This plant is called Sitharathai | Chitharathai in Tamil, Lesser Galangal in English and Kulanjan in Hindi. Sitharathai’s botanical name is Alpinia Officinarum. It is an important herb and we use the rhizome of this plant extensively in home remedies. In the Thai cuisine they use the fresh galangal root to add aroma to the dish. We don’t use galangal in our regular cooking, we use it mainly in home remedies. We rarely use the fresh roots as it is not commonly available here in India, we use only the dried root or the powder. The list of medicinal uses of lesser galangal is quite long and very impressive. Here are the medicinal uses of Sitharathai | Kulanjan:1. Sitharathai extract has anti microbial and antioxidant properties, you can read the study that proves the uses here. 2. Another important use of sitharathai is it’s anticancer activity, it helps prevent the growth of cancer cells, you can read the research that proves this use here. 3. Another interesting use of sitharathai is it’s ability to suppress appetite thus aiding weight loss, this use also has been proven through research, you can read it here. 4. Sitharathai has anti inflammatory properties and helps reduce pain considerably, sitharathai decoction can be taken for treating all kinds of inflammations very very effectively. 5. Another important medicinal use of sitharathai is it’s ability to treat all cold related problems like sore throat, cough and chest congestion. When we take the decoction of the dried root, it treats the all the above said problems very effectively. This decoction also improves appetite and treats indigestion in children. To make the decoction, pound the sitharathai and palm candy once using a mortar and pestle. Boil the pounded mixture with water, strain and drink. This is an amazing home remedy that can be given for young kids too. For chest congestion, mix the sitharathai powder with pure honey and give it to children. For making the lesser galangal powder at home, I simply dry the sitharathai under hot sun till it gets crisp, pound it to break and then grind it finely in a dry mixer and sieve. I know we get all the herbal powders in the market but somehow I am always comfortable making my own and I also find that small batches of powders made at home are more potent than store bought ones. Sitharathai Side Effects: Sitharathai is normally well tolerated in the normal amounts that we use as a medicine….
METHOD:
1. Sitharathai Decoction For Cold, Cough & Sore Throat: Take the lesser galangal and palm candy.
2. Pound the lesser galangal in a mortar and pestle till it is broken into small pieces. Then add the palm candy and pound once.
3. Boil water along with the pounded mixture till it reduces a bit and strain.
4. For chest congestion, mix the lesser galangal powder with pure honey. For children, 2 small pinches will do, for adults 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of the powder will work well.
NOTES:
- We only get dried lesser galangal | sitharathai root in my place and I have tried this remedy only with it. I don’t have experience with fresh root.
- You can also suck on the dried root for treating sore throat and cough.
- If you are making the powder, make sure to sieve it before using.
- Usually this remedy works well the first time itself but if it does not continue using it for a day or two.
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hi, this is an useful tips for my sons who has been suffering with eczema for 5 years, will revert back with the improvements…:) thanks a lot…
Although I don't have eczema, all of a sudden after coming to France my back neck started to become black. I checked all over the internet but could not find any proper solution. I came across aconthosis nigricans, but I believe it is not my condition because I am not overweight and do not have diabetes. I am 24 years old. Is there any way to treat this condition? It will be extremely helpful if you can give some suggestions. Thanks in advance.
Sometimes blackening of the skin in the neck could be due to wearing jewellery (nickel allergy). You can try rubbing pure Aloe Vera gel around your neck everyday or you could try Aloe Vera oil from the blog ( it stinks but really does wonders to the skin). You can also try a homemade mask using organic pure turmeric powder, few drops of lemon juice and milk | yogurt. Be consistent in applying for a few days to see results…..
HI ! could you send for tonsils and allergic rhinitis too? Many thanks
For tonsils, try the licorice root tea from the blog, it greatly helps. But try not to consume it for more than a week…
Does this help with eczema?
It is useful for very mild forms of eczema but I would suggest Aloe Vera oil from the blog for eczema as it is very very effective…
sitharathai can treat flatulence
Sitharathai is always useful for cold and soar throat
Sitharathai is always useful for cold and soar throat
This herbal is the gift of God which is useful to all the age groups
Hi! I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis for the past 6 years and I have it on my chin area.I have tried eveything but nothing seems to help.Can you recommend me any natural remedy..Thanks in advance
Hi, my son is 1 year old. He has slight cough now. He had cold till yesterday. Pls advice how to give sitharathai to him to treat cough.
For 1 year old child, I would suggest giving him black tulsi | krishna tulsi juice mixed with honey for 3 days…..
Hi Ramya,I have taken sitharathai and perarathai combined and powdered for treating thyroid issues. I heard it from my colleague who is well versed in this. My levels came to normal.Does that really help?
Usually we use sitharathai and perarathai for treating cold, cough and fevers and have never used it for treating thyroid problems. I also couldn't find any research that proves it's use for treating thyroid problems. But I will look into it more and if I find anything I will update you…
My son suffering from asthma….can u give any ideas to overcome..
Dear Mam, I am also suffering from asthma from childhood. Now only I got a best medicine. How to prepare :Kadukkai 100g, Sitharathai 100g, Thippili 100g, Jathikkai 75g, Vaal Milagu 200g. Remove seeds from Kadukkai. Warm Fry all the ingredients. Make it as powder. Take 1/4 tea spoon with pure honey in the morning time with empty stomach. Don't take anything after half an hour. I am having a Tamil book copy. My mail ID is kathirvelk@live.com. If you require Tamil version which can explain more than me, please mail me.
Dear Mam, I am also suffering from asthma from childhood. Now only I got a best medicine. How to prepare :Kadukkai 100g, Sitharathai 100g, Thippili 100g, Jathikkai 75g, Vaal Milagu 200g. Remove seeds from Kadukkai. Warm Fry all the ingredients. Make it as powder. Take 1/4 tea spoon with pure honey in the morning time with empty stomach. Don't take anything after half an hour. I am having a Tamil book copy. My mail ID is kathirvelk@live.com. If you require Tamil version which can explain more than me, please mail me.
does chithrathai helps in rheumatoid arthritis?
Sitharathai | Chitharathai has anti inflammatory properties so yes, it helps people with rheumatoid arthritis…
Can you suggest a remedy for sinusitis.Fluid is accumulated in sonus but no external symptoms.
Hi Pushpa, I would suggest using nochi steam, boil nochi leaves in water and inhale the steam. It works great for treating sinus infection. You can find how to do it here (copy and paste the link in the browser) : https://youtu.be/x3yxUInLcDg
Kindly explain the use of chitharathai leaves if any.
Sithrathai leaves can be added to soups. The leaves can be boiled along with water and the boiled water can be used for skin care too…
Can sitharathai be taken during pregnancy?