HANDY REMEDY -whether I boil fresh ginger to make a soothing tea or whether I make a cold-killing decoction with ginger powder, I know I won’t be sick over the holidays. This is my personal remedy to avoid getting sick when I feel something coming on.

TONIC AND STIMULANT: Ginger is known to help reduce fever and cleanse the body of toxins. It also has blood thinning properties, inhibits cell-clotting enzymes in your blood stream, lowers cholesterol, and reduces migraine headaches. And, it does a better job at preventing and treating these dis-eases than aspirin (which is said to cause stomach problems and bleeding). Ginger is also a great detoxifier and alkalizer (as opposed to acidic, diseases such as cancer cannot survive in an alkaline body). And finally, ginger helps with nausea, morning sickness, cramping, and sea sickness.

                       

HELPS REDUCE KAPHA: Fresh ginger is great for Kapha types because it is a pungent spice, it stimulates the system and helps decrease Kapha. It is also Vata-pacifying and aids with digestion.

अद्रिका भेदिनी गुर्वि तीक्श्नोशणा दीपनी मता ।

कटुका मधुरा पाकेु रूक्शा वातकफापहा।

GINGER- THE VIRTUAL MEDICINE : Ayurveda gives ginger the status of a virtual medicine chest. That’s because this wonder spice has time-tested digestion-friendly properties, in addition to its numerous other health benefits.

SUPER BENEFITS OF GINGER

• Haven’t been feeling hungry? Eat fresh ginger just before lunch to stoke a dull appetite.
• Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.
• Ginger clears the ‘microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses that tend to flare up from time to time.
• Feeling airsick or nauseous? Chew on ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey.
• Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger—for best results, toss it in a little warm ghee before you chew.
• Reeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil into your bath to help aching muscles and joints.
• Got a surgery done? Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea.
• Stir Ginger provides migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
• Sip up some ginger tea to get rid of throat and nose congestion. And when there’s a nip in the air, the warming benefits of this tasty tea are even greater!
•  

• Ginger tea with brown sugar is used in the treatment of menstrual cramps.

• Can’t stop the toot-a-thon? Gas—oops—guess what?! Ginger helps reduce flatulence!
•  

• Ginger helps to improve the immune system

Ginger is a herb but is often known as a spice, with a strong distinct flavour that can increase the production of saliva. The part that is used as spice on the plant itself is the rhizomes or ginger root. This ginger root is traditionally used with sweet foods in Western cuisine being included in popular recipes such as ginger ale, ginger snaps, gingerbread, ginger biscuits and ginger cake. It is also used in many countries as a medicinal ingredient which many believe in.

Is this not magical? …. Ginger …the best affordable companion for all times ….

Just a word of CAUTION as excessive use of Ginger may cause gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea and heartburn..

Dr Smita B.A.M.S

Head of practice and Governance,

Travancore Ayurveda