Alpinia galanga is a member of the true ginger family, Zingiberaceae. The fresh underground rhizomes of this ginger are readily available for sale in Singapore markets. Two types of rhizomes are available for sale. The tender younger rhizomes which appear pale pink, have a less intense flavour compared to the very tough, older and beige coloured ones. The rhizomes of this ginger are too spicy to be eaten raw and are used in slices, chunks or pounded to give a paste and used to flavour various curries and other dishes. Besides the rhizomes which have uses in the kitchen, the immature lateral shoots and unopened flower buds of this ginger are edible when steamed.
The rhizomes of Alpinia galanga are also used widely in folk traditional medicine. According to the profile found in Plant Resources of South-East Asia (PROSEA), the rhizomes are used in the treatment of skin diseases, respiratory diseases, as a stomachic after childbirth, for intestinal problems and as an expectorant and aphrodisiac. The seeds are prescribed in Peninsular Malaysia in colic, diarrhoea, vomiting and herpes. An infusion of the leaves is taken as a post-partum medicine.
Botanically, Alpinia galanga is sometimes referred to as Languas galanga. The common name Alpinia galanga is the greater galangal or lengkuas. Its Chinese names include “大高良姜” and “红豆蔻”. Singaporean Chinese here call the rhizomes simply as “lam kew”, which translates into “blue ginger”, although no part of this ginger is blue in colour!
A native of South Asia and Indonesia, the Alpinia galanga plant is easily grown from rhizomes and is a commonly grown ginger plant in the gardens in Singapore. One can always find it in any herb and spice garden here. The plant is not exactly ornamental although it features rather lush, green, leafy shoots with lanceoate leaves that grow in a tight clump. Each shoot can grow up to 1.5 to 2 m in height. The plant is not exactly invasive.
When left to grow, an Alpinia galanga plant will actually produce flowers. Numerous flowers are borne on an erect spike. Each flower is rather small, reportedly to be fragrant and pale yellow in colour with a distinctive white lip that is adorned with a red center and a prominent pale green or white stamen. Although seldom seen to produce fruit here, the plant is reported to bear red coloured fruits that are used in traditional Chinese medicine and has a flavour similar to its rhizomes.
Although most ginger plants are thought to grow better in semishaded locations, Alpinia galanga is one plant that thrives when given more light. I have observed that this plant will tend to produce more sturdy leafy shoots when grown under full sun. Previously, I have some plants that were growing in semishaded locations and they were observed to put forth rather floppy leafy shoots.
Newly acquired plants may need some time to adapt to higher light levels. Initial planting will experience some burnt leaves. It is essential to provide plants with ample moisture at the roots when they are grown out in the open. Some organic mulch placed around the root zone will be beneficial.
Gardening with Wilson 
if you have a large enough clump, and you get quite a few flowering, the scent can be quite intoxicating! Of the plants in my garden, the scent of the blue ginger rises above everything else.