replenishment of glutathione levels (GSH) (8)
Downregulation of lipid peroxidation (6, 8)

Other effects

Supports healthy cardiometabolic parameters (8, 9)
Has immune system stimulating activity (10).

Synergies

Caffeine - Supports prolonged alertness (2)

The main benefits of Alpinia galanga for athletes include:

Increased alertness and focus
Enhancement of the nootropic effects of caffeine
Supporting cognitive function and overall brain function

Potential health benefits of Alpinia galanga

Alpinia galanga has been used for centuries, if not millennia, in traditional medicine to treat various ailments and a growing number of scientific studies support these uses.

Alpinia galanga is rich in antioxidants

The root of Alpinia galanga is a rich source of antioxidants - beneficial plant compounds that help fight disease and protect the body's cells from free radical damage. Alpinia galanga is particularly rich in polyphenols, a group of antioxidants that have been linked to health benefits such as improved memory and lower blood sugar and LDL cholesterol levels. (11, 12, 13, 14).

Polyphenols are also believed to protect against mental decline, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Both ginger and turmeric - close relatives of Alpinia galanga - are rich in polyphenols and have been linked to these benefits (15, 16, 17, 18, 19). However, there are as yet no studies that have directly linked Alpinia galanga to these effects, meaning that further research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Alpinia galanga could protect against certain types of cancer

Alpinia galanga root may help protect the body against certain types of cancer. Studies conducted in test tubes suggest that the active compound in Alpinia galanga root, known as galagin, may kill or prevent the spread of cancer cells (20, 21, 22, 23, 24). For example, one study highlighted the ability of Alpinia galanga to kill two strands of colon cancer cells. Other studies suggest that Alpinia galanga could also fight breast cancer, gallbladder cancer, skin cancer and liver cancer cells (20, 25, 26, 27, 28).

However, it should also be mentioned that these discoveries made in the test tube are not necessarily applicable to humans. Although these results are promising, further human studies are needed.

Alpinia galanga could increase male fertility

New research suggests that Alpinia galanga could increase male fertility. In a study conducted with animals, sperm count and sperm motility increased in rats treated with an Alpinia galanga root extract (29). In addition, 66 men with low sperm quality experienced a 62% increase in sperm motility in a three-month study with a supplement containing Alpinia galanga root and pomegranate fruit extract, while only a 20% increase was observed in the placebo group (30).

Even if these results are interesting. It is unclear whether they can be attributed to the Alpinia galanga root extract or the pomegranate fruit extract. Further human studies are needed to determine the effects of Alpinia galanga root extract on male fertility.

Alpinia galanga could fight inflammation and pain

Alpinia galanga root may reduce pathogenic inflammation because it contains HMP - a naturally occurring phytochemical that test-tube and animal studies suggest has potent anti-inflammatory properties (31, 32, 33, 34). Indeed, plants of the Zingiberaceae family, to which Alpinia galanga belongs, appear to have the ability to reduce pain, which is a common symptom of inflammation (35).

In a six-week study of 261 subjects suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, 63% of subjects who took ginger and an Alpinia galanga extract daily reported a reduction in their knee pain while standing, while only 50% of subjects in the placebo group reported a reduction in pain (36). However, further studies on the pain-relieving effects of Alpinia galanga root are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Alpinia galanga could protect against infections

Essential oils that can be extracted from Alpinia galanga root could fight a wide range of microorganisms. In this way, the Alpinia galanga root could extend the shelf life of certain foods. In addition, the addition of fresh Alpinia galanga root to recipes could reduce the risk of vibriosis - an infection that can be caused by eating undercooked shellfish (37, 38).

Furthermore, test tube studies suggest that Alpinia galanga root may kill harmful bacteria including E. coli, Staphyloccocus aureus and Salmonella Typhi, although the effectiveness appears to vary from study to study (12, 39, 40). Finally, some studies suggest that Alpinia galanga root may also protect against fungal infections, yeast infections and parasites. However, not all studies agree on this (12, 41).

Alpinia galanga root has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and is likely to be safe and harmless when used in the amounts typically found in food (42). Aside from this, there is little information regarding safe dosages or potential side effects of using larger amounts as found in supplements.

One study conducted in animals observed that doses in the range of 2000 mg per kilogram of body weight resulted in serious side effects including a drop in energy, lack of appetite, excessive urination, diarrhea, coma and even death (43). These side effects did not occur at significantly lower doses of 300 mg per kilogram of body weight (43). All in all, however, there is a lack of reliable information regarding the safety and potential side effects of Alpinia galanga root supplements in humans.

How is Alpinia galanga similar to ginger and turmeric?

Alpinia galanga is closely related to ginger and turmeric and all three of these roots can be used fresh or dried to flavor food, although the taste of these spices differs. Scientific research associates all three spices with similar health benefits. Alpinia galanga root, ginger and turmeric are all rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce joint stiffness and pain (36, 44, 45, 46).

In addition, all three spices contain compounds that may prevent or fight various forms of cancer (47, 48). Apart from this, Alpinia galanga root is the only one of the three plants that has been shown to potentially increase male fertility. In contrast, the known anti-nausea effects of ginger and its ability to aid gastric emptying have not been observed in either Alpinia galanga root or turmeric (29, 30, 49, 50, 51).

Ginger and turmeric have been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, prevention of memory loss, and protection against age-related decline in brain function (15, 16, 17, 18). Based on the similarities, Alpinia galanga root may also have similar benefits.