Its amazing to write about an age-old, proven spice in this advanced technology-driven era. I never thought I would be writing about the health benefits of sonthi or ginger powder. I've grown up hearing my grandma asking people to use sonthi for various ailments such as cold, indigestion, headache. In Andhra families, new mothers are made to take the first morsel of rice mixed with sonthi powder and ghee. They are given sonthi for at least three months post delivery. Sonthi or ginger powder is believed to help mothers with nursing, shed extra weight, do away with all the excess water in the body, protect against cold and fevers.
I personally ate sonthi rice morsels for about 4 months after my two deliveries. At that time I didn't bother to know about the entire benefits of sonthi, else I wouldn't have stopped its consumption. Simply saying the benefits of this humble spice are many and OUR ELDERS KNOW THEIR SPICES WELL ENOUGH !!
I've recently started taking ginger powder to handle my sinusitis and the results have made me to write this post. My sinus, which is in a horrible stage started improving and the phlegm also started draining out. Then I researched further about ginger powder and here are the various known benefits of it.
Ginger powder contains gingerol, an effective anti-inflammatory nutrient. Ginger powder is a hot, pungent substance known to generate body heat. So, it is proven to provide relief from cold, sore throat, headaches and even migraines. Consuming warm milk (I used water), mixed with ginger powder relieves the symptoms of headache, cold and sore throat.
Ginger powder is also used in cooking to enhance taste and also when ginger is out of stock.
Ginger powder mixed with black pepper powder in water provides relief from indigestion, flatulence and nausea.
Sonthi especially benefits women in handling those worrisome menstrual cramps. The powder is also used in Ayurveda in combination with other herbs for various disorders.
People seeking to shed that extra weight may include ginger powder in their daily regimen for effective results.
Ginger powder is also proven to give relief from arthritis and osteoporosis.
It is also used as a beauty aid. The powder mixed with honey and applied on face is known to remove impurities on face.
Consuming ginger powder mixed with butter milk is a useful therapy for urine infection.
It is also proven to improve blood circulation and address numbness in hands and feet.
Consuming ginger powder mixed with jaggery is known to address cardiac disorders.
The powder is also useful in gaining relief from toothaches and gum problems.
Owing to its warm properties, the herb can be taken on a daily basis during rainy and winter seasons but should be consumed cautiously during summer as it increase body heat.
Few simple changes and healthy additions in lifestyle can yield remarkable results and lower our dependence on allopathic medicines.
