Galangal, or Alpinia galanga, is a shrub with long, thin leaves, small flowers with a dark-red tip and reddish-brown, woody rhizomes (roots). It is a member of the ginger family, commonly referred to as Thai Ginger, with a pungent, ginger-like flavor but more peppery with a pine aroma. Galangal Root is often used to flavor Asian and Indonesian cuisine, and in ethnobotany, it has been reported to promote digestion and alleviate respiratory diseases and stomach problems.