Go-To Ginger (zingiber officinale)

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Sometimes it’s about the simple spices in life and ginger certainly hits the spot for this time of year. Ginger’s versatility spans across cultures throughout the world and certainly packs in a punch with its health benefits.

Sattvic and tridoshic and perfect for the chilly damp atmosphere of winter as it brings sweetness and warmth - what’s not to love?

What modern science now shows us that the compounds known as gingerols, paradols, and shogaols are the polyphenols found in ginger and has incredible healing power. This is largely because they protect the body against oxidative stress and therefore a powerful antioxidant ingredient.

The properties of ginger vary depending on whether it is fresh (adrak) or dried (shunti) but ginger is a kitchen hero all round:

  • Strong anti-inflammatory

  • Antibacterial/Antiviral

  • Antiemetic (prevents vomitting)

  • Purifies the blood

  • Stimulates blood circulations

  • Stimulates nerve impulses

  • An antioxidant powerhouse

  • Relieves asthma and respiratory congestion

  • Powerful pain reliever

  • Alleviates vata aggravation (pacifies vata, pitta and kapha)

  • An easy go-to for nausea

  • Stimulates hunger, relives indigestion, and improves digestive strength

  • A mild aphrodisiac

Qualities of fresh ginger: hot (ushna), sweet (madhura), pungent (katu), ruksha (dry) guru (heavy) and tikta (bitter) it is also supportive to healing effects of other ayurvedic ingredients. Useful in constipation.

Qualities of dried ginger (shunti):  hot (ushna) and snigdha (oily) is one of the three key ingredients of trikatu that is useful in clearing digestive toxins and digesting heavy foods so a great option for kapha issues as it is significantly more drying and heating than fresh ginger. Useful in loose motions and/or IBS as it has an absorbent property.

How can you integrate ginger into your daily diet:

  • Grate it into your foods – cook with it, add it to soups, stew, and casseroles

  • Make a ginger tea with honey (do not heat honey) to get relief from a cold

  • Chew on a piece of raw ginger to relief sore or hoarse throat.

  • Or maybe ginger sweets

Home remedy to stimulate hunger/digestion:

Stimulate hunger with 1tsp freshly grated ginger and a pinch of rock salt and a squeeze of lime 15-20 minutes before breakfast and dinner until you feel a natural hunger appear. If you feel a natural hunger there is no need to have this.