Fig. 69. Greater and lesser Galingale

            The affinity of name and nature hath induced me in this place to insert these two, the bigger and the lesser Galingale; first therefore of the greater.

The Description

            1. The Great Galingale, whose root only is in use, and brought to us from Java in the East Indies, hath flaggy leaves some two cubits high, like these of Cat's-tail or Reed-mace: the root is thick and knotty, resembling those of our ordinary flags, but that they are of a more whitish colour on the inside, and not so large. Their taste is very hot and biting, and they are somewhat reddish on the outside.

            2. The lesser growing in China, and commonly in shops called Galingale, without any addition, is a small root of a brownish red colour both within and without; the taste is hot and biting, the smell aromatical, the leaves (if we may believe Garcias ab Horto) are like those of Myrtles.

The Names.

            1. The first is called by Matthiolus, Lobel, and others, Galanga major. Some think it to be the Acorus of the ancients: and Pena and Lobel in their Stirp. Advers. question whether it be not the Acorus Galaticus of Dioscorides. But howsoever, it is the Acorus of the shops, and by many used in Mithridate instead of the true. The Indians call it Lancuaz.

            2. The lesser is called Galanga, and Galanga minor, to distinguish it from the precedent. The Chinese call it Lauandon: the Indians Lancuaz: we in England term it Galingale, without any addition.

Their temper and virtue.

            These roots are hot and dry in the third degree, but the lesser are somewhat the hotter.

            A. They strengthen the stomach, and mitigate the pains thereof arising from cold and flatulencies.

            B. The smell, especially of the lesser, comforts the too cold brain; the substance thereof being chewed sweetens the breath. It is good also against the beating of the heart.

            C. They are useful against the colic proceeding of flatulencies, and the flatulent affects of the womb; they conduce to venery, and heat the too cold reins. To conclude, they are good against all cold diseases.