hello and greetings 🙏 herbal hive community. here is my post about medicinal roots in the April challenge. In Ayurveda, there are plenty of roots used for medicinal purposes. and each has its unique qualities and importance. I should write about many of them but I decided to write about Turmeric and ginger the most important root medicine in Ayurveda all over the world, it is available and people knew about these as herbs or spices in cooking.
THE TURMERIC,
Turmeric or Haldi is cultivated all over India as a commercial crop, it has been used as an important ingredient in various Indian cuisines. it contains Curcumin as the main active ingredient. there are several varieties- haridra, Amra haridra, vana haridra, and daru haridra. Of these haridra (common turmeric) is the one that is used commonly in Ayurveda, and is identified as Curcuma longa Linn. the rhizome extract shows antioxidant, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
common turmeric is widely used in Ayurveda in a form such as choorna (powder), lepa (medicated paste), medicinal decoction, oils, etc. both for internal and external application. Thousands of years ago Ayurveda valued this precious herb where it was used to balance vata, pitta, and kapha. however, overuse of it can aggravate pitta and vata.
In the west, there have been lots of studies done and now pretty much the whole world knows about the therapeutic effects- anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-asthmatic, and anticancerous properties.
It has many beneficial effects on the blood and plasma of the circulatory system. It also kindles digestive fire, helping reduce kapha and toxins.
Its pungent and bitter taste treats metabolic disorders
Hot potency and anti-imfflametory properties treat RespiratoryRheumatoid arthritis.
Its bitter taste and natural detoxification qualities treat blood and skin-related disorders It is used in toxic disorders, urinary tract infections, blood purifiers, natural detox for liver, allergic conditions cold cough, skin disorders, beauty therapies, and immune boosters. it is the very favorite home remedy for internal and external uses.
for using turmeric normally 1-3 gram/day powder
fresh juice 10-15 ml/day
for Vata people use 2-3 pinch of turmeric with ghee
Pitta people use it with milk
Kapha should consume with black pepper.
here are a few recipes
Daily uses of turmeric
A warm and soothing elixir is good to drink before bed.
1 cup almond milk if possible use cow milk also.
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cardamom
Pinch black pepper.
for sweetness can use rock sugar or cane sugar
In the warm milk mix turmeric powder, ginger powder, pepper powder, cinnamon powder, cardamom, and rock sugar and boil it and drink warm.
tea for cold and cough
making the tea for cold and cough
1.5 glasses of water
1/4 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander seed
1 tsp dried mint leaves or fresh mint.
3 cloves
4 peppercorn
1cm cinnamon
cook until the water became 1 glass on low heat add sweetener like rock sugar or cane sugar ( jaggery) consume it when it is warm.
The immune booster pills.
Immune-boosting pills.
20-gram turmeric
20-gram neem powder
1-2 tbsp honey or jaggery mixed and make berries size small pills. use1-2 early morning just swallows and drink lukewarm water. for an immune boost and protection from any viral infections. It was very helpful during the corona pandemic time.
In 1 glass of warm water add 1/2 tsp turmeric and 1/4 tsp salt gargle it twice a day it reduces irritations in the throat and control the throat infection, and heals sore throat.
On the fresh-cut apply turmeric powder works as a blood coagulant and antiseptic,
If toothaches take 1 tsp mustard oil add a pinch of turmeric a pinch of camphor and a pinch of salt rub on the affected tooth.
If any fungal infection in the toenails 1 tsp of mustard oil and 1 pinch of turmeric powder warm together apply that oil to the affected toe and toenails.
Any inflammatory swelling applies turmeric with sesame oil and alum mix together warm and applies to the affected part. or massage smoothly.
skin glow
4 tbsp coconut milk
1/2tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp gram flour
few drops of lime juice
mix well and apply this mask on the face wash after 10- 15 minutes using lukewarm water.
About GingerZingiber officinale
According to Ayurveda, ginger is one of the best choices for many internal and external treatments Ginger is a very common food ingredient in India. in Hindi it’s known as adrak (fresh ginger) and sonth (dried ginger). Ginger is cultivated throughout India. Having many vitamins and minerals, It contains the component Gingerol which has analgesic, sedative, antipyretic and antibacterial effects, another component is zingerone is an antioxidant. which has many health benefits. In Ayurveda, it is used widely for many formulas and treatments. Its pungent taste and hot potency work as an appetizer and kinder the digestive fire, decreasing Vata and ama (metabolic waste). it works as a heart tonic, aphrodisiac, and treats respiratory disorders, cough, nausea, vomiting, hiccups, constipation, and liver disorders. it is an appetizer and cardiac tonic. Good for blood circulation It treats inflammation and diseases of the throat. Reduces dryness in the mouth
3 gram of ginger powder mixed in 1 cup of hot water drinking daily relieve Ama and helps to strengthen digestive fire.
How to make ginger juice
Grate the fresh ginger and squeeze it using a cheesecloth. fresh juice is always better than preserved.
1/2 tsp ginger juice with 1/2 tbs jaggery three times a day helps relieve cough and cold. decrease the congestion in the respiratory tract. a mix of honey and ginger juice works as an expectorant.
Fresh ginger paste applied to the joints relieves joint pain and swelling.
Dry ginger powder 1/4 tsp + 1tsp brown sugar or jaggery mix together and eat it empty stomach and drink warn water helps in migraine.
Any local pain relief applies dry ginger paste externally on the affected part of the body after 10 minutes wash it is helpful like a pain-relieving balm.
1/2 tsp ginger juice + 1 tsp lime juice+ pinch of rock salt add in 1 glass of warm water and drink before a meal it helps in bloating and gases in the stomach.
ginger, turmeric, and pepper tea ( see my march detox post.)
making ginger appetizer
two or three thin slices of ginger in a little rock salt and lime juice and have them before the main meal It stimulates taste buds and kinder digestive fire.
lime ginger water
Using ginger in lime water is good in summer for excessive trust. use fresh mint leaves in it to reduce acidity. Pitta people can use sweetener sugar or jaggery in it.
In the end, the recipe for Alepak which is very good for digestion, cough, cold, and all kinds of imflammations, works as a detox.
1 cup ginger cleaned and chopped
3/4 cup of jaggery I used 1/2 cup I can tolerate I am kapha.
1 tbsp turmeric
1/2 tsp nutmeg.
grind ginger and jaggery
On medium heat cook, this mixture with continuous stirring. add nutmeg, turmeric powder, and 1/4 cup of desiccated coconut.
when the mixture starts binding and thick spread it on oiled butter paper. roll it thin layer and cut the small squares. after dried up put in this container it can stay 2 months. use 1-2 squares before food its works as an appetizer. and help digestion using after food it is mouth freshener keeps mouth moistured reduce the bad smell. strengthen digestion. taking with milk relieves muscle pain. cough and cold 3 times a day. relieves soreness of the throat, relieves cough.
This is my own experience with ginger and turmeric. Mr. Google can give you lots of info. but here is what we experience these uses. many more to write about here I will stop now coming back soon with some new root medicine. Thank you🙏.