Want to Supercharge Your Digestion? Meet Dry Ginger Powder
The root of all diseases in Ayurveda is poor digestion, which leads to ama (toxins or undigested food).
This would mean that to remain disease-free, we must ensure that we do everything in our power to supercharge our digestion to support the breakdown and assimilation of whatever we eat and drink.
Meet the Ayurvedic Vata-balancing hero for optimal digestion: DRY GINGER POWDER or SUNTHI (Sanskrit)
Dry ginger powder or Shunti benefits are vast, but here are a few that are noteworthy:
Promotes digestion
Supports wellness during traveling
Supports proper lung function
Supports healthy joints
Promotes mucus relief
Promotes ease of menstruation
Supports constipation relief
Ginger stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes, soothes the intestinal tract, and can be very helpful not only for digestion, but also for relieving excessive gas, bloating, and flatulence. Dry ginger effects can be seen in the stomach, intestine, and tissues. It is bowel-binding and thus may prove beneficial in conditions such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
Here are a few home remedies using dry ginger powder:
Improve Appetite: Take 2g dried ginger powder with ghee or warm water in the morning.
Indigestion: Take 2-4g dried ginger powder a day.
Painful Menstruation: Ginger reduces pain during periods. Drink ginger tea (dry ginger powder in water) with brown sugar.
Diabetes: Ginger lowers lipid, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. These properties have been confirmed in various clinical studies. Ginger juice is shown to reduces serum glucose levels in animals. For diabetic patients, including dry ginger powder in their daily diet could help reduce the chance of kidney damage associated with diabetes.
Bronchitis: Boil 5g dry ginger powder in 1 cup water. Cook till the volume reduces to half. Filter and drink.
Are dry ginger and fresh ginger root (Adrak) the same? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Both are very different in their qualities and their benefits. While fresh ginger increases Vata (the dosha responsible for movement in our body), dried ginger balances Vata. Thus, consuming fresh ginger tea for gas and bloating is not a great idea. Instead, have warm water with a pinch or two of dry ginger powder. Fresh ginger, due to its heating properties, reduces Kapha (heaviness) to help relieve cough, phlegm, or mucus from your body. So while fresh ginger has its own uses and benefits, when it comes to improving your digestion, always reach for dry ginger powder.
No wonder Ayurveda as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine hold dried ginger powder is the highest regard! Here’s to wishing the best digestive health for all!
Note: Always consult your primary healthcare provider and a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. It can interact with medications and is contraindicated for certain conditions. Home remedies courtesy of Ayurveda experience.
