Kaempferia galanga L. (KG) is a valuable plant of Zingiberaceae family with therapeutic potential. KG, commonly known as aromatic ginger, is widely cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. However, it is renowned for its high-value essential oil, which has medical and economic importance beyond South Asia because of its multiple pharmacological applications. The chemical composition of its aromatic oil also offers diverse nutritional benefits. KG has antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Extracts and bioactive constituents derived from KG have demonstrated promising inhibitory effects against various tumor types, including colon cancer, gastric cancer, oral cancer, and multiple myeloma. This article provides information on the botanical characteristics, distribution, chemical composition, and anticancer properties of KG, offering an overview of its pharmacological and industrial potential.
Kaempferia galanga, Aromatic Ginger, Anticancer Properties
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