Galangal

Herb/Spice

Age Suggestion

6 months

Iron-Rich

Common Allergen

a whole raw piece of galangal ready to be prepared for babies starting solids

When can babies have galangal?

Galangal may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age.

Galangal is the common name for a sprawling family of plants from Southeast Asia cultivated for its edible flowers, leaves, and knobby underground stems called rhizomes. The rhizomes can be fresh, frozen, dehydrated, or ground into powder. Galangal and ginger share a plant family, and while they look similar, there are differences in flavor. One variety called lesser galangal, kencur, and shajiang has tan skin, creamy flesh, and a peppery, piney flavor. A larger variety called greater galangal, kha, laos, and lengkuas has pink-tinged skin and flesh with a lemony taste.

How do you serve galangal to babies?

Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.

6 months old +:

Stir small amounts of grated or powdered galangal into baby’s food as desired. You can also use a pinch of powdered galangal to season fruits and vegetables like mango spears, cooked apple, or sweet potato wedges, or stir it into soft, scoopable foods like congee, lentils, or porridge. Stir grated or powdered galangal into large, soft rice balls or meatballs that are easy for baby to pick up. Or make a sauce that contains galangal and drizzle it on baby’s meal. Cooking fresh galangal can mellow its flavor a little, if desired.

12 months old +:

Continue seasoning the child’s food with grated or powdered galangal as desired, or cook with very thin slices of fresh galangal. Galangal teas, served warm but not hot, are also fine at this age, and make for great practice with an open cup.

18 months old +:

Continue serving galangal in the child’s food and dishes that you can enjoy alongside them. Try adding grated or powdered galangal to smoothies and continue to practice with teas in open cups.

Videos

Eunoia, 7 months, eats opor ayam (chicken cooked in coconut milk, galangal, and other spices).

Cooper, 11 months, eats galangal cooked into black beans.

Is galangal a choking hazard for babies?

It can be. While galangal in grated, paste, or powdered form presents a low risk when safely prepared for a child’s age and developmental ability, thick pieces of raw or dried galangal can be firm and challenging to chew, qualities that increase choking risk. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve galangal in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

Is galangal a common allergen?

No, galangal is not a common allergen, though it can occasionally provoke an allergic-type rash if it touches the skin. Individuals with very sensitive skin or a history of developing contact rashes may want to wear gloves when preparing galangal. If a rash does develop, wash the affected area with soap and water.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Is galangal healthy for babies?

Yes. While typically used in small amounts, galangal offers some carbohydrates and fiber. Galangal also has phytonutrients like polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties that help with bodily repair and recovery.

When shopping for fresh galangal, look for galangal that has a firm texture, taut skin, and no wrinkles.

Can babies or toddlers have galangal tea?

Yes, after baby’s first birthday. When serving, make sure to cool it down before offering. Do not give tea or beverages other than breast milk or formula to babies under 12 months of age to ensure that the necessary nutrition from breast milk or formula isn’t displaced by other drinks.

Can galangal help sick babies and toddlers?

Before using galangal as a remedy, consult with the child’s pediatric healthcare provider for guidance. While galangal has long been used to relieve many ailments, including soothing colds and stomachaches, research on these uses in babies and young children is limited. That said, if a child is feeling sick and you would like to offer galangal, it is generally fine to offer galangal as it is used in typical cooking, in small amounts in an age-appropriate meal.