The Ayurvedic Spice You’ll Want to Add to Your Wellness Routine

Ginger has been hailed as a superfood for centuries and herbal medicine traditions have long touted the benefits of this spicy and citrusy root. Studies have shown that incorporating ginger into your diet can help fight inflammation, boost immunity, and support healthy digestion and gut health thanks to a natural component it contains called gingerol. While these benefits are no secret in wellness circles, ginger also has a deeper significance in Ayurveda.

Sattvic spices and the gut-brain connection

Native to the lush, tropical forests of India, ginger is one of Ayurveda’s sattvic spices, which are believed to promote calmness and clarity of mind. Sattvic spices are roots and herbs associated with the Ayurvedic concept of sattva, one of the three gunas, or personal qualities or tendencies, in Indian Vedic literature that influence the state of our mind and bodies. Sattva is associated with positive emotions such as joy, compassion, and harmony. So, might a sattvic spice such as ginger help cultivate a peaceful mind in addition to its physical health benefits? Western science aligns with this ancient Ayurvedic knowledge.

The link between gut health and mental health is a booming field of research. Millions of nerve cells lining the intestinal tract make up the Enteric Nervous System, which governs digestion but also produces neurochemicals that influence mood, such as dopamine and serotonin. Research, including a landmark 2024 study published in Nature, has also shown that our gut and brain are in constant communication; this is known as the gut-brain axis. Changes in the gut microbiome are linked to fluctuations in mental health, with anti-inflammatory microbes linked to stress resilience.

Easy ways to incorporate ginger into your daily ritual

While a sattvic diet includes a variety of fresh, nutritious foods, ginger is an easy and accessible way to incorporate a key sattvic ingredient into your routine. Throw a small chunk of raw ginger into a morning smoothie, sprinkle some dried spice into a curry or stir-fry, or get cozy with a mug of ginger tea.

A teaspoon of fresh ginger steeped in hot water with a bit of honey and lemon is a classic recipe, or you can shake things up with a ginger blend, such as Mango Ginger Digestive Support. Sweet and subtly spicy, this warming tea is a perfect post-dinner treat. It delivers ginger’s digestive support alongside tropical mango, antioxidant-rich rooibos, and aromatic cinnamon and cardamom for a comforting and calming ritual.