Zingiber officinale - Inguru - ඉඟුරු

Botanical Name - Zingiber officinale.
Family         - Zingiberaceae
English Name   - Ginger
Sanskrit Names -Dry ginger-Shunti, Vishva, Nagara, Vishvabheshaja, Vishvaushadha,Mahaushadha.  
                         Citraka, Kola, Srungavera, Bheshaja, Ushnaka.Fresh ginger-Ardraka, Srungavera, Ardrika
Singhalese Name-Inguru
Morphology-Leafy stem 2m ,leaves sessile,acuminate,narrow,flowers are dull yellow,anther crest dark purpale,have rhizomes.
Chemical - Camphen/ Zingiber officinella/ beta myrcene.
Types -Wild ginger /Affrican ginger / Calicot ginger / Japanes ginger / Cakutta ginger
Parts used     - Rhizome (fresh or dry)
Propaties:
             Rasa      Katu
             Guna      Laghu, snigdha
             Veerya    Ushna

             Vipaka    Madhura        
Effect on dosha-Alleviate Kapha & Vata
Pharmacological action -Promote appetite & digestion, Aphrodisiac ,Anulomana,vrushya.
Therapeutic action- Vomiting, Asthma, Cough, Heart diseases, swelling due to Filariasis (Sleepada shopha), Flatulance, abdominal pains, swollen joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis.                                                            
External,
•Powdered ginger & oil is use for massage to reduce Chills.
•Dry ginger powder is rubbed on the skin in excessive swelling & in hypothermia.
Internal,
 Digestive disorders (Ajeerna)-Fresh ginger with Saindawa (rock salt)
 Hiccoughs – Nasal douche by fresh ginger juice & sugar
 Diarrhea –Juice of fresh ginger & Iriveriya (Plectranthus zeylanicus) with honey.
 Asthma-Fresh ginger juice with gaggery.
Prepared drugs
Sunti churna
Ardraka leha
Suntyadi kvata
        Nagarapanaya