13 Health Benefits of Ginger

For the 10 years prior to studying Ayurveda, I didn't feel consistent hunger. Along with my naturally high vata (air & space), I also lived a very erratic lifestyle which only added to my digestive troubles. Somehow I discovered that a small cup of tea made of grated ginger before meals would help me feel hungry enough to eat. Not ideal to rely on all the time but it worked and it was all that I knew at the time. Years later, it was enlightening to be able to spend a lot of time studying the properties of ginger.

There is a funny thing with ginger. In Ayurveda, fresh and dry ginger have some different medicinal properties due to the drying process. It’s quite remarkable. Fresh ginger is actually considered to be more drying for the body and dry ginger is said to be more unctuous. I've listed some of the common and best uses for each type of ginger below. Some of these can be interchanged with each other but you will have overall better effect by following the breakdown on this list.


13 Health Benefits of Ginger:


Fresh Ginger

1. Acts as an appetizer  
   
2. Digests aam (deep-seated toxins) 
3. Reduces fever 
4. Reduces chilliness by increasing heat and circulation in the body
5. Eliminates nausea 
   
6. It’s a mild laxative

Dry Ginger

1. Helps relieve joint pains from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
   
2. Beneficial in edema and other swelling
   
3. By reducing vata, it relieves pain in back or neck
   
4. Stops diarrhea
   
5. Helps treat some forms of IBS, abdominal pain and hemorrhoids
   
6. Reduces respiratory tract ailments such as cough, hoarseness of voice, rhinitis, asthma, etc
   
7. Acts as an aphrodisiac 

Tips:

• Before meals - slice a little fresh ginger, add a sprinkle of rock salt and a squeeze of lemon or lime to enhance taste and nutrient absorption

• Can make a paste of dry ginger and water for local application in cases of swelling or also on sinuses and forehead in cases of cold (not for those with very sensitive skin) 
  

Note: 
Ginger should be used sparingly in summer, early fall and for anyone with vitiated pitta. 


Warmly,
Lisa Lesser

---