Lesser Galangal [Discontinued] by Hawaii Pharm

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oral alpinia has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A moderate-sized clinical study in adults with COPD shows that taking a combination product containing extracts of alpinia, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and saffron in honey 3 times daily for 8 weeks improves confidence in leaving home and the ratio of forced exploratory volume per second to forced vital capacity of the lungs (FEV1/FVC) when compared with placebo. However, the combination product does not improve most measures of respiratory function or symptoms such as cough, phlegm, chest tightness, dyspnea, reduced energy levels, sleeping disorders, or activity limitations when compared with placebo (111542). It is unclear if these effects are due to alpinia, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Male infertility. It is unclear if oral alpinia is beneficial for improving sperm function in males with infertility. Details: Preliminary clinical research in males with idiopathic infertility shows that taking alpinia extract 100 mg three times daily for 12 weeks increases sperm count and morphology when compared with placebo (102094). Whether alpinia can improve the rates of successful pregnancies is unclear.
• Mental alertness. It is unclear if oral alpinia is beneficial for improving mental alertness in healthy adults. Details: Preliminary clinical research in healthy adults with a history of moderate caffeine intake shows that taking a specific alpinia extract (EnXtra, Enovate Biolife), 300 mg orally twice daily, or the same extract plus caffeine 200 mg orally twice daily for 12 weeks, increases mental alertness three hours after the dose to a similar extent in both active groups when compared with placebo (106740).
• Minor bleeding. Oral alpinia has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Some preliminary clinical research shows that applying 4 mL of a specific product (Ankaferd blood stopper) containing alpinia, licorice, thyme, stinging nettle, and common grape vine reduces bleeding during surgery, but does not improve the surgical time for episiotomy repair, when compared with saline (31010). Other preliminary clinical research suggests that topical application of this same product reduces bleeding in postsurgical dental patients with increased bleeding tendency (31002). More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of alpinia for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Alpinia has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts (12,102094). Alpinia extract 300 mg daily has been used with apparent safety for 12 weeks (102094). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of alpinia when used topically.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of alpinia when used in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and lactation; avoid using.

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ANTACIDS Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, alpinia might decrease the effectiveness of antacids.  Details There are some reports suggesting that alpinia increases stomach acid (19).

H2-BLOCKERS Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, alpinia might decrease the effectiveness of H2-blockers.  Details There are some reports suggesting that alpinia increases stomach acid (19).

INDOMETHACIN (Tivorbex) Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, alpinia might reduce the levels and clinical effects of indomethacin.  Details In animals, giving an alpinia extract orally reduces systemic exposure to indomethacin, reduces its retention time in plasma, and accelerates its elimination in the bile and feces (106738). This interaction has not been reported in humans.

PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS (PPIs) Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, alpinia might decrease the effectiveness of PPIs.  Details There are some reports suggesting that alpinia increases stomach acid (19).

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General ...Orally and topically, alpinia seems to be well tolerated.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, alpinia may cause gastrointestinal adverse effects. In one clinical trial, around 5% of patients taking alpinia extract 100 mg three times daily for 12 weeks discontinued treatment due to adverse gastrointestinal effects (102094).

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