14 Benefits Of Ginger Powder (Sonth) For Skin And Health

Ginger powder is made from dried ginger root. Fresh ginger root is usually sundried and then ground up to get a fine white powder. It is used in many cuisines. Ginger powder’s benefits are numerous and gaining the attention of many health enthusiasts. This powder is majorly preferred because of its long shelf life. It is called sonti in Telugu, shunti in Kannada, soonth in Gujarati, suntha in Marathi, saunth in Hindi, and chukku in Malayalam. Learn more about ginger powder and the array of benefits it offers from the article below. Scroll down!

Know Your Ingredient: Ginger Powder

What Is It?
A light yellow powder made from grinding sun-dried ginger with a strong spicy aroma.

What Are Its Benefits?
It helps relieve colds and headaches and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and flatulence.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone can take it except people on antibiotics, blood thinning, and diabetes medications.

How Often?
You can use 3 to 4 grams of ginger powder for cooking daily.

Caution
Overconsumption may lead to heartburn, palpitations, and increased body heat.

Benefits Of Ginger Powder

Ginger powder is packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals and is a popular herbal medicine. Let us look at the top 14 best ginger powder benefits:

1. Culinary Uses

• Dried ginger powder is used in spices and masalas for gravies, curries, marinades, stews etc.
• Mix cinnamon, fennel, cardamom and cloves to make masala tea with powdered ginger
• Marinades for Tandoori starters, vegetarian and non-vegetarian.
• Used to flavour ginger breads.
• Dried ginger root powder is also used for food preparations for expecting women and feeding mothers.
• Dried ginger powder is used for adding flavor to a variety of baked dishes like ginger cookies and ginger candies (1).

Trivia

India ranks first in world ginger production and is among the top 10 global exporters.

2. Toner

Ginger powder boosts skin health. It improves skin elasticity and boosts skin hydration levels too. Boil two teaspoons of dry ginger powder in 4 cups of water. Reduce this till it becomes half. Strain and cool; now add a few drops of lavender or rosemary oil. Mix all these ingredients well and store it in a glass bottle. Refrigerate this toner and apply with cotton on the face. This protects the skin, removes impurities, hydrates it, reduces dryness and tones it (2).

3. Stomach Irritation

Dry ginger powder may help improve symptoms of dyspeptic, a type of chronic indigestion that lead to bloating and stomach discomfort (1). Mix it with sugarcane juice and consume the mixture every day early in the morning to get relief from stomach irritation.

4. Headache

One of the best benefits of ginger powder is relieving headache. The most common problem of headaches can be cured by applying the powder paste on the forehead. This therapy is used to cure headaches. You can also apply the paste on your throat to relieve throat pain (2).

Trivia

The Spanish people had first introduced ginger to the West Indies and Mexico.

5. Chest Pain

Many anecdotal studies suggest that dry ginger powder helps alleviate chest pain that occurs due to gastrointestinal issues. This effect could be attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of dry ginger. However, limited data is available to prove this claim.

Mary Sabat, RDN, says, “At this time, there is not enough scientific evidence to say that ginger powder lowers blood pressure or is good for your heart. Some studies have suggested that ginger powder may have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and heart health, but further research is needed to confirm this.”

Mix dry ginger powder and sugar with tender coconut water and drink it.

6. Anti-Inflammatory

Dry ginger powder contains anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe arthritis and boost joint health.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of this powder in water and bring it to a boil. Drink this water to help soothe the swollen joints. You can also apply the paste on the swollen knee joints for pain relief (3). Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may also help with muscle soreness.

7. Common Cold

Ginger powder is one of the common ingredients found in your kitchen which helps treat the symptoms of common cold (4).

• You can consume raw ginger, however, many people find that too strong for their taste. You can instead reap ginger tea benefits, one of which is relief from cold, by making a cup and drinking it several times a day.
• You can also make a paste of dry ginger powder, clove and salt and consume this twice a day to relieve cold symptoms.
• Another method to cure this is to mix dry ginger powder with jaggery to cure a running nose.

8. Metabolism

Dry ginger powder contains thermogenic agentsⁱ  They boost thermogenesis (heat production in organisms) and raise the rate at which the body burns calories. that are useful to burn fat and treat obesity. Take this powder to increase metabolism rate that will help burn off the stored fat in the body. This is also useful to reduce cholesterol and triglycerideⁱ  The body gets its energy from fats called triglycerides which can be both created by your body or obtained from food. levels in the body (5). Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may help boost gut health and improve nutrient absorption as well.

9. Ginger Powder For Weight Loss

One of the effective benefits of ginger powder is aiding in weight loss. Ginger powder tea is one of the remedies to lose weight. Add ½ teaspoon of dry ginger powder in a cup of hot water. Dissolve this properly and drink this everyday for weight loss. This tea can also be sweetened with honey, if required (5).

Vijeta Goyal, a blogger, shares her experience of using ginger powder tea for weight loss. She writes,“I am re-thinking and appreciating the power of ginger and all the benefits it provides us with…. If you drink a cup of ginger tea after each meal, it can prevent bloating and support digestion. I favor drinking a cup of ginger tea in the evening when I would like some energy from within the body! (i).”

Did You Know?

There are more than 1000 species of ginger available around the world.

10. Flatulence

• Ginger powder has anti-flatulence properties. Mix dry ginger powder and a pinch of asafoetida and black salt in warm water to reduce flatulence (6).
• Mix dry ginger powder with half a teaspoon of carom seeds and 2-3 drops of lemon juice.  Make a thick paste and dry it in the shade. Consume 1 gm of this every morning and evening with salt to help reduce symptoms of flatulence.

11. Urinary Infections

Dry ginger powder can be added to milk and sugar to get rid of urinary infections (7).

12. Ginger Baths

Take 1 tablespoon of dry ginger powder and mix it with an equal amount of baking soda. Slowly and gently rub the mixture on your body or use it as a ginger face mask to cleansing your facial skin effectively (11).

13. Migraine

Take 2 tablespoons of dry ginger powder with warm water before the onset of migraineⁱ  An extremely painful headache frequently accompanied by vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. pain (8).

14. Acne

Turmeric and ginger benefit the skin in many ways. They have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties to help unclog pores and kill acne-causing bacteria (9).

Mix milk powder and dry ginger powder to make a smooth paste. Apply on a clean face and neck and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Wash and apply facial moisturizer. Use this once a week to reap the antimicrobial benefits and clear acne and breakouts. This mask will rejuvenate your skin and renew the skin cells to give your skin a youthful glow.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that ginger powder may help boost nail health and hair health as well. It supports respiratory health by suppressing inflammatory and allergic reactions associated with asthma (3). Ginger bolsters anti-oxidative stress and has a high amount of total antioxidants (3.85 mmol/100 g) (3). It shows anti-constipation, anti-nausea, and anti-vomiting properties (3). It has antiviral and antifungal properties as well (10). Ginger can even play a major role in cancer prevention (3).

Ginger has a rich nutritional profile that may contribute to your overall health and well-being. But do ginger supplements provide the same benefits? Check out the next section to find out.

Ginger Supplements: Are They Effective?

Many people use ginger supplements to relieve symptoms of motion sickness, morning sickness, and chemotherapy-induced nausea (11), (12), (13). They come in the form of capsules, powders, and extracts. Studies suggest that a dosage between 0.5–1.5 g may help reap its health benefits (14). However, consult a doctor before incorporating ginger supplements into your routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions or take certain medications.

Ginger and its supplements are beneficial. But do they carry any potential side effects? Learn about it in the next section.

Risks And Side Effects Of Ginger Powder

Ginger powder is generally safe to use. However, its overconsumption may lead to side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort, heartburn, and diarrhea. People with a ginger allergy should also avoid it to prevent adverse reactions. Studies show that it may lower blood pressure and glucose levels, and cause an irregular heartbeat in some cases (15). It may also interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications and increase the risk of bleeding (15). So, before you decide to consume ginger powder, always consult a healthcare expert.

Infographic: Ginger Powder

Ginger powder is a strong spice that may be used as a traditional home remedy for many ailments. It can help address many problems and has a rich nutritional profile.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about ginger powder, its nutritional value, how to prepare it at home, and some of its potential negative effects.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is powdered ginger as good as fresh ginger?

No. Powdered ginger contains fewer essential oils and bioactive compounds than fresh ginger.

How much ginger powder should I take daily?

Taking no more than 2 teaspoons of ginger powder per day is safe and beneficial to health.

Is ginger powder the same as ground ginger?

Yes. The terms are used interchangeably and mean the same.

How much powdered ginger equals a tablespoon of fresh ginger?

For every 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger in a recipe, use 1/4 teaspoon of powdered ginger.

Illustration: Benefits Of Ginger Powder (Sonth) For Skin And Health

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to make delicious recipes with dried ginger powder and reap the health benefits! Discover how to make the most of this amazing spice by clicking on the video below.

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Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Pallavi SrivastavaClinical Nutritionist

   

Pallavi Srivastava is a Clinical Nutritionist with over 16 years of experience and the founder of Q-Slim Fitness Studio. She has dealt with more than 6000 clients, including Industrialists, Politicians, TV and film Celebrities, etc.

Read full bio of Dr. Pallavi Srivastava

• 
  Mary SabatMS, RDN, LD Mary Sabat, MS, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian and a certified in personal training by the American Council of Exercise. She has 30 years of experience in nutrition education, wellness coaching, fitness training, holistic health, and weight loss coaching. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Delaware and master’s degree in Human Nutrition with an emphasis on Exercise Science from Rutgers University.
  
  Mary Sabat, MS, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian and a certified in personal training by the American Council of Exercise. She has 30 years of experience in nutrition education, wellness coaching, fitness training, holistic health, and weight loss coaching. She obtained her bachelor's degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Delaware and master’s degree in Human Nutrition with an emphasis on Exercise Science from Rutgers University.

Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

Read full bio of Tanya Choudhary

Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Moksha GandhiHealth & Wellness Writer

Moksha is a health and wellness writer and a certified diet and nutrition coach. Her passion for science and writing has helped her excel in crafting evidence-based articles. Her previous experience in writing science-based research papers ensures that her articles are grounded in research and provide practical tips that are reader-focused.

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