Ginger is a spice which has traditional medicinal value. In fact Indian and Chinese civilizations have been taking advantage of ginger since ages. Most of the Indian recipes have ginger in one form or the other. It has long been known as a very healthy food. It has anti-cancer properties and is recognised as healthy by both modern and ancient systems of medicine. Have a read to see why you should start eating more ginger.

What gives Ginger medicinal value?

Ginger is scientifically called Zingiber officinalis and this is a rhizome as discussed in the case of Turmeric earlier. This rhizome has volatile oils and compounds which impart medical properties as well as taste and odor to the rhizome. The aromatic constituents of ginger are zingiberene and bisabolene. The other constituents which give ginger a pungent taste are gingerols and shogaols. These stimulate the digestive system and impart characteristic taste and flavor. These active constituents are in form of phenols and complexes in form of flavanoids which impart their properties.

The other active ingredient in ginger is terpenes and an oleoresin, which is called ginger oil. These active agents are responsible for its antiseptic qualities, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating and mild constipation relief. Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver.

Ginger in ayurveda

Ayurveda acts by correcting the energies within the body to suit the environment outside and maintaining this balance. Energies within the body are either hot or cold. When there is excessive heat in the body, the hot energy is provocative and in cases of flu and cough, the cold or cool energies are more dominant. Ginger increases the heat within the body and thus increases the action of the hot energy giving rise to a fruitful balance of energies and correcting the illness.

Medical properties of ginger

1. It helps in improving perspiration, hence is effective in reducing or treating fever.
2. Ginger loosens phlegm and hence is used in the treatment of tough cold. Here it is used as an expectorant.
3. Ginger aids digestion by activating the digestive enzymes.
4. They neutralize stomach acids and hence are effective in digestion.
5. Ginger tones the muscles of the intestine and is thus used in relieving constipation.
6. It reduces inflammation of joints and tissues and hence is used in treatment of arthritis.
7. The circulation increases within the body by consuming ginger.
8. Motion sickness and nausea can be curbed by chewing ginger, swallowing may reduce its effect.
9. Nervousness and sore throats are easily improved by ginger.
10. Ginger has been shown to clean and thin the blood and hence is used as a blood purifier.
11. The ills of LDL or bad cholesterol are curbed by reducing the concentration of LDL.
12. Ginger is also a mood enhancer due the content of cineole , an alcohol.
13. The mouth freshening properties of ginger make it commonly used in tea and after meal refreshers.

As a spice, ground ginger can be quite a valuable substitute when fresh ginger root is not available. But fresh ginger is always preferred, both for its greater health benefits and for its superior taste. Fortunately, in most parts of the United States fresh ginger root is available year round, so finding it shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of shoppers. Ginger may not be the most familiar spice or herb, but it definitely pays to get to know this great root.

Tags: Kitchen Tips, Ayurvedic Medicine, Herbal Supplements, Natural Remedies, Natural Cures

An allergic dry cough can be hard to get off, its a common problem and hence I attempt to offer you some tips here. The antigens in the environment like dust-smoke particles in the atmosphere/air, pollen, smell of certain flowers, chemical or natural sprays, proteins from certain foods, some allopathic drugs can cause Dry Cough. Intestinal worms also cause it.

Symptoms of Dry Cough

• Breathing difficulties, Recurrent Cough spells
• Mucous resembling frothy soap lather, after a coughing spell
• Whizzing sound heard in the lungs
• Sneezing and Irritating Nasal Drips
• Low Fever, chest heaviness, pain in calf muscles, and Chest pain.
• Lack of Sleep and Total Fatigue.

These symptoms are caused by Vitiated Vata Dosha accompanied by a mild imbalance of Kapha. You’ll also have bad breath which indicates an excess of “Ama (the dead energy)” under the attack of microbes giving rise to foul smell.

Ayurvedic Treatment for this type of Dry Cough

•  Try and observe a fast for a day or two. Boil 1/2 tsp Ginger powder and 1/4 tsp Turmeric (Haldi) and reduce it to half. Keep sipping this decoction the whole day. Alternatively, you can also take Talispatradi Choornam or Sitopladi Choornam with hot water.
• Early morning, on an empty stomach - drink the ginger decoction above along with 3-4 tsp of Cold-pressed Castor Oil. All these suggestions have to be followed under the supervision of a qualified medical/ayurvedic practitioner. The fasting would increase the agni (the good digestive fire), and boost immunity also. The castor oil balances apana vata and eliminates the bad energy (Ama).
• For those who cannot fast, they can try and take a supplement under supervision (For example - 1 tablet each of Swaskas Chintamani Ras, mahalaxmi Vilas Ras, Trikant Mani Ras etc. The tablets’ effect is further potentized by mixing them together with 1-2 tsp of Haridrakhand Avaleha. If you cannot get these in the market - the simplest could be to mix 1/2 tsp of Pure Raw Turmeric with 1 tbsp of Honey)

Some lifestyle changes -

1. Take Dinner early by 7.30 PM. Let the dinner be light. Do not stuff yourself and chew properly.
2. Vegetables should not be cooked in oil. Try using cow ghee and that too, sparingly.
3. After the attack is over, you may use sesame oil for cooking.
4. Avoid all ground nut items, Pickles, Papad, Curd, Tomatoes, fermented foods, brinjal are
   to be entirely avoided. Stop all legumes. Only permitted is green gram water, tempered with cow ghee. Tempering can have fenugreek, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, asfoetida.
5. If there is disturbance in the sleep, try to compensate a little by taking nap during the day. Weakness increases by loss of
   sleep. The ghee/castor oil massage on soles at bedtime may help relaxing the nervous system.

Take care !

- Puneet