Benefits and Uses of Dry Ginger (Chukku or Sukku in Tamil)

We have seen the benefits and usages of fresh ginger through my previous post. Now we'll see about "Dry Ginger". 

Dry ginger has got almost all the medicinal properties of fresh ginger. We

Dry Ginger

know ginger has high in potassium, manganese also vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and B complex, Phosphorous, Sodium, Iron, Zinc, Calcium and so on. Dry ginger also possess all these properties. 

Dry ginger has got many therapeutic properties like fresh ginger. Mostly dry ginger is used in powder form and easily available in most of the departmental stores.

This herb is widely used in Indian kitchen and also used in traditional medicines like Ayurveda and siddha and other Indian medicines.  It is referred to as Chukku or Sukku in tamil.

Let us see the usages

Dried ginger is used in traditional medicines to relieve gastrointestinal distress. It is very effective in eliminating gas in the intestines as well as act to help in the relaxation of the tract.

Gingerols present in the dry ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. By taking dry ginger regularly, studies have shown that people suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have experienced decrease in their pain.

Stomach irritation can be cured by drinking sugarcane juice mixing with dry ginger powder. Have to take this drink daily for some days to get better result.

Check out the Wikipedia tamil page on Dry Ginger here. Although there is less information there, I am sure in coming days, there will be more information in wikipedia about this dry ginger.

Dry ginger has more benefits - It can be used to treat wheezing, chest irritation, ear ache etc.

For head ache, make ginger powder paste by mixing dry ginger powder with little hot water. Wait till it gets dry by body heat. Surely you will be relieved from head ache .Use the same treatment to get relieve from throat pain also. This is one of our grandma’s treatments.

During winter if you drink daily dry ginger water, it will keep you warm throughout the day and will prevent you from cold and flu. It is very easy to prepare. Just put two or three pinches of dry ginger powder in a tumbler of water and boil for few minutes and filter it. Now the Ginger water is ready to use. (Use only one or two pinches of dry ginger powder for a tumbler of ginger water)

While using the dry ginger it must be noted the skin of the ginger must be removed completely, even while making dry ginger powder.

Dry ginger powder is used in making spices and masalas. Ginger tea and coffee are very famous and very tasty. Along with being a warm drink they are also good for health. Ginger biscuits, and ginger breads are also common.

Precaution: Ginger powder should be kept in tightly sealed container and should be kept in a cool place. It can be kept in the refrigerator also.

TURMERIC - The Natural Indian Antiseptic

In my previous post we discussed about the valuable medicinal effects of BITTER GOURD. Now it is about a well-known spice called TURMERIC.

Turmeric is one of the nature’s gifts for us.

Turmeric is a perennial herbaceous plant that is native to Indian Subcontinent. It is a root product like ginger.

It is used right from the ancient times in India as well as in many other countries. Most Indians cannot think of a day without this herb in our cooking. 

  

Photo Author: Thamizhpparithi Maari

The main active ingredient in this herb is CURCUMIN. This CURCUMIN has got many medicinal properties. This will help to treat many diseases including Cancer, Allergies, Arthritis, and Common cold etc. Turmeric is used in various forms in traditional medicines in Siddha, Ayurveda etc.,

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent can be used for cuts, burns. It can be applied on burns and cuts and help in curing them. Due to these properties turmeric is used in many beauty products.

This valuable spice contains anti-inflammatory properties. It is used to treat cancers and helps in prevention of cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Do you know turmeric can be used to prevent PROSTATE CANCER? A study revealed the concentrated sources of the phytonutrient curcumin can help in preventing prostate tumour growth cells and also may stop existing prostate cancer.

Important note for young ladies - if you are having trouble with acne, turmeric is the best remedy. It is harmless and gives great results. Mix the turmeric powder with sandal wood powder with little water and apply on the affected parts of the face, as a regular basis for some time. It will definitely reduce the appearance of acne. It is a cheaper, Natural and effective remedy for this kind of problems.

Turmeric is widely used in powder form. For many years turmeric powder is used in our kitchen for preparing many dishes.  

Hot milk with few pinches of turmeric powder will help to cure “throat infection” and “gum infection”. By knowing its valuable medicinal properties turmeric (Manjal in Tamil), is considered auspicious in India and is used widely in our most religious ceremonies, especially in weddings and other religious functions.

I have given some information about this valuable herb. You may know more about this yellow herb if so feel free to give your comments.

Here is one valuable tip: Are you suffering from nose block due to cold? Turmeric can be used as a natural inhaler. Just select a turmeric longer in size, by holding one end,  heat the other end on candle flame or lamp flame till you get smoke from the turmeric, then inhale the smoke for few seconds repeat for two or three times. Definitely you will be relieved from the nose block and cold. This one of our grandmas’ easy and effective remedy.

Will meet you with another natural herb through next post

HEPAR SULPHURIS CALCAREUM (Hepar Sulph) for vertigo, stomach disorders, Arthritis and others

We had seen about DULCAMARA which is an effective medicine for Rheumatic pain and skin problems in my previous post. If not, please check it out.

Now we will discuss about another medicine called HEPAR SULPHURIS CALCAREUM. This is normally called HEPAR SULPH in short.

This medicine is derived very carefully from the fine powder of oyster shell and is mixed with cleaned and dried flowers of SULFER (“Flowers of Sulfer are not flowers, but a yellow power that is obtained from natural deposits of a mineral, which look like tiny flowers under a microscope. This is a natural product.  Sulphur and Sulfer are same as per etymology – Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur#Spelling_and_etymology). The mixture is then heated in a porcelain crucible and left to become cold.  After that the contents (powder) are dissolved in hot hydrochloric acid, mixed with milk or sugar, and then diluted.

It is one of fine remedies for abscesses but it is useful only before the abscess is open.

HEPAR SULPH is generally prescribed for the people who are suffering from cold, coughs, sore throat, abscesses, inflamed cuts and wounds.

This can also be used to cure arthritis, constipation, sinusitis, and skin infections.

This remedy is also used to cure nails of the great toe when painful even on slight pressure and also for swollen finger and joints.

HEPAR SULPH has a positive effect on such skin problems like eczema, boils and herpes.

Some of the other physical symptoms for which Hepar Sulph can be used are:

• The patient cannot bear to be uncovered and gets coughs when any part of his body is uncovered
• Stomach disorders and Glandular swelling,
• The patient may be feeling very anguish in mind, in the evening and night with thoughts of suicide, may be feeling very dejected and sad.
• Suffering from Vertigo and headache while shaking head or on riding etc.,
• Urinary symptoms like weakness of the bladder, and feeling some urine is always remaining in the bladder. It is a remedy for old men who are suffering from bladder diseases.

Dosage: This medicine is effective from 3^rd to 200^th potency and the dosage is as usual  4…4…4 for adults and for children 2…2…2

CAUSTICUM for Pains, Sore Throat and Urinary problems

In the last post, we saw about Bryonica Alba (BRY) which is an excellent medicine for Glaucoma, Constipation etc.

CAUSTICUM is prepared from blending of slaked lime and sulphate of potash. It is mainly used as first aid remedy to cure burn injuries, and all pains with burning feeling.

This medicine can also be used mainly to cure chronic Rheumatic, Arthritic and Paralytic problems indicted with tearing, drawing pains in the muscular and Fibrous tissues. It can also be used as cure for Restlessness at night with tearing pain in the joints and bones.

In the case of Head, main indications are Head feeling the sensation of an empty space between the forehead and brain.

Regarding Throat, CAUSTICUM is very useful remedy for Sore throat with dryness and pain and also to treat Stiffness and pain in the neck, throat, and back.

In the case of chest, this medicine can be used to cure the chest pain with palpitations.

This medicine can be used to cure patients with Sufferings due to dull and tearing pain in the hands and arms and also Feeling heaviness and weakness over the body.

Especially CAUSTICUM is a very good remedy in case of Urinary problems – e.g. when patient is Passing urine involuntary while coughing or sneezing, Urine is expelled slowly with loss of sensibility during urination, Retention of urine after urination and Feeling bladder full of urine but no desire to pass. This is also excellent medicine for getting relief from Bladder infection and Feeling urgency to pass urine.

For pain with burning feeling or burning injuries immediately choose this remedy CAUSTICUM. And also don’t forget to use for the urinary problems with the above mentioned symptoms

Dosage: Adult dosage is 4….4….4. For children 2….2….2. It will work with 30th to 200th potency