Learning its miraculous medicinal, therapeutic and culinary powers, Ginger has been used since worldwide since over 5000 years ago. Native to the Indian subcontinent, the herb has been known to be cultivated and used in India from even before historical records began. The uses and benefits vouched for by today’s scientists and researchers are already mentioned in Ayurveda texts thousands of years ago.

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds found in it that are beneficial to health include gingerols, beta-carotene, capsaicin, caffeic acid, curcumin and salicylate.

Issues like indigestion, bloating, nausea and vomiting, Acid reflux and noisy stomach affect people of all ages without any discrimination. Sometimes recurring stomach discomforts can also signify underlying problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or dyspepsia.

Weight Management in today’s stressful lifestyle taken prime importance in everyone’s life. Ayurveda as well as recent researches suggest that ginger has thermogenic properties that help in boosting your metabolism and help suppress your appetite. The research also concluded that supplementing ginger controls obesity induced by a high fat diet and also plays an active role in treatment of obesity and its complications.

• Grate 1 inch of ginger and mix juice of half a lime and a pinch of salt to it. Eating two pinches of this mixture before each meal helps to control appetite and aid digestion.
• Just peel and grate fresh or ground dry ginger (1 tbsp) in one cup of water and boil it for 15-20 mins. Strain and drink warm. Repeat as required to get almost immediate relief from migraine headaches.
• Chewing on raw ginger is an excellent remedy for any type of nausea – indigestion, motion sickness, pregnancy to name a few.
• Ginger can be paired with many foods – raw or cooked to enhance the flavour. It can be added to fresh juice, soups or smoothies, to a stir fry or as salad dressing, or even into multiple baking products like cookies and cakes.

The humble Curry Leaf was not used by our ancestors in almost every other food preparation just to be discarded while eating. They do more than just seasoning your food.

Curry leaves are a rich source of iron and folic acid which helps in keeping anaemia at bay. The antioxidants in the leaves when combined with vitamin A and C protects the liver and stimulates it to work efficiently.

Rich in Nutrients like Vitamin B, Antioxidants, plant sterols and amino acids, it helps in boosting hair growth and scalp health. Use of Curry Leaves combined with other ingredients will strengthen the hair roots and stimulate hair growth and maintain scalp health.

These humble leaves also contain high amounts of vitamin A and is good for eyesight. Carotenoids, the main component of Vitamin A, protect the cornea, which is the eye surface.

With the onset of winter, respiratory problems are a common sight. The leaves with their anti-inflammatory, decongestant and antioxidant properties help release congested mucous.

Here are some of the ways how the benefits of curry leaves can be reaped –

• To use as hair tonic, fry a handful of curry leaves in 2-3 tbsp of coconut oil in a pan until the leaves turn black. Cool the mixture, strain it and gently massage your scalp with your fingertips while applying the oil. Concentrate most on the roots and tips of your hair. Leave it on for an hour and then rinse it with shampoo.
• Just take a spoonful of powdered dry curry leaves, mix it with a spoonful of honey to it. Make it a paste and eat this solution twice a day to decongest your nose blocks.
• Add some paste made out of curry leaves to buttermilk and take it on an empty stomach in the mornings to help cure gastrointestinal issues.
• Juice made out of a bunch of curry leaves and lime extracts will help keep cancer at bay, since the leaves are rich in chemical constituents like phenols.
• The juice or paste of the leaves can also be applied directly on burns, cuts, bruises, skin irritations and insect bites for reducing the itch, burning sensation and for a quick and clean recovery.