Black Ginger

Last Updated: September 28 2022

Kaempferia Parviflora (Thai Ginseng) is a root plant that is touted to be an aphrodisiac and glucose support agent, with its effects on testosterone and aphrodisia relatively unresearched; it may be (slightly) erectogenic by various mechanisms.

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Black Ginger is most often used for

Summary

Kaempferia Parviflora (Thai Ginseng) is a herb that has some historical and medicinal usage for treating metabolic ailments and improving vitality in Thailand and limited to surrounding regions. It is also reported to be an aphrodisiac compound and physical enhancer.

Currently, the research on Thai Ginseng is at a moderate level and starting to get human trials. It appears to be 'healthy' and a good source of a class of bioflavonoid compounds with methoxy groups added to them, known as methoxyflavones.

That being said, the research on its aphrodisiac effects in mice indicate that low doses are weak to moderate in potency and higher doses fail to exert any aphrodisiac effect. It does not appear to increase testosterone in otherwise normal rats (although it may in castrated rats), and although it appears to have a variety of mechanisms to be pro-erectile, these have not been tested for potency in a living system. The mechanism of pro-erectility is fairly unique and interesting, but the one study to investigate whether or not it could inhibit PDE5 (one of the mechanisms of Viagra) failed to establish whether it was selective. Selective PDE5 inhibitors are good pro-erectiles without many side-effects, but the non-selectivity (currently not established) may lead to gastrointestinal side effects.

At least one study has noted that it can increase functionality and cardiovascular performance in otherwise healthy persons over 60, but an acute study in youth failed to find any performance enhancing effects at 1.35g (recommended dose, or at least near it).

Currently, Thai Ginseng seems to be weakly promising on proerectility with the other claims not really being better than other possible supplement choices.

What else is Black Ginger known as?
Note that Black Ginger is also known as:
  • Krachai Dum
  • Black Turmeric
  • Black Galingale
  • Thai Ginseng
  • Kaempferia Parviflora
Black Ginger should not be confused with:
  • Kaempferol (an isolated flavonoid)
  • Turmeric (looks similar
  • different active compounds)
Dosage information

According to traditional usage of Kaempferia Parviflora,[2] 0.5-1 teaspoon of ground power is made into a tea and drank about 1-2 hours before physical performance. This is similar to the recommended daily dose from the Thai traditional medicine institute of 1.2g daily, and the one human study on the matter (failing to note benefit acutely) used 1.35g.

General health protective effects have been noted at lower doses, although not enough evidence exists to suggest an optimal dose.

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References
2.^Wasuntarawat C, Pengnet S, Walaikavinan N, Kamkaew N, Bualoang T, Toskulkao C, McConell GNo effect of acute ingestion of Thai ginseng (Kaempferia parviflora) on sprint and endurance exercise performance in humansJ Sports Sci.(2010 Sep)
3.^Chaipech S, Morikawa T, Ninomiya K, Yoshikawa M, Pongpiriyadacha Y, Hayakawa T, Muraoka ONew flav-3-en-3-ol glycosides, kaempferiaosides C and D, and acetophenone glycosides, kaempferiaosides E and F, from the rhizomes of Kaempferia parvifloraJ Nat Med.(2012 Jul)
4.^Nakao K, Murata K, Deguchi T, Itoh K, Fujita T, Higashino M, Yoshioka Y, Matsumura S, Tanaka R, Shinada T, Ohfune Y, Matsuda HXanthine oxidase inhibitory activities and crystal structures of methoxyflavones from Kaempferia parviflora rhizomeBiol Pharm Bull.(2011)
5.^Sadhu SK, Tamaki M, Ohtsuki T, Toume K, Koyano T, Kowithayakorn T, Ishibashi MCadinane sesquiterpenes from Curcuma parvifloraJ Nat Prod.(2009 Apr)
6.^Chaturapanich G, Chaiyakul S, Verawatnapakul V, Pholpramool CEffects of Kaempferia parviflora extracts on reproductive parameters and spermatic blood flow in male ratsReproduction.(2008 Oct)
7.^Sae-Wong C, Matsuda H, Tewtrakul S, Tansakul P, Nakamura S, Nomura Y, Yoshikawa MSuppressive effects of methoxyflavonoids isolated from Kaempferia parviflora on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in RAW 264.7 cellsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2011 Jul 14)
8.^Horikawa T, Shimada T, Okabe Y, Kinoshita K, Koyama K, Miyamoto K, Ichinose K, Takahashi K, Aburada MPolymethoxyflavonoids from Kaempferia parviflora induce adipogenesis on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by regulating transcription factors at an early stage of differentiationBiol Pharm Bull.(2012)
9.^Chaipech S, Morikawa T, Ninomiya K, Yoshikawa M, Pongpiriyadacha Y, Hayakawa T, Muraoka OStructures of two new phenolic glycosides, kaempferiaosides A and B, and hepatoprotective constituents from the rhizomes of Kaempferia parvifloraChem Pharm Bull (Tokyo).(2012)
11.^Konkumnerd W, Karnchanatat A, Sangvanich PA thermostable lectin from the rhizomes of Kaempferia parvifloraJ Sci Food Agric.(2010 Aug 30)
12.^Kusirisin W, Srichairatanakool S, Lerttrakarnnon P, Lailerd N, Suttajit M, Jaikang C, Chaiyasut CAntioxidative activity, polyphenolic content and anti-glycation effect of some Thai medicinal plants traditionally used in diabetic patientsMed Chem.(2009 Mar)
13.^Azuma T, Tanaka Y, Kikuzaki HPhenolic glycosides from Kaempferia parvifloraPhytochemistry.(2008 Nov)
14.^Mekjaruskul C, Jay M, Sripanidkulchai BModulatory effects of Kaempferia parviflora extract on mouse hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymesJ Ethnopharmacol.(2012 Jun 14)
15.^Sawasdee P, Sabphon C, Sitthiwongwanit D, Kokpol UAnticholinesterase activity of 7-methoxyflavones isolated from Kaempferia parvifloraPhytother Res.(2009 Dec)
16.^Akase T, Shimada T, Terabayashi S, Ikeya Y, Sanada H, Aburada MAntiobesity effects of Kaempferia parviflora in spontaneously obese type II diabetic miceJ Nat Med.(2011 Jan)
17.^Chaturapanich G, Chaiyakul S, Verawatnapakul V, Yimlamai T, Pholpramool CEnhancement of aphrodisiac activity in male rats by ethanol extract of Kaempferia parviflora and exercise trainingAndrologia.(2012 May)
18.^Sudwan P, Saenphet K, Saenphet S, Suwansirikul SEffect of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker on sexual activity of male rats and its toxicitySoutheast Asian J Trop Med Public Health.(2006)
19.^Trisomboon H, Tohei A, Malaivijitnond S, Watanabe G, Taya KOral administration of Kaempferia parviflora did not disturb male reproduction in ratsJ Reprod Dev.(2008 Oct)
21.^Weerateerangkul P, Palee S, Chinda K, Chattipakorn SC, Chattipakorn NEffects of Kaempferia parviflora wall. ex. baker and sildenafil citrate on cGMP level, cardiac function, and intracellular Ca2+ regulation in rat heartsJ Cardiovasc Pharmacol.(2012 Sep)
22.^Malakul W, Ingkaninan K, Sawasdee P, Woodman OLThe ethanolic extract of Kaempferia parviflora reduces ischaemic injury in rat isolated heartsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2011 Sep 1)
23.^Wattanapitayakul SK, Chularojmontri L, Herunsalee A, Charuchongkolwongse S, Chansuvanich NVasorelaxation and antispasmodic effects of Kaempferia parviflora ethanolic extract in isolated rat organ studiesFitoterapia.(2008 Apr)
25.^Malakul W, Thirawarapan S, Ingkaninan K, Sawasdee PEffects of Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex Baker on endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic ratsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2011 Jan 27)
26.^Shimada T, Horikawa T, Ikeya Y, Matsuo H, Kinoshita K, Taguchi T, Ichinose K, Takahashi K, Aburada MPreventive effect of Kaempferia parviflora ethyl acetate extract and its major components polymethoxyflavonoid on metabolic diseasesFitoterapia.(2011 Dec)
27.^Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S, Tong-Un T, Saenghong N, Thukhum-Mee W, Sripanidkulchai BPositive Modulation Effect of 8-Week Consumption of Kaempferia parviflora on Health-Related Physical Fitness and Oxidative Status in Healthy Elderly VolunteersEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
30.^Tewtrakul S, Subhadhirasakul S, Kummee SAnti-allergic activity of compounds from Kaempferia parvifloraJ Ethnopharmacol.(2008 Feb 28)
31.^Tewtrakul S, Subhadhirasakul SAnti-allergic activity of some selected plants in the Zingiberaceae familyJ Ethnopharmacol.(2007 Feb 12)
33.^Temkitthawon P, Hinds TR, Beavo JA, Viyoch J, Suwanborirux K, Pongamornkul W, Sawasdee P, Ingkaninan KKaempferia parviflora, a plant used in traditional medicine to enhance sexual performance contains large amounts of low affinity PDE5 inhibitorsJ Ethnopharmacol.(2011 Oct 11)
34.^Jansakul C, Tachanaparuksa K, Mulvany MJ, Sukpondma YRelaxant mechanisms of 3, 5, 7, 3', 4'-pentamethoxyflavone on isolated human cavernosumEur J Pharmacol.(2012 Sep 15)