Kalgan (or cinquefoil erect) is a perennial plant that belongs to the rose family, genus Potentilla. The root of the galangal is powerful, unevenly thickened, branched, branched-forked, thin stems depart from it. The leaves on the stem are wedge-serrate, sessile or short-petiolate.
At the ends of low stems are small single flowers with 4 yellow petals. Kalgan blooms in spring.
Growing places
Potentilla, which lives throughout the Earth in natural conditions, has more than 150 species. Basically Kalgan grows in Eurasia. Its ranges are all of Europe, Western Asia and the Caucasus. The plant prefers moist soils, good lighting and open spaces. Willingly settles on slopes, forest glades, wastelands, pastures and slopes.
Galgan (root): medicinal properties
Kalgan is a real "friend" of the stomach. It contains in its composition the tanning agent catechin, which has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and on the stomach as well. In addition, the plant is rich in various types of tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, flobafen, resin, quinic and ellagic acids, as well as essential oils.
Galangal root, the photo of which can be seen in this article, has astringent, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, bactericidal action. Therefore, it is widely used to treat enterocolitis, flatulence, peptic ulcer, gastritis, uterine, intestinal and gastric bleeding, diarrhea, dysentery and cystitis.
In the form of an external remedy, galangal root is also used. A tincture of it is used to gargle an inflamed throat, bleeding gums, and a decoction in the form of lotions saves from poorly healing wounds, frostbite, hemorrhoids and burns. To prevent bad breath, a fine powder of the plant can be brushed on teeth, while mixing it with a simple paste. It should also be noted that the extract of galangal root is found in many medicinal collections and herbal teas.
Dose forms
Galgan root is the used part of the plant. It is dug up and harvested during spring or early autumn. Clean with stiff brushes from soil residues and impurities, rinsing in cold clean water. Small cracks may still remain unwashed, therefore, after drying, you need to shake the roots on metal grates to remove remaining particles of dirt.
Galangal root, the use of which saves a person from many diseases, needs to be dried quickly, therefore, it is laid out in the sun in a thin layer. The extract is used to make tinctures, teas, powders and decoctions.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Kalgan is used in traditional medicine recipes in the treatment of the following diseases of the gastrointestinal tract:
- colitis;
- gastric ulcer;
- duodenal ulcer;
- gastritis;
- cholecystitis;
- enterocolitis;
- diarrhea.
Also, galangal preparations make it possible to cope with various diseases of the lungs, liver, oral cavity, ears and throat. External use of drugs is indicated for the following diseases:
- skin cracks;
- weeping eczema;
- burns;
- inflammatory processes;
- hemorrhoids;
- fungi.
Tinctures and decoctions of galangal have long been used as anti-inflammatory, astringent, hemostatic and choleretic agents for bleeding. At the present moment, this plant has found its application in the treatment of hemorrhoids and trichomonas colpitis.
Also in folk medicine, galangal is used in the treatment of pathologies such as:
- thyroid disease;
- angina;
- gout;
- hematomas;
- frostbite;
- intestinal and renal colic;
- inflammation of the nasopharynx;
- bronchial asthma;
- bleeding gums;
- emphysema;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- painful periods;
- bronchitis;
- insomnia;
- convulsions;
- jaundice;
- rheumatism;
- dysentery.
Tea against diarrhea: add a teaspoon of dried rhizome to a glass of boiling water, simmer for ten minutes over low heat, strain and drink 3 cups a day without sugar. You can also gargle with this tea for inflammation of the tonsils.
Decoction to eliminate bleeding, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: take galangal root (2 tablespoons), pour a glass of water, boil. Then squeeze, add a little boiled warm water. Use a tablespoon of decoction each time before meals.
Tincture for bleeding of internal organs: 5 tablespoons of galangal root extract should be poured with vodka (0.5 l), left for two weeks, then be sure to strain, and squeeze the raw material. Drink ½ glass three times a day before eating. Bath tincture and
rinses are diluted in 0.5 liters of water and used for the necessary purposes.
Decoctions and ointments
Galangal root, the properties of which are described in detail in this article, in the form of decoctions and ointments, is an excellent antimicrobial agent. They are applied externally as compresses or lotions for burns and bleeding purulent wounds, are effective for cracks, frostbite and eczema. With hemorrhoids, a decoction of the root is used for microclysters, and for trichomonas colpitis - for douching.
Galgan root: application, tincture
In case of cholecystitis and gastritis, make an aqueous infusion. It gently relieves irritation and eliminates pain. It contains yarrow, calendula, pennyroyal and galangal root. Tincture is consumed before meals in a tablespoon. Traditional healers are sure that the infusion of galangal on vodka is a wonderful choleretic agent, it also relieves pain in case of dysbacteriosis, enterocolitis and cholecystitis.
To prepare it, you need 5 parts of high-quality vodka or 70% alcohol, in addition, a part of dry galangal roots. Alcohol stronger than 76% should not be taken; its tanning properties will not allow healing substances to be extracted from the plant. Infuse for two weeks in a dark bottle, shaking every day. Take 50 g before bedtime diluted with water to cure bronchitis and weakness in the legs.
Decoction
Take a galangal root (spoon), fill it with a glass of hot water and heat it for half an hour in a boiling bath, then drain it through double-folded gauze. The volume must be brought to 250 milliliters. Take one tablespoon three times a day.
External use of decoction
Pour 3 tablespoons of Potentilla rhizomes with 0.5 liters of water, bring the solution to a boil, then boil for 10 minutes. and insist 4 hours, then filter. Use for bruises and weeping eczema as a poultice.
Decoction for diseases of the stomach and intestines
A quarter of a liter of water should be poured over a tablespoon of cinquefoil roots and boiled for 10 minutes over low heat, then insisted for 2 hours and drained through gauze. You need to consume 1 spoon half an hour before meals.
Decoction for stomatitis
Pour a spoonful of plant rhizomes with a glass of water, leave for 5 hours, then bring to a boil and strain. Rinse your mouth as needed.
Ointment for skin cracks
5 grams of small rhizomes of Potentilla erect should be boiled for 5 minutes in 250 g of butter. Allow the mass to cool slightly, then strain while still warm.
Tincture for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
A glass of 40% alcohol should be poured over 20 grams of galangal roots and infused for a month in a dark, ventilated place, while not forgetting to shake occasionally, and then filter. Take 40 drops twice daily before meals.
Galgan against diarrhea
Take:
- 150ml water;
- a teaspoon of crushed galangal.
Cooking method:
- fill with boiling water the root of the galangal;
- warm up for 10 minutes on fire;
- filter;
- drink hot three times a day, 150 g without sugar.
Infusion for stomach pains
You need:
- glass of water;
- tablespoon of crushed galangal root.
Cooking method:
- Simmer the crushed galangal root in a water bath for half an hour.
- Pour a glass of boiling water. Let it brew.
Must take a spoonful twice a day.
Decoction to eliminate bleeding, gastrointestinal diseases
Take:
- glass of water;
- a tablespoon of crushed galangal.
Cooking:
- fill the galangal with water;
- put on fire, boil and simmer for about fifteen minutes;
- press;
- next, add so much boiled warm water so that the volume of the broth is 250 ml.
Should be taken three tablespoons a day after meals.
Infusion for gastritis and cholecystitis
You need:
- a teaspoon of pennyroyal;
- a teaspoon of crushed galangal;
- a teaspoon of yarrow;
- glass of water;
- a teaspoon of marigold.
Cooking:
- mix herbs;
- fill a tablespoon of the collection with boiling water;
- we insist, then filter.
Ready infusion should be taken three times a day, a tablespoon 40 minutes before meals.
Ointment for cracked nipples, lips and heels
You need:
- 100g butter;
- powdered galangal root - 5 g.
Cooking method:
- Add plant powder to warm butter.
- Put in a water bath, then heat for about forty minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Pass through gauze.
- Put in the fridge for a few hours.
Ready ointment to rub problem areas. If the ointment is for the heels, then the oil can be easily replaced with goose fat or lard.
Tincture for thyroid diseases
You need:
- a bottle of quality vodka;
- 150 g galangal roots.
Cooking method:
- small dry galangal root fill with vodka;
- hide for a month in a dark place.
The tincture will be ready after the specified time.
Contraindications
It should be noted that the galangal root also has contraindications. The tincture should not be used during pregnancy, people with alcohol addiction and children. But there are other contraindications in the use of products containing galangal root. The use of such drugs is unacceptable in patients with good blood clotting, low stomach acidity and hypertension. In case of an overdose, stomach pain, vomiting and nausea may occur, therefore, one should start taking such decoctions with caution.