Ginger is a digestive friendly wonder spice described as a "universal medicine" by Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners.
Ginger a common kitchen spice which we use in almost every spicy dish we make. It gives an excellent spicy nature to any food. But do you know it can used to treat more than 10 common diseases that we see regularly! Ayurveda describes it as an analgesic, carminative, antiemetic, aphrodisiac, aphoristic, digestive, expectorant, and stimulant.
11 health benefits of this ancient spice:
1. Balances the doshas.
When taken with rock salt it reduces Vata, with rock candy reduces Pitta and with honey reduces Kapha.
2. Aids with digestion.
Mix ginger juice with water and cane sugar, boil it to syrup consistency add saffron and powders of cardamom, nutmeg, and clove and preserve well. This jam, called allaepauk, is useful in indigestion, flatulence, colic, vomiting, spasms, stomach and bowel pains with fever, colds, cough, asthma, and increasing agni (responsible for digestion).
3. Increases appetite.
To increase appetite mix equal parts of ginger juice with lemon juice and rock salt, and take just before meals.
4. Relieves a sore throat.
For sore throat and laryngitis chew a fresh piece of ginger few times a day.
5. Reduces morning sickness and vomiting.
 Take equal parts of ginger juice along with onion juice relieve nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.
6. Contains anti-cancerous properties.
Some recent studies suggest that this wonder spice has anti-cancerous properties and useful in ovarian and colon cancer especially.
7. Relieves headaches.
 Mix ginger juice with milk; let it dry use it as a snuff.Make a paste of ginger and aloe vera gel or water, and apply to the head and take a nap or before evening sleep. You can use same paste for tooth aches too.
8. Alleviates stomach pain and irritation.
Mix dry ginger powder with asafoetida or make an infusion, mix with 1-2 tbs. castor oil. It is also useful in painful menstruation.
9. Aids with chronic rheumatic pain.
For chronic rheumatic pain (Vayu or Kapha), colds and excess mucus make a tea before bed.
10. Assists in revival from fainting.
In case of fainting, apply a thin paste of ginger and water to the eyelids, or place a mix of Sunti, black pepper and Pippal under the nostrils in small pinches.
11. Reduces seasonal allergies and symptoms of flu.
Last but not least, make a tea, which is a great way to ward off  seasonal allergies, cold, flu, and cough.
