Settles Upset Stomach and Aids Digestion: Ginger protects and heals the gut and hastens the movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract thereby reduces wind, bloating and cramps. It also awakens the taste buds, and gets digestive juices flowing. Ginger is a great digestive tonic, which improves gastric motility. So, it alleviates constipation, vomiting, acidity, and protects gastric lining against acidity.

Ayurvedic View: According to Ayurveda, the first key to prevention of indigestion is to enhance the digestive fire. One of the best herbs to kindle agni is ginger.

Fights Inflammation: Ginger consists of anti-inflammatory components and antioxidants that can cure inflammation and helps bolster your body from within and provide instant relief, which makes it an excellent remedy for flu, headaches, arthritis, and menstrual pains.

Ayurvedic View: According to Ayurveda, due to Ginger’s Vata balancing property helps to reduce inflammation and relieves symptoms like pain, swelling and joint morbidity.

Reduces Nausea and Vomiting: Ginger is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting. This is due to its antiemetic (effective against vomiting and nausea) and carminative (prevent gas formation) properties. It is effective in managing morning sickness, especially during pregnancy. It helps to reduce the severity as well as the episodes of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It decreases the risk of gastro-oesophageal reflux (a digestive disorder in which the stomach contents flow backward, up into the oesophagus). It also promotes gastric emptying and helps to release trapped gas.

Ayurvedic View: Ginger is used to control nausea and vomiting. This is because of its Deepan (appetizer), Pachan (digestive) and Rochana (improves taste) properties.

Reduces Menstrual Pain: Ginger is effective in managing menstrual pain. Ginger has antispasmodic (smooth muscular movement) and analgesic properties. Ginger blocks the calcium channels and prevents the contraction of smooth muscles in the uterus.

Ayurvedic View: Dysmenorrhea is the pain or cramps during or before a menstrual period. In Ayurveda, this condition is known as Kasht-aartava. According to Ayurveda, Aartava or Menstruation is controlled and governed by Vata dosha. So, it is important that in a woman, Vata should be under control to manage dysmenorrhea. Ginger has Vata balancing property and gives relief in dysmenorrhea. It controls aggravated Vata and reduces abdominal pain and cramps during the menstrual cycle.

Manages Cholesterol: Ginger might be beneficial in managing high cholesterol. It helps to lower cholesterol by converting it into bile acids. It also increases the level of HDL or good cholesterol in the blood.

Ayurvedic View: High cholesterol is due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). Impaired digestion at the tissue level produces excess waste products or Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion). This causes accumulation of bad cholesterol and blockage in the blood vessels. Ginger helps to improve Agni (digestive fire) and reduce Ama. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also helps to remove blockage from the blood vessels by eliminating toxins and helps to maintain a healthy heart due to its Hrdya (cardiac tonic) nature.

Regulates Blood Sugar: Ginger helps to increase the level of insulin and reduces insulin resistance. It helps in better utilization of glucose. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It fights against free radicals and prevents diabetes related complications.

Ayurvedic View: Diabetes, also known as Madhumeha is due to an aggravation of Vata and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to an accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) in the pancreatic cells and impairs the function of insulin. Regular intake of Ginger helps to correct impaired digestion and reduces Ama. This is due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties.