Ginger

Question 1

What is the sanskrit name for fresh ginger?

What does this name mean?

Answer 1

Ardrakam

‘that which stimulates gastric secretions’, and ‘that which liquefies K and expectorates’

Question 2

What is the sanskrit name for dry ginger?

What does this name mean?

Answer 2

Shunthi

‘that which dries the mucus lining’

Question 3

What is the rasa?

Answer 3

Pungent

Question 4

What is the virya?

Answer 4

Ushna

Question 5

What is the vipaka?

Answer 5

ardrakam is sweet, shunthi is pungent

Question 6

What other gunas does it have?

Answer 6

sharp, light, liquid

Question 7

For what dhatus does it have an affinity?

Answer 7

All seven dhatus

Question 8

What are it’s 10 actions?

Answer 8

called the universal medicine, promotes agni, burns toxins, expectorant, stimulant, digestive, antipyretic, improves glomerular threshold, emmenagogue, enhances sperm mobility and blood flow to penis (hence promotes actions of aphrodisiacs)

Question 9

What is it’s prabhava?

Answer 9

cardiac tonic, promotes spermatogenisis

tridoshic when fresh, dried may increase P

Question 10

In what 15 conditions is it indicated?

Answer 10

Nausea, dizziness, poor appetite, indigestion, constipation, parasites, abdominal pain, malabsorption, asthma, cold, congestion, cough, flu, sinus headache, edema

Question 11

What are it’s contraindications?

When is it used with caution?

Answer 11

Peptic ulcer, UC, bleeding hemorrhoids, bleeding disorders, pregnancy, menorrhea, prior to surgery, when there is risk of hemorrhage.
Caution is used with patients who are taking anti-coagulant, blood thinning medications, antiplatelet drugs, or calcium channel blockers