Ginger is one among the appetizers used in Ayurveda and in traditional Indian Cooking. It is used in many different appetizing formulations. It is a spice with specific qualities like aphrodisiac with a pungent taste, mild laxative with an absorbing property, even though pungent drugs are mostly unaphrodisiacs and absorbent drugs create constipation.
It is of two types:
- Wet ginger (Ardraka)
- Dry ginger (Shunthi)
Botanical name – zingiber officinale
Parts used – rhizome
Medicinal properties of Wet Ginger
- Pungent taste
- Heavy to digest but Undergoes sweet taste after digestion
- Dry, strong and piercing
- Hot potency
- Useful in Vata and Kapha disorders
- Relieves one from constipation
- Improves digestive strength
- Relieves anorexia
- Relieves swelling
- Useful in throat disorders
- Aphrodisiac
- Helpful in respiratory disorders
- Relieves from vomiting sensation
- Relieves hiccups
Benefits of Consuming Dry Ginger
- Unctuous
- Increases digestive power
- Aphrodisiac
- Hot in potency
- Balances Vata and Kapha
- Improves taste
- Acts as a cardiotonic
- Useful in ascites due to bloating
- Absorbent
- Breakdowns stools to relieve from constipation
- Useful in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Relives from menstrual pain, dizziness and arthritic pain.
Difference
- Fresh ginger is dry and dry ginger is unctuous
- When consumed in fresh form induces elimination so more useful in constipation
- When consumed in dry form, it acts as an absorbent so not much useful as in fresh form that helps in constipation
- Fresh ginger is used for short time due to its dry quality
- Dry ginger can be used for long time due to its unctuous property
Many researches were conducted and it is proved that it is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory helpful in decreasing triglyceride levels in obesity. Helpful in type 2 diabetes by correcting dhatwagni.
Contraindication
- Skin disorders
- Anemia
- Bleeding disorders
- Dysuria
- Non healing wounds
- During summer and spring
Ayurvedic formulations
- Trikatu churna
- Ardraka ghrita
- Gudaardraka