Shunthi — Dry Ginger

Ayurvedic herb Shunthi (Zingiber officinale) — Dry Ginger. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Katu, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Madhura. Balances Vata, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Dry ginger is known as the ‘universal medicine’. It aids digestion, reduces inflammation, and pacifies Vata and Kapha.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKatuKatu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaLaghu, SnigdhaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaMadhuraMadhura (Sweet) — post-digestive sweet, nourishing
PrabhavaDeepana, Pachana, rasayan, HridayaDeepana — kindles digestive fire without digesting ama; Pachana — digests ama and toxins; Rasayana — rejuvenative, promotes longevity and immunity

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Shunthi is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Mahaoushadha, Nagara, Vishwa, Vishwabheshaja

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Shunthi are: kanda.

Main Indications

Shunthi is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Amavata, Ajeerna, Grahani, Kasa, Shwasa.

Dosha Effects

Shunthi pacifies Vata, Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Shunthi is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kauu
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Snigdha
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa 178
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Madhura
Karma (Action)Dipana, P¡cana, Anulomana, āmadoṣahara, V¡takaph¡paha, Hrdya
Dose1-2 g of the drug in powder form.
Therapeutic Uses: Agnim¡ndya, ādhm¡na, P¡ḍtu, śv¡sa, Udararoga, āmav¡ta
Important Formulations: Saubh¡gya¿uḍuhi, Trikauu Cūrḍa, Saubh¡gya Vaui,
Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale Roxb. (Zingiberaceae)
Part Used: Rz.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
rhizomeAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeAnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZThe Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeAnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeAntiemeticsMESH:D000932,UMLS:C0003297, ICD-11:XM4VY6ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363093, ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeAnti-HIV agentsMESH:D019380,UMLS:C0376565ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeAtherosclerosisMESH:D050197,UMLS:C0004153, DOID:1936, ICD-11:BD40.ZISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeAutoimmune diseasesMESH:D001327,UMLS:C0004364, DOID:417, ICD-11:4A4ZISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788172363093, ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9780387706375
rhizomeContraceptive agentsMESH:D003270,UMLS:C0009871ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeDigestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788172363093, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
rhizomeDyspneaMESH:D004417,UMLS:C0013404, ICD-11:MD11.5ISBN:9780387706375, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeEaracheMESH:D004433,UMLS:C0013456, ICD-11:AB70.2ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeElephantiasisMESH:D004604,UMLS:C0013882, DOID:4976, ICD-11:1F66.3ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeFilariasisMESH:D005368,UMLS:C0016085, DOID:1080, ICD-11:1F66The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9789327275590, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeHepatitis bMESH:D006509,UMLS:C0019163, DOID:2043, ICD-11:1E50.1ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeHypercholesterolemiaMESH:D006937,UMLS:C0020443, ICD-11:5C80.0ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeImmunomodulationMESH:D056747,UMLS:C1963758ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeInfluenza, humanMESH:D007251,UMLS:C0021400, DOID:8469, ICD-11:1E32ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363093, ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeInsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeIntestinal secretionsMESH:D007419,UMLS:C0021849ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeIrritable bowel syndromeMESH:D043183,UMLS:C0022104, DOID:9778, ICD-11:DD91.0ISBN:9788172363093, ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeCounterirritantUMLS:C0010215ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeMalariaMESH:D008288,UMLS:C0024530, DOID:12365, ICD-11:1F4ZISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeMuscle weaknessMESH:D018908,UMLS:C0151786, ICD-11:FB32.YISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomePharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172361266
rhizomeRhinitis, allergic, seasonalMESH:D006255, ICD-11:CA08.01The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part-1 Volume-9
rhizomeRhinovirusMESH:D012229,UMLS:C0035473ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeStomach ulcerMESH:D013276,UMLS:C0038358, ICD-11:DA60ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeUrticariaMESH:D014581,UMLS:C0042109, DOID:1555, ICD-11:EB05ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeWound healingMESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240ISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeReduced salivationISBN:9788172363093
rhizomeDiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9789327275590
rhizomeRheumatoid arthritisMESH:D001172,UMLS:C0003873, DOID:7148, ICD-11:FA20ISBN:9788171360536
Abdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4Glimpses Of Medico-Botany Of Bastar District (M.P.)
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
AnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
AnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717062
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788173717062
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:81-204-0828-4
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717062
AscitesMESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04ISBN:81-204-0828-4
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788173717062
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9780387706375
CholeraMESH:D002771,UMLS:C0008354, DOID:1498, ICD-11:1A00ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
ColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
ConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:81-204-0828-4
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
Diabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:81-204-0828-4
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1Glimpses Of Medico-Botany Of Bastar District (M.P.), ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
Digestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:81-204-0828-4
DyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
DyspneaMESH:D004417,UMLS:C0013404, ICD-11:MD11.5ISBN:81-204-0828-4
DysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:81-204-0828-4
EaracheMESH:D004433,UMLS:C0013456, ICD-11:AB70.2ISBN:9788173717062
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
ElephantiasisMESH:D004604,UMLS:C0013882, DOID:4976, ICD-11:1F66.3ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
EmollientsMESH:D004643,UMLS:C0013983, ICD-11:XM1C59ISBN:9788173717062
ExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788173717062
Eye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:81-204-0828-4
FlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
HeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9788173717062
Heart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
InflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717062
Intestinal diseasesMESH:D007410,UMLS:C0021831, DOID:5295, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788172363093
CounterirritantUMLS:C0010215ISBN:9788173717062
Laryngeal diseasesMESH:D007818,UMLS:C0023051, DOID:786, ICD-11:CA0H.YISBN:9788173717062
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788173717062
Liver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
NauseaMESH:D009325,UMLS:C0027497, ICD-11:MD90.0ISBN:9788173717062
Neurotic disordersMESH:D009497,UMLS:C0027932, DOID:4964ISBN:81-204-0828-4
Otitis mediaMESH:D010033,UMLS:C0029882, DOID:10754, ICD-11:AA3ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
PharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
Tongue diseasesMESH:D014060,UMLS:C0040409, DOID:10944, ICD-11:DA03.YISBN:81-204-0828-4
VomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788173717062
Anticarcinogenic agentsMESH:D016588,UMLS:C0085169ISBN:9788172363093
Cooling effect on bodyUMLS:C0678568ISBN:81-204-0828-4