Botanical name-Zinziber officinale Roscoe.
Family- Scitaminaceae
Gana -Truptighna, Arshoghna, Deepaniya, Shoolaprashaman, Trushnanigrahan (Charak), Pippalyadi,Trikatu (Susurut), Panchakola, Shadushan (Bh.)
English name -Fresh ginger/ Dry ginger- when skin of the fresh ginger rhizome is peeled off and then dried it is called as dry ginger
.
Sanskrit names- Shunthi, Vishva, Vishvabheshaj. Katubhadra, Nagar,Katushan, Vishvoushadha, Katugranthi, Sauparna.
Botanical Description- Plants grow up to 1 to 1.5 mtr. high. Leaves are 13-30 cms. long, broad and tapering at the top. Stalk of the flower is 5 to 8 cms.long, stamens are dark voilet coloured.
Varieties- According to habitat and processing, there are many varieties.
Dry ginger is smoky in colour. White coloured ginger is found in South India which is used in practice peeled rhizome boiled in milk and dired is called 'Dudhiyasuntha'. Chemical composition : 1/5% yellow volatile oil, gingerol, gingerin (pungent resin), carbohydrates, oil and resin is found just under the skin. Gingerol does not evapourates with oil.
Habitat- Hot and damp climate like Madras, Kerala, Bengal, and Punjab.
Properties-
Guna- laghu, singdha (fresh ginger is ruksha, tikshna and guru)
Rasa- katu
Veerya- ushna
Vipak – Madhur
DoshaKarma- Kaphavataghna.
Karma- Being katu, snigdha and ushna, it is useful in kaphavata diseases.
External uses- By its sheetprashaman, anti inflammatory and analgesic properties, it is used as local application in swollen joints and rheumatoid arthritis. It helps to reduce cold and stiffness. Ginger powder + oil is used for massage to reduce chills. Paste prepared in water or milk is useful in infantile cold and swelling. Dry ginger powder is rubbed on the skin in excessive swelling and hypothermia
Internal uses-
Nervous system - It is the best medicine for all vata disorders. Ginger stimulates nerves, improves impulse transmission and relieves pain.
Digestive system- Ginger is an excellent appetizer, antisatiety, digestive, antiflatulent, antihaemorrhoidal and antispasmodic. It helps in alleviating vatakapha and pitta. Being appetizer ginger along with salt is given before meals.
Due to these properties, ginger is used in anorexia, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, indigestion, flatulence, abdominal pain, jaundice and piles. Putpak of ginger powder dipped in castor oil and wrapped in castor leaves is very useful in rheumatoid arthritis. Black powder after roasting ginger is antiflatulent.
Circulatory system- It purifies blood and is antiinflammatory, as it stimulates heart and circulatory system. Therefore it is useful in cardiac debility, cardiac pain, elephantiasis, oedema, arthritis and urticaria. In oedema, ginger with equal quantity of jaggery in increasing dose upto largest and decreased to the orginal is useful as rasayan.
Respiratory system- It is kaphaghna and antiasthmatic by its property of tikta and singdha. Tenacious sputum of pharyngitis is relieved by chewing ginger. Charcoaled ginger powder with honey is effective in asthmatic bronchitis. Licking ginger juice with honey relieves hiccoughs and cold.
Reproductive system- Due to madhur vipak, ginger acts as an aphrodisiac and sex stimulant. Temperature- In fever with chills, ginger containing formulations are useful.
Satmikaran - Shuntipak is useful in general debility and particularly in post partum debility. Ginger keeps digestive and respiratory system healthy. It ameliorates vata diseases, swelling and increases the strength.
Useful parts- Rhizomes
Doses- Ginger juice 2-4 cc. powder .75 to 1.5 gm.
Formulations- Ardrakhanda, Panchasama churna, Samasharka churna, Saubhagyashunthipak
Contraindications- Ginger being ushna and tikshna, it should not be used in anaemia, dysuria, bleeding disorders, ulcer, pyrexia.
For more information about ayurveda and health, stay connected with us
