Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Ginger scientifically known as Zingiber officinale is a revered Ayurvedic herb used as fresh Ardraka or dried Shunthi. While fresh ginger is a strong digestive stimulant dried ginger is unique for possessing Pungent taste but a Sweet post digestive effect and Unctuous quality. This combination allows it to pacify Vata and Kapha doshas effectively without causing excessive dryness. It acts as a potent carminative known as Anulomana and digestive known as Pachana making it a premier remedy for indigestion flatulence and abdominal colic. Clinically it is indicated for respiratory disorders like asthma and cough rheumatism known as Amavata and heart disease. It is also considered an aphrodisiac. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends a dosage of 1 to 2 grams of the rhizome powder.
Ginger, scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, is one of the most widely used herbs in Ayurveda, revered as Maha-aushadhi (Great Medicine) or Vishvabheshaja (Universal Medicine). It is used in two primary forms: fresh ginger (Ardraka) and dried ginger (Shunthi). While both forms improve digestion, dried ginger is considered unique because it aids digestion and pacifies Vata dosha without causing as much irritation as other pungent spices, thanks to its "unctuous" (oily) quality and sweet post-digestive effect.
Ginger is a perennial herb with a laterally compressed rhizome (underground stem). The rhizomes are dug up in January-February, cleaned, and either used fresh or dried to produce Shunthi. In Ayurveda, Ginger is highly valued for its ability to kindle the digestive fire (Agni) and digest toxins (Ama). It is considered a cardiac tonic (Hridya) and an aphrodisiac (Vrishya), particularly in its dried form.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Charaka Samhita, the properties of Dried Ginger (Shunthi) are:
Ginger is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Ginger is generally considered safe when taken in recommended culinary and therapeutic doses. It is a common ingredient in daily diet and therapeutic gruels (Yavagu) used to stimulate appetite and relieve colic.
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Zingiber officinale
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
European Medicines Agency (EMA) – Zingiberis rhizoma (Ginger)
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/zingiberis-rhizoma
U.S. FDA – FoodData Central (Ginger Nutritional Data)
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Shunthi
https://www.ayush.gov.in
PubMed – Zingiber officinale Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Zingiber+officinale
ScienceDirect – Ginger Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/zingiber-officinale
SpringerLink – Clinical & Experimental Studies on Ginger
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Ginger Medicinal Research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Shunthi Description (Haritakyadi Varga)
https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Shunthi Reference
https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, in small quantities (like in tea or food), it is beneficial for digestion. Dry ginger (Shunthi) is considered better for daily use than fresh ginger in some contexts because it is more nourishing (unctuous).
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often taken before meals (with rock salt) to stimulate appetite, or processed into water/tea for digestion.
Q.Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. It can be boiled with water (Shunthi water) or taken with warm water. It is also compatible with milk in certain restorative preparations. Fresh ginger juice is often taken with honey.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Ginger scientifically known as Zingiber officinale is a revered Ayurvedic herb used as fresh Ardraka or dried Shunthi. While fresh ginger is a strong digestive stimulant dried ginger is unique for possessing Pungent taste but a Sweet post digestive effect and Unctuous quality. This combination allows it to pacify Vata and Kapha doshas effectively without causing excessive dryness. It acts as a potent carminative known as Anulomana and digestive known as Pachana making it a premier remedy for indigestion flatulence and abdominal colic. Clinically it is indicated for respiratory disorders like asthma and cough rheumatism known as Amavata and heart disease. It is also considered an aphrodisiac. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends a dosage of 1 to 2 grams of the rhizome powder.
Ginger, scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, is one of the most widely used herbs in Ayurveda, revered as Maha-aushadhi (Great Medicine) or Vishvabheshaja (Universal Medicine). It is used in two primary forms: fresh ginger (Ardraka) and dried ginger (Shunthi). While both forms improve digestion, dried ginger is considered unique because it aids digestion and pacifies Vata dosha without causing as much irritation as other pungent spices, thanks to its "unctuous" (oily) quality and sweet post-digestive effect.
Ginger is a perennial herb with a laterally compressed rhizome (underground stem). The rhizomes are dug up in January-February, cleaned, and either used fresh or dried to produce Shunthi. In Ayurveda, Ginger is highly valued for its ability to kindle the digestive fire (Agni) and digest toxins (Ama). It is considered a cardiac tonic (Hridya) and an aphrodisiac (Vrishya), particularly in its dried form.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Charaka Samhita, the properties of Dried Ginger (Shunthi) are:
Ginger is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Ginger is generally considered safe when taken in recommended culinary and therapeutic doses. It is a common ingredient in daily diet and therapeutic gruels (Yavagu) used to stimulate appetite and relieve colic.
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Zingiber officinale
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
European Medicines Agency (EMA) – Zingiberis rhizoma (Ginger)
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/zingiberis-rhizoma
U.S. FDA – FoodData Central (Ginger Nutritional Data)
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Shunthi
https://www.ayush.gov.in
PubMed – Zingiber officinale Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Zingiber+officinale
ScienceDirect – Ginger Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/zingiber-officinale
SpringerLink – Clinical & Experimental Studies on Ginger
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Ginger Medicinal Research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu – Shunthi Description (Haritakyadi Varga)
https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Shunthi Reference
https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, in small quantities (like in tea or food), it is beneficial for digestion. Dry ginger (Shunthi) is considered better for daily use than fresh ginger in some contexts because it is more nourishing (unctuous).
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often taken before meals (with rock salt) to stimulate appetite, or processed into water/tea for digestion.
Q.Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. It can be boiled with water (Shunthi water) or taken with warm water. It is also compatible with milk in certain restorative preparations. Fresh ginger juice is often taken with honey.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem