Part II: A focus on natural antimicrobials
Kaempferia Galanga in bloom
Kaempferia galanga [INCI: Kaempferia galanga root extract]
Kaempferia is a genus in the Zingiberaceae family found in southern & southeastern Asia. These gingers grow from small globular rhizomes which grow fleshy roots. Most are low growing with colorfully marked foliage. Flowers either emerge in the spring just prior to the foliage or with the foliage continuing flowering through the summer. Most species naturally go dormant for a portion of the year.
Kaempferia galanga (lesser galangal, kencur), and Alpinia galanga (greater galangal) from the Zingiberaceae family are commonly used as spice ingredients and medicinal herbs in South East Asia and are valued for their protective topical effects when applied as pastes.
Kaempferia galanga rhizome contains 1.5 – 2% essential oil, the main components being ethyl cinnamate (25%), ethyl-p-methoxycinnamate (30%) and p-methoxycinnamic acid. Kaempferia galanga is a good natural source of the biologically active ester ethyl p-methoxycinnamate.
In laboratory studies, the fraction of the extract rich in ethyl p-methoxycinnamate was found to effectively inhibit the growth of Propionibacterium acnes, producing significant zones of inhibition at concentrations even as low as 0.5%.
Toxicity testing in laboratories has been performed, suggesting little to no topical toxicity issues.
References:
- Woerdenbag, Herman J. et al. (2004). “Composition of the essential oils of Kaempferia rotunda L. and Kaempferia angustifolia Roscoe rhizomes from Indonesia”. Flavour and Fragrance Journal 19 (2): 145 – 148. doi:
- Kanjanapothi, D., et al. (2004), “Toxicity of crude rhizome extract of Kaempferia galanga L. (Proh Hom)“, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 90 (2-3): 359-365, doi:
- Wong, K. C. et al. (2006). “Compositon of the essential oil of rhizomes of kaempferia galanga L.”. Flavour and Fragrance Journal 7 (5): 263 – 266. doi:
- GRIN Taxonomy for Plants