Chumley Stella's Spice 'N Easy Spice Information Spice Encyclopedia Medicinal Spices Spice Dictionary

Chumley & Stella's Co. - 1006 State Route 94 - Blairstown, NJ - 07825

Galangal (Greater: Languas galangal) (Lesser: Languas officinarum)
This is a mild ginger that is very popular in Asian cooking and was well known in
medieval dishes. It is also commonly referred to as Siamese ginger or laos.
Curative Qualities: Resembling ginger in its effects, galangal is an aromatic
stimulant, carminative and stomachic. It is used against nausea, flatulence,
dyspepsia, rheumatism, catarrh and enteritis. It also possesses tonic and
antibacterial qualities and is used for these properties in veterinary and
homeopathic medicine. In India it is used as a body deodorizer and halitosis
remedy. Both galangals have been used in Europe and Asia as an aphrodisiac for
centuries. Gerard (1597) says: ‘they conduce to venery, and heate the too cold
reines (loins)’.

Greater Galangal (laos): Used as a flavouring throughout Indonesia, Malaysia
and parts of India. Orangey-brown skin with pale yellow or white interior. The
rhizomes are longer than lesser galangal.
Aroma: Gingery and camphorous
Character: Pungent but less so than lesser galangal.
Heat Level: 5

Lesser Galangal (kencur): Used as a flavouring in Indochina and Indonesia
but not in Chinese cooking. The rhizome has a red-brown interior. The texture is
fibrous.
Aroma: Bouquet: Aromatic and gingery
Character: Aromatic and pungent, peppery and ginger like.
Heat Level: 6

Kaempferia Galangal: Used as a flavouring in South East Asia. Often identified
as greater galangal. Red skin and white interior.
Aroma: Sweet and sickly with pungent undertones.
Character: Like Bouquet but much stronger.
Heat Level: 5

Garlic (Allium sativum)
A member of the onion family which is both loved and hated. A Mohammedan
legend says: "When Satan stepped out from the Garden of Eden after the fall of
man, Garlick sprang up from the spot where he placed his left foot and Onion
from that where his right foot touched." Ouch! Pliny documented that garlic and
onion were invoked as deities by the Egyptians when taking oaths. Garlic
contains many powerful antioxidants and chemicals that help reduce cholesterol.
It is also an antimicrobial and is said to help in treating intestinal parasites.
Test-tube and animal studies at the University of Maryland Medical Center
suggested garlic may have some anti-cancer activity.
Curative Qualities: Garlic has been used since ancient times for innumerable
complaints and amongst the properties attributed to it are: diaphoretic, diuretic,
expectorant and intestinally antispasmodic. Garlic is considered to be nature's
very own antibiotic. Unlike most antibiotics, Garlic will not deplete the body of
flora, and is considered to be the cure-all herb because of its effectiveness on the
entire body. Popularly used as a digestive aid, garlic increases bile production
while enhancing digestion and reducing stomach gases. Garlic has also been
used for lowering cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, and treating
respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. In modern times the
constituents of garlic have been shown to be bacteriostatic - in World War I the
juice was extensively used on wounds; a glycoside compound has been proved
to be lethal to certain organisms. In Russia allicin is so much esteemed that it is
known as 'Russian penicillin'. The Japanese also favour garlic as a cure-all, and
one researcher has patented a garlic spray machine that is claimed to provide
beneficial therapy for a multitude of ailments. Garlic is a source of selenium, which
must be present in the body for proper immune response, and which acts as an
antioxidant in combination with vitamin E. A host of epidemiological studies say
garlic appears to work against prostate and stomach cancers, with some studies
suggesting it may block breast, liver and colon cancer. Rich in potassium, zinc,
selenium, and Vitamins A & C, garlic is commonly used to fight infection, increase
circulation and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Garlic has been known to
detoxify the body by cleansing the kidneys and increasing urine flow.
Furthermore, garlic's healing properties make it an ideal agent for fighting colds
and flu, bacteria, and fungi. The aphrodisiac properties of garlic have been much
praised; however, it is advisable that both partners consume it!
Aroma: Harsh, penetrating and lasting. The whole clove has no aroma.
Character: Sharp and acrid. The powerful oniony flavour can easily become
overpowering if used to excess.
Heat Level (Raw): 4-5

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Long used for medicinal purposes, ginger can be found in the writings of
Confucius and in the Koran. In the 19th Century, ginger ale consisted of
powdered ginger sprinkled on top of a pint of ale. It is mentioned as an
aphrodisiac in the Karma Sutra and in the South Pacific it is believed to help
attain the affections of women. Ginger is used extensively in Asian and Indian
cuisine. Certain studies claim it is an effective anti-nauseate.
In English pubs and taverns in the nineteenth century, barkeepers put out small
containers of ground ginger, for people to sprinkle into their beer — the origin of
ginger ale. In order to ’gee up’ a lazy horse, it is the time honoured practice of
Sussex farmers to apply a pinch of ginger to the animal’s backside.
Curative Qualities: Ginger has long been ascribed aphrodisiac powers, taken
either internally or externally. It is mentioned in the Karma Sutra, and in the
Melanesian Islands of the South Pacific it is employed ‘to gain the affection of a
woman’. Conversely, in the Philippines it is chewed to expel evil spirits. Ginger is
a known diaphoretic, meaning it causes one to sweat. It was recorded that
Henry VIII instructed the mayor of London to use ginger’s diaphoretic qualities as
a plague medicine. Today ginger is most commonly known for its effectiveness as
a digestive aid. By increasing the production of digestive fluids and saliva, Ginger
helps relieve indigestion, gas pains, diarrhea and stomach cramping. The primary
known constituents of Ginger Root include gingerols, zingibain, bisabolenel,
oleoresins, starch, essential oil (zingiberene, zingiberole, camphene, cineol,
borneol), mucilage, and protein. Ginger root is also used to treat nausea related
to both motion sickness and morning sickness. Ginger has been found to be even
more effective than Dramamine® in curbing motion sickness, without causing
drowsiness. Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain and reduce
inflammation associated with arthritis, rheumatism and muscle spasms. Ginger's
therapeutic properties effectively stimulate circulation of the blood, removing
toxins from the body, cleansing the bowels and kidneys, and nourishing the skin.
Other uses for Ginger Root include the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and other
respiratory problems by loosening and expelling phlegm from the lungs. Ginger
Root may also be used to help break fevers by warming the body and increasing
perspiration.
Aroma: Warm, sweet and pungent.
Character: Fiery and pungent.
Heat Level: 7

Spice Information

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