Ginger is one of the healthiest spices, full of nutrients and bioactive compounds that have many benefits for our body and brain. Dry ginger powder or shunthi churna is a warm spice with pungent taste, extracted from the dried ginger roots. It helps to pacify Vata and Kapha doshas and increases Pitta dosha. Shunthi churna is used as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic formulations because of its healing properties. It helps in digestion, enhances appetite, pacifies stomach disorders, and maintains joint health and respiratory system health. Dried ginger powder is used as a spice during cooking. It also combines well with other ayurvedic spices like turmeric, cayenne, cumin, coriander, fennel and cinnamon.
Ayurvedic medical text Kaideva Nighantu mentioned that the pungent and hot taste make shunthi churna a good appetizer and digestive. It is also an aphrodisiac, hence treats respiratory disorders, cough, nausea, vomiting, hiccups, and constipation. In Rajanighantu, it is mentioned as an appetizer and cardiac tonic. It also mentioned that dry ginger powder treats inflammation and throat related diseases.
Health benefits of dry ginger powder
Lowers cholesterol: High levels of LDL lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) leads to increased risk of heart disease. If you choose incorrect food, it may have a strong influence on the LDL levels. Scientific research has proved that dry ginger powder helps in lowering the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A study showed the cholesterol markers reduced significantly when the subjects consumed about 3 grams of dry ginger powder every day for 45 days.
Indigestion: Dry ginger powder is known to relieve pain and discomfort in the stomach caused by chronic indigestion. Undigested food and delay in emptying of the stomach are reasons for indigestion. Dry ginger powder can effectively alleviate this problem. A study showed that when 24 healthy subjects consumed 1-2 grams of dry ginger powder before meal, it helped to speed up the emptying of the stomach by 50 per cent.
Common cold: The anti-inflammatory gingerols and shaogals present in ginger root helps in relieving common cold. If you consume it with lukewarm water it is good in treating cold and flu. You can also take ginger powder, clove powder and salt mixed together for relief from cold and flu.
Menstrual pain: Dry ginger powder is known to give relief in various types of aches and pains, including menstrual pain. A study found that 150 subjects when consumed 1 gram of dry ginger powder every day for the first three days of their cycles showed considerable improvement in menstrual pains.
Muscle pain and soreness: Dry ginger powder reduces muscle pain and soreness, and is, therefore, effective in treating exercise-induced muscle pain. A study found that consuming 2 grams of ginger every day for 11 days, significantly reduced muscle pain in subjects performing elbow exercises. While dry ginger powder didn’t have an immediate impact, but it showed good results in reducing the day-to-day progression of muscle pain. The study said these effects were due to the anti-inflammatory properties.
Nausea and morning sickness: Dry ginger powder is said to be effective in combating symptoms of nausea and morning sickness in pregnant women. As it has no side effects, even half a teaspoon of dry ginger powder mixed with honey and warm water can be taken to get relief from morning sickness.
Lowers blood sugar: This herbal powder is an excellent natural remedy for controlling high blood sugar in the body. A person suffering from high blood sugar can consume up to 2 grams of dry ginger powder mixed in warm water with a pinch of salt daily. It will prove more effective when consumed in the morning on an empty stomach.
Inflammation: Dry ginger powder consumed with a little salt helps in reducing inflammation in the body. It is good in healing swollen joints and fingers. It also gives relief in inflammation caused by injuries.
Improves metabolism: Regular consumption of ginger powder helps in boosting metabolism. You should ensure that you add ginger to your daily diet to have a better metabolism rate.
Weight loss: Dry ginger powder contains thermogenic agents that help in burning fat. So it is helpful in weight loss by improving digestion. This helps in burning stored fat and processing glucose in the blood faster. It also speeds up metabolism and controls fat absorption due to its thermogenic properties. It also curbs hunger and overeating.
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