Local Knowledge is also a Medicine. Dr. Gopalakrishnan Veliyaveettil, Defense Medical Officer (Retired) & Chief Medical Officer, Coast Guard. He is from Thrissur. Phone: 9847286663
Ginger, or ‘chukku’ when peeled and dried, is a primary ingredient in 63 types of Ayurvedic medicines (yogas). In ancient Ayurveda, it is described as ‘mahoushadhi’ and ‘vishwabheshajam’.
This spice, which is also a main ingredient in food items, is said to be excellent for the functioning of the stomach and related digestion.

Ginger contains many components including protein, carbohydrates, linoleic acid, amino acids, gingerol, cholesterol, fat, starch, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, Vitamin A, C, and niacin.
Protein, carbohydrates, linoleic acid, amino acids, gingerol, fat, starch, and fiber.
Calcium, phosphorus, and iron are mentioned among the components present in ginger.
Thiamine, riboflavin, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and niacin are also present.
Ginger remains both a main ingredient in food items and a widely used medicinal ingredient.
According to Ayurvedic principles, the world has recognized dried ginger and ginger as a medicine since ancient times. It is good for reducing Vata and Kapha diseases, for stimulating digestive fire (agnideepana), and for digestion.
Ginger has been used as a medicine for conditions like indigestion, constipation, common cold, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, acidity, gastric ulcers, constipation, lack of appetite, blood pressure, joint pain, allergies, and piles.
- ✅ Indigestion, acidity, gastric ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, and lack of appetite
- ✅ Common cold, cough, sore throat, vomiting, and breathlessness
- ✅ Blood pressure, joint pain, allergies, piles, and related conditions
- ✅ Vata and Kapha diseases, agnideepana, and digestion support

Taking equal parts of ginger juice and honey is good for cough, breathlessness, and the common cold. When you have a cold, drinking tea with dried ginger powder is also good.
Drinking water boiled with one teaspoon of dried ginger powder lukewarm multiple times will provide relief from a sore throat. Grinding and consuming ginger and jaggery is good for cough and breathlessness.
Peel and finely chop ginger, fry it in ghee until crisp, then mix in jaggery and consume with honey. This will alleviate cough, hoarseness, and sore throat.
🫖 Drinking ginger juice mixed well with cow’s milk twice a day, before breakfast and after dinner, will alleviate bleeding disorders (raktapitta).
Drinking a glass of lukewarm water with one teaspoon of ginger juice, an equal amount of honey, and a pinch of salt is a remedy for indigestion.
Powdering dried ginger, long pepper, black pepper, and ‘kadukkathodu’ (Terminalia chebula rind), mixing it with jaggery, and consuming it as small balls will increase digestive power.
Consuming ginger with salt helps with digestion and increases appetite. For acid reflux from fermented food, it is enough to consume ginger juice mixed with salt.
Consuming dried ginger powder mixed with milk is equivalent to breast milk.
Drinking a glass of buttermilk with a pinch of powdered dried ginger, black pepper, cumin, and asafoetida is good for all digestive ailments.
For indigestion, stomach ache, diarrhea, etc., it is good to consume dried and powdered ginger.
Grinding ginger and cumin and consuming it twice a day will help heal ulcers. Drinking sugarcane juice mixed with ginger juice will stop hiccups. Ginger is excellent for dental diseases and earaches.
Chewing a piece of ginger is good for getting rid of bad breath. Those who experience nausea while traveling can just chew on a piece of ginger.
Ginger juice is very good for preventing vomiting and nausea in pregnant women.
Drinking ginger juice with honey is very effective in alleviating allergies from food and other sources.
Taking 25 ml of ginger juice with an equal amount of onion juice and a teaspoon of honey every morning will provide relief from asthma.
Including ginger in your daily diet will help reduce body fat. It also helps in reducing excess cholesterol in the body. Ginger is also excellent for preventing blood clots in blood vessels.
Consuming 5-10 ml of ginger juice, 1-2 gm of dried ginger powder, and 2-4 ml of honey mixed in a glass of lukewarm water every morning helps to provide immunity to the body.
It helps in preventing joint pain, rheumatic diseases, blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Ginger is also excellent for reducing inflammation in the body.
Mix dried ginger powder with honey and apply it on the lips. This will remove the dark color of the lips and make them beautiful.
Applying ginger juice on the forehead is also good for headaches.
It also helps in flushing out toxins from the body. It helps in preventing cancer, controlling diabetes, increasing memory power, and preventing diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Ginger is also effective in providing relief from diseases like jaundice, liver inflammation, hepatitis, gas trouble, and stomach ache.
Taking one ounce of ginger juice with half a teaspoon of ghee every morning will provide relief from pain in the waist and hips.
Ginger can also provide relief from diseases like migraine, dizziness, and stroke. In short, ginger is a single-remedy cure-all.
What is ginger called when it is peeled and dried?
Ginger is called ‘chukku’ when it is peeled and dried. The article notes that chukku is a primary ingredient in 63 types of Ayurvedic medicines, known as yogas, and that ancient Ayurveda describes ginger as ‘mahoushadhi’ and ‘vishwabheshajam’.
Why is ginger important in Ayurveda?
According to Ayurvedic principles, ginger and dried ginger have been recognized as medicine since ancient times. They are traditionally used for reducing Vata and Kapha diseases, stimulating digestive fire or agnideepana, and supporting digestion, appetite, cough, cold, sore throat, and related conditions.
How is ginger used for cough, cold and sore throat?
The article mentions equal parts of ginger juice and honey for cough, breathlessness, and common cold. It also suggests dried ginger tea for cold and lukewarm water boiled with one teaspoon of dried ginger powder multiple times for relief from sore throat.
What ginger remedy is mentioned for indigestion?
For indigestion, the article recommends drinking a glass of lukewarm water with one teaspoon of ginger juice, an equal amount of honey, and a pinch of salt. Ginger with salt is also mentioned for digestion and appetite, while dried ginger powder is used for indigestion, stomach ache, and diarrhea.
Can ginger help with nausea while traveling?
Yes. The article says those who experience nausea while traveling can simply chew on a piece of ginger. Chewing ginger is also mentioned as useful for getting rid of bad breath, and ginger juice is described as very good for preventing vomiting and nausea in pregnant women.
What daily ginger mixture is mentioned for immunity?
The article mentions consuming 5-10 ml of ginger juice, 1-2 gm of dried ginger powder, and 2-4 ml of honey mixed in a glass of lukewarm water every morning. This is said to help provide immunity to the body and support prevention of several conditions.
How is ginger used for beautiful lips?
For beautiful lips, the article says to mix dried ginger powder with honey and apply it on the lips. This traditional home remedy is described as helping remove the dark color of the lips and making them beautiful.