ARDRAKA ( HEALTH SUPPORTER )

Ardraka (ginger) a name which seems to be familiar to us. Do we really know the real side of ardraka? Do we really know its magical properties? Do we really know its power? Do we really know its potency? Ask yourself again.. 

Ardraka is an very ancient and popular home remedy, which have its own fragrance and flavour. Ardraka have a very long history in our home and play a important part in our food.  

It plays an important role in our home diaries. It also occupies a large place in our medicine. 

 Ardraka due to its properties show magical effects on different type of diseases.

In this artical :-

A) What is Ardraka?

B) Benefits
C) Properties
D) Intake procedures
E) Doses
F) Indications
G) Contra-indications
H) Side-effects
 I) Formulations

A)What is Ardraka (Ginger)? 

Ardraka( Zingiber officinale) is a widely used spice that belongs to Scitaminae (Zingiberaceae).It is one meter tall perennial herb with narrow leaf blade. It's flower have pale yellow petals with purple edges. Ardraka has aromatic rhizomes (ginger root) which is used as a spice and folk medicine. It is mainly found in southeast Aisa.

Ardraka is also known as Vishwabhaishaj, it  means that it is a drug which is used in almost every disease.

Different aacharya placed Ardraka(shunti) in different gana's like:-

• Aacharya charak - Triptighna, Arshoghna, Deepaniya, Shulpreshman, Trishnanighrahan.

• Aacharya Sushruta - Pippalyadi, Trikatu Varga
• Bhavaprakasha nighantu - Shada Ushana, Panchakola 

SHUNTI :-

Shunti is a best useful form of ardraka. It is also known as dry ginger. It can be prepared by using following steps:-

1) Take fresh rhizomes of ardraka and remove its skin with the help of a knife.

2)Keep it in a bowl filled with water and leave it for 24 hours. 

3) Now, dip it into lime water for another 24 hours. 

4)Take it out and dry it. 

5)For drying keep it in sunlight in the morning and in shade in the evening for about 8-12 days. 

6)After that, rub it with a thick cotton cloth.

5) Shunti is ready to use .

For making lime water for shunti preparation:

Dissolve 1kg of calcium carbonate in 1litre of water.

                                     Shunti

B)Benefits:-            

1) Improves digestive power

2) Reduces pain

3) Reduces swelling

4) Opens obstructed body channels

5) Enhances brain function

6) Regulates blood sugar level

7) Eases menstrual pain

8) Increases fertility

9) Reduces cholesterol level

10) Improves tastes

11) Fights against infection

Helps in treatment of diseases:-

1)Digestive problems              

2) Cough & cold                      

3) Asthma         

4) Anorexia (decreased appetite)                      

5) Arsha ( piles)       

6) Fever                  

7) Soreness of voice            

8) Constipation & Indigestion

9) Anemia

10) Osteoarthritis

11) Swelling

12)Dysmenorrhoea

13)Headache

14)Heart disease

C)Properties:-

• Rasa – Katu
• Guna – Ardraka – guru, ruksha, tikshan                       shunti– laghu, snigdha
• Veerya – Ushna
• Vipaka – Ardraka - katu
•                 Shunti - madhura
• Doshagnatha –            
• Ardraka - kapha-vatta shamak & pittakarak
• Shunti - kapha-vatta hara.  

D)Intake procedures:-

Swarasa

Churna

Kwath

• SWARASA

1) Take some fresh rhizomes of  ardraka and  wash them properly under running tap water.               

2) Chop the rhizomes into small pieces.

3) Place those pieces on sil-batta (grind-            stones) and make a fine paste.

4) Take a clean cotton cloth.

5) Place the paste on a 2-3 times folded cloth    and squeeze it carefully.

6) Collect the squeezed part in a glass.

7) Ardraka swarasa is ready.

• POWDER

1) Take some pieces of shunti and break them into small pieces.

2) Add the shunti pieces into a mixture (grinder) and its powder.

3) Sieve it through a cotton cloth properly to  get a fine powder.

4) Shunti powder is ready.

E)Doses:-

Swarasa :- 5-10 ml

Powder :- 1-2 gm

F)Indications:-

       SHUNTI                                 ARDRAKA

1) Cough & cold               1)Digestive problems

2) Asthma                        2) Anorexia

3) Arsha ( piles)              3) Fever

4) Fever                            4) Cough & cold

5) Soreness of voice      5) Asthma

6) Swelling                      6) Constipation

7) Anemia                       7) Indigestion

8) Heart disease

9) Dysmenorrhoea

10) Osteoarthritis

11) Headache

G)Contra-indications:-

1) Acidity

2) Peptic ulcers

3) Mouth ulcer

4) Polymenorrhoea

H)Side effects:-

1) Heartburn

2) Abdominal discomfort

3) Diarrhoea

4) Irritation in mouth and throat

5) Cardiac arrhythmias ( if overdosed)

6) Extra menstrual bleeding (if overdosed)

I)Formulations:-

1) Ardraka Rasayana

2) Naagaradi kashaya

3) Ardraka ghrit

4) Saubhagyasunthi paka

A life without health is like a river without water. So get your health supporter.

                                                         - AYUR REALM