It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for Adrak is Zingiber officinale which belongs to the
Scitamineae family. It is also called Ginger which is used in most of the
cuisines for various purposes in Indian households.
English – Ginger
Tamil – Inji
Telugu – Allamu
Sans – Adrakam
Hindi – Adarakh
Kannada – Alla
Bengali – Ada
Marathi – Aale
Gujarati – Adu
Punjabi – Adarak
Malayalam – Inchi
Farsi – Anjeebeele
Arabian – Janjabeele Ratab
Ginger is
originated from Asia and is cultivated throughout the world in the tropical
region. For commercial use, it is cultivated in Africa and South America. It
usually grows in fertile, moist, and drained soil.
It is a
herbaceous perennial plant that easily gets adapted to warm climates. It
produces pink and white flowers in a cluster. The leaves are 3-4 feet in height.
The rhizome of the ginger may vary according to the type. It may be yellow,
white, and red with brownish skin.
Part used:
The rhizome
Taste: Pungent
Potency: Hot
On
chemical compound analysis of Adrak, it includes
A-Curumene,
B-D-curcumene, B-Bourbornene, d-Borneal, Citral, D-Camphene, Citronellol,
Geraniol, Gingerol, A and B Zingiberenes, Zingiberol, Zingerone, Giniberenes,
Zingiberol, Zingerone, Gingerols, Paradol, Gingerone A, Ginner glycolipids
Action:
It is used
to treat arthritis, hypertension, rheumatism, sprains, helminthiasis, muscular
pain, dementia, cramps,
indigestion, vomiting, fever, sore throats, infectious disease, and
constipation
Traditionally,
it is used to treat gastrointestinal problems like dyspepsia, motion sickness,
hyperemesis gravidarum
The hot
infusion prepared from the ginger used to treat cold
The
rhizome has a carminative and anti-nausea, anti-carcinogenic, and
anti-inflammatory effect
The leaves
and rhizome of ginger used to treat cough, nausea, and diarrhea during
pregnancy
The juice obtained from the root is used to treat burns
The dose
of the drug used according to the physician
Fresh
juice: 5-10ml
Powder:
1-2g
Syrup:
2-5ml
Morning sickness:
The use of
Ginger helps to reduce the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting that
occurs during pregnancy by its anti-emetic property
Nausea and Vomiting:
Traditional
view: Due to itsDeepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive), the use of ginger
helps to control nausea and vomiting
Chew the
ginger with rock salt to control nausea and vomiting
Modern
view: Due to its carminative and anti-emetic effect the use of ginger helps to
prevent nausea and vomiting
Menstrual pain:
According
to Ayurveda, this is called Kasht-aartava which is controlled by Vata dosha.
The use of adrak regulates the Vata and reduces the abdominal pain that occurs
during the menstrual cycle by its Vata balancing properties
Take the
required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle and mortar. Then add 2
cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Filter the content and
consume it to control menstrual pain
Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy:
Due to its
anti-emetic effect, the use of ginger reduces the risk of developing
gastro-oesophageal reflux and it also improves the gastric emptying
Obesity:
Obesity
occurs due to lifestyle modifications which lead to poor digestive fire and
this increases the accumulation of toxins in the body and causes an imbalance
in the Meda dhatu which results in obesity. The use of ginger helps to reduce
the body weight by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties and
it also helps to improve the metabolism and remove the extra fluid or toxins
from the body
Take the
required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle and mortar. Then add 2
cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Filter the content and
consume it to reduce the accumulation of fat
High cholesterol:
According
to Ayurveda, high cholesterol occurs due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni
(digestive fire). This impaired digestion occurs due to the accumulation of
toxins in the body which leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and causes
obstruction in blood vessels. The use of ginger helps to improve the improper
digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) produces which remove
the accumulation of bad cholesterol and main normal cholesterol level
Take the
required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle and mortar. Then add 2
cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Filter the content and
consume it to reduce the accumulation of fat
Irritable bowel syndrome:
According
to Ayurveda, inflammatory bowel disease is called Grahani. It occurs due to the
imbalance of Agni. Turmeric helps to improve the digestive fire by its Deepan
(appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) activity
Take the
required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle and mortar. Then add 2
cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Filter the content and
consume it to treat inflammatory bowel syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis:
According
to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis is called Amavata. It mainly occurs due to
the imbalance of Vata dosha and the accumulation of toxins that occurs due to
improper digestion and this toxin is carried to different parts of the body
through Vata and gets accumulated in the joints. The use of adrak helps to
improve digestion and reduce the accumulation of toxins by its hot properties.
This also balances the Vata and reduces the symptoms associated with rheumatoid
arthritis.
Take the
required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle and mortar. Then add 2
cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Filter the content and
consume it to reduce the pain associated with rheumatic arthritis
Osteoarthritis:
According
to Ayurveda, Osteoarthritis is called Sandhivata and it occurs due to the
imbalance of Vata dosha which causes pain, inflammation, and joint movement.
The use of ginger helps to reduce the symptoms of arthritis by balancing the
imbalance of Vata dosha
Take the
required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle and mortar. Then add 2
cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Filter the content and
consume it to reduce the pain associated with Osteoarthritis
Diabetes mellitus:
Traditional
view: According to Ayurveda, diabetes is known as Madhumeha. It occurs due to
the imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosh and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion
leads to the accumulation of toxins in the pancreatic cells and affects insulin
function. The use of ginger control diabetes by maintaining the function of
insulin normally by balancing the Vata-Kapha and improving impaired digestion
by reducing the accumulation of toxins which is responsible for impaired
digestion.
Take the
required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle and mortar. Then add 2
cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Filter the content and
consume it to reduce the accumulation of fat
Ginger churna:
Take the required amount of ginger and mix it with honey or
lukewarm water after your meals
Ginger capsule or tablet:
Take the required amount of ginger capsule or tablet and mix
it with lukewarm water after your meals
Ginger tea:
Take the required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle
and mortar. Then add 2 cups of water and allow it to boil for 20 minutes.
Filter the content and squeeze it with lemon and honey to treat cold and sore
throat
Ginger Gargle:
Take the required amount of ginger and crush it with a pestle
and mortar. Then add 2 cups of water and allow it to boil for 10 minutes.
Filter the content and add a pinch of salt and pepper. Use this remedy to treat
sore throat
Ginger juice:
Take the required amount of ginger juice and add it to a
bucket of lukewarm water. Have a bath with this water to treat muscle spasms or
muscle cramps
Heartburn
Ginger can cause mild side effects including heartburn,
diarrhea, burping, and general stomach discomfort. Some women have reported
more menstrual bleeding while taking ginger. When applied to the skin: Ginger
is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied to the skin appropriately, short-term.
There is only anecdotal evidence to support this use. Since
ginger may fight germs, illness, inflammation, and cancer-causing molecules,
taking a little bit every day can support your overall health. Ginger is a
natural root, so drinking it will also give you added nutrients.
Ginger tea is safe to drink. However, people should avoid
consuming more than 5 g of it per day. The NCCIH suggests that those with
gallstone disease should be cautious when using ginger. This is because it may
increase the flow of bile.
Ginger water is full of antioxidants, which play an
important role in helping your body handle free radicals, lowering your risk of
health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Ginger water is
also rich in the mineral potassium.