India is enriched with a rich wealth of Medicinal Plants. Sunthi (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is an important medicinal plant. It is cultivated almost throughout India. It is an erect perennial herb with aromatic rhizome. It is used in tea and also mixed with vegetables to eat.
It naturally occurs in many countries like India, Mexico, West Indies, South East Asia, China and other countries of the world.
Sunthi has been used in India as Ayurveda medicine as well as home remedies since ancient time. Amaldehyde, Shogaol, Paradol, Gingerol etc. are the
different chemical components available in Ginger. In Ayurveda Sunthi has been described as
mahaushadh means a great medicine.
In Ayurveda Sunthi has been described as Vishvabhesaj means the universal medicine. Research shows that Sunthi has Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, anticancer properties and also useful in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and sexual disorders.
Sunthi is the most common herbs used in Ayurveda.
It is specifically used for digestive disorders and inflammatory conditions.
It has been observed that Sunthi is considered as 'Vibandhahrt (alliveates constipation) but at the same time it is also indicated for Atisara.
It is important to identify that the former indication is for Sunthi when it is given in the powder form without Anupana,
the later property is exhibited when administered along takra (butter milk).
Kaiyadeva described the medicinal properties of the terminal buds of the rhizomes separately. It is mainly indicated in Amavata.
Botanical Name : Zingiber officinale Rosc.
Family : Scitaminae.
Hindi Name : Sonth.
English Name : Ginger.
Sanskrit Name : Sunthi, Nagar, Mahaushadh,Vishvabhesaj.
Contraindication : The properties of Shunthi is Ushna and Tikshna,so it should be avoided in Pandu Roga (Anemia), Jwar (fever), Vrana (Ulcer), Raktpitta (bleeding disorder) and in Mutrakrichh (dysuria). It should also avoided if allergy from ginger. There should be caution while taking during pregnancy. It should not be taken during abnormal bleeding.
Adverse Effect of Shunthi : There are no such side effects of the Sunthi but there can be mild side effect in rare condition like increase Heartbeat, itching sensation, or swelling on the tongue.
Drug Interaction : Shunthi should not be taken with other anti-inflammatory drug because it can have reaction. There should be avoiding while taking Ibuprofen, heparin and other medicines which have the bleeding tendency.
Therapeutic Uses :
Jaladosa : Ardraka and Yavaksara are taken together with leukworm water.
Sunthi has Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, anticancer properties. It is useful in Amavata, Cough, Cold, Gastrointestinal, Cardiovascular and Sexual disorders. In Ayurveda Sunthi has been described as mahaushadh means a great medicine. In Ayurveda Sunthi has been described as Vishvabhesaj means the universal medicine. The Fresh rhizome is known as Ardraka as it is wet and the dry is known as Sunthi. Ardraka and Sunthi both have same virya and rasa but both have different guna and Vipak. Fresh herbs are most popularly used by the local peoples mix with tea and dried herb as powder as medication or home remedies.
CCRAS has been suggested to take Sunthi powder in Dengue fever on the website in guidelines. It is widely used by people as home remedies adding in tea and using dry powder of the Sunthi in various ailments. It is easily available and not expensive as comparison to other modern medicine. Sunthi has high economical and commercial importance used as a bioavailability enhancer can be explored in various formulations.
Author : Dr. Amit Sharma(MD Ayurveda) Email : Amitayurvedacharya@gmail.com Mobile No. : 8076005039
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