Kitchen Spice

Ginger

SanskritShunthi (dried), Ardraka (fresh)BotanicalZingiber officinaleAlso calledAdrak, Sonth, Vishvabheshaja (the universal medicine)

The warming root Ayurveda calls the universal medicine, used in the kitchen to kindle digestion and bring heat to cold, damp days.

Ginger, rhizome

If you could keep only one spice in the kitchen, many Ayurveda teachers would tell you to keep ginger. The old texts call it vishvabheshaja, the universal medicine, because it shows up in so many formulas and so many meals.

Ayurveda sees fresh and dried ginger as two slightly different herbs. Fresh ginger is juicy and more diffusing, lovely in tea when you feel chilled. Dried ginger is sharper and more concentrated, the one used in classical powders like trikatu. Both carry the same bright, biting warmth that wakes up a sleepy appetite.

Ayurvedic Properties

RasaTastes
  • Pungent
  • Sweet
ViryaHeating or cooling
Heating
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Sweet
AgniEffect on digestion
Kindles agni

The classic fire-kindler: warming, pungent and light.

GunaQualities
  • Light
  • Oily
  • Sharp
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: decreases
  • Pitta: increases in excess
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Ginger is a friend to cold, airy vata and heavy, damp kapha. Pitta types can enjoy it in food, but large amounts, especially of dried ginger, may bring on too much heat.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support a strong, steady appetite and comfortable digestion.
  • Traditionally used to support warmth and clear breathing in cold, damp seasons.
  • Traditionally used to support comfort before and during the menstrual cycle.
  • Traditionally used to support healthy circulation to the hands and feet.

How People Use It

  • TeaSimmer a few thin slices of fresh ginger in water for 5 to 10 minutes. Add lemon, and stir in honey once it has cooled a little.
  • FoodGrate fresh ginger into soups, dals, stir fries and kitchari, or warm dried ginger in ghee before adding vegetables.
  • HoneyA pinch of dried ginger stirred into a little honey is a classic kitchen habit for heavy, sluggish mornings.
  • PowderA pinch of ground ginger can go into warm milk, oatmeal or baked fruit.
Try This

Ginger Appetizer Bite

A tiny ritual to wake up your digestive fire before lunch.

  • 1 thin coin of fresh ginger, peeled
  • A few drops of fresh lime or lemon juice
  • 1 small pinch of mineral salt
  1. About 15 minutes before your main meal, slice a thin round of fresh ginger.
  2. Squeeze a few drops of lime over it and sprinkle on a tiny pinch of salt.
  3. Chew it slowly and notice how your mouth starts to water. That is agni waking up.
  4. Skip this ritual if you tend toward heartburn or already feel hot and irritable.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Ginger in normal cooking amounts is generally considered safe. These cautions apply to larger, concentrated amounts such as supplements.
  • Ginger can cause heartburn, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and mouth or throat irritation, especially in large amounts.
  • Ginger supplements have been studied during pregnancy and may be safe, but talk with your healthcare provider first. Little is known about larger amounts while breastfeeding.
  • High doses of ginger may have a mild blood thinning effect, so check with your doctor if you take blood thinners or have a surgery coming up.
  • If you take any medication, ask your healthcare provider before using ginger in more than food amounts.
  • Please consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor before using ginger therapeutically.

In Our Shop

Organic Ginger Root

Organic Ginger Root, from $5.75. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.

Shop Ginger →

From the Journal

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.