Lesser galangal is native to China, growing mainly on the southeast coast.
It is also grown in India which is the second largest exporter of the rhizome. The rhizome was widely used in ancient and medieval Europe.
The rhizome is smaller than greater galangal.
The skin and the flesh are reddish brown whereas greater galangal has light yellow or white flesh.
It was preferred to greater galangal because of its stronger, sweeter taste with notes of cinnamon.
It is now only used in Eastern Europe.
It is used in Russia for flavoring vinegar and liqueur.
It is still used as a spice and medicine in Lithuania and Estonia.
In Central Asia they prepare a kind of tea that contains it.