Ardraka, or ginger, is a popular herb in Ayurveda known for its various health benefits. Ginger powder is made by drying and grinding fresh ginger roots, and it is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.
Studies have shown that ginger powder can help with various health conditions, including:
- Nausea and vomiting: Ginger powder can be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in people undergoing chemotherapy (Ryan et al., 2012).
- Pain relief: Ginger powder has been found to have pain-relieving properties and can be used to alleviate pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis (Altman et al., 2001).
- Digestive health: Ginger powder can help improve digestion and relieve digestive issues such as bloating and gas (Shanmugam et al., 2014).
In Ayurveda, ginger is also used to treat respiratory problems, such as asthma and coughs, as well as to boost the immune system (Singh et al., 2011).
One of the active compounds in ginger is gingerol, which is responsible for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects (Bode and Dong, 2011). Gingerol also has antioxidant properties, which can help protect against oxidative stress and damage to cells (Jiang et al., 2019).
Overall, ginger powder is a versatile herb with numerous health benefits, and it has been used for centuries in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties.
References:
- Altman, R.D., Marcussen, K.C. and L. G. (2001). A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a ginger extract in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and cartilage, 9(2), pp.153-160.
- Bode, A.M. and L. Dong (2011). The Amazing and Mighty Ginger. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd edition.
- Jiang, H., S. S. Sathiya, S. S. Hou et al. (2019). Molecular Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammatory Action of Zingerone in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated RAW 264.7 Macrophages. Toxicology Reports, 6, pp. 1-9.
- Ryan, J.L., M. Heckler, M. Dakhil et al. (2012). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) reduces acute chemotherapy-induced nausea: A URCC CCOP study of 576 patients. Supportive care in cancer, 20(7), pp.1479-1489.
- Shanmugam, K.R., K. Mallikarjuna Rao, P. R. N. D. Raju et al. (2014). Effect of ginger powder supplementation on nitric oxide and C-reactive protein in elderly knee osteoarthritis patients. Inflammopharmacology, 22(1), pp. 59-64.
- Singh, N., K. Bhalla, P. de Jager et al. (2011). An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 8(5 Suppl), pp. 208-213.