Identity:
This rhizome-bearing plant is very familiar to all of us. The appearance of the plant resembles turmeric. The root or rhizome of the plant is what we know as ginger.
The plant grows to a height of two to three feet. The leaves are about one to one and a half inches wide and can be twelve to thirteen inches long. They grow neatly on both sides of the stem and have a pleasant aroma.
Ginger grows best in slightly moist soil, which is why it is called ādrak in some languages. When dried, ginger is known as śuṇṭhi (dry ginger).
Uses:
The rhizome of the plant is used medicinally. Dry ginger is aromatic, warming, and acts as a carminative. It warms the stomach and helps relieve bloating by expelling gas.
Chewing fresh ginger aids digestion. Applying a paste of dry ginger powder mixed in warm water to the forehead helps relieve headaches. Mixing dry ginger powder with garlic and honey provides relief from colds and coughs.
Ginger is cultivated in almost all regions of India.
It is used in the treatment of fever, cholera, indigestion, heart ailments, cold-related disorders, ear pain, and loss of appetite.
