ADRAKA (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE ROSE.) A MULTIDIMENSIONAL DRUG IN AYURVEDA– A REVIEW

Abstract

Adraka is said as best wholesome rhizome in Charaka Samhita. Adraka has botanical name as Zingiber officinale Rose. and belongs to Zingiberaceae family, in English it is called as Zinger. Sunthi is processed and dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale Rose. Zinger is very commonly used spice in every home in India. Adraka is having Katu Rasa (pungent teste), Guru(heaviness), Ruksha(dryness), Tikshna(penetrating) Guna and Ushna Veerya(hot potency). It is commonly used home remedy in different conditions like cough, cold, indigestion etc. It’s useful part is rhizome. It acts as Ruchikar(appetizer), Amapachaka(digestive), Vrishya(aphrodisiac), Swarya(beneficial for throat) and useful in Vibandha(constipation), Chhardi(vomiting), Shwasa(dyspnoea), Shoola(pain), Kasa(cough), Anaha(abdominal distension), Shopha(inflammation), Arsha(piles). It has having Anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, anti-microbial, cardioprotective, anti-nausea and anti-emetic activity.