Oral care5 min
A Sliver of Ginger with Salt for a Dry Mouth
A thin slice of fresh ginger sprinkled with a pinch of rock salt, chewed slowly to stimulate saliva, an old Ayurvedic appetiser also handy for a dry mouth.
The Ayurvedic view of ginger
Ginger is used fresh (adrak) or dried (sonth) in Indian homes. Ayurveda calls dry ginger a universal medicine for digestion and cold days, and studies support ginger for nausea.
Ayurveda recommends fresh ginger with rock salt before meals to kindle appetite. The pungent taste also stimulates saliva, which can relieve a temporarily dry mouth. Ongoing dry mouth can be caused by medicines, diabetes or other conditions and needs a check.
Ingredients
- A thin slice of fresh ginger
- A pinch of rock salt (sendha namak)
- A few drops of lemon (optional)
How to prepare
- Sprinkle salt and lemon over the ginger slice.
How to use
- Chew slowly before a meal or when your mouth feels dry.
- Sip water through the day.
Helpful habits
- Dry ginger (sonth) is stronger than fresh; use about a third as much.
Precautions
- Skip with mouth ulcers or acidity. People on low-salt diets should leave out the salt.
- Large amounts can cause heartburn; check with a doctor if you take blood thinners.
- Keep brushing twice a day; see a dentist for pain, swelling or an ulcer lasting over two weeks.
- Stop if you notice itching, rash, stomach upset or any other discomfort.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it help dry mouth?
- Pungent and salty tastes trigger saliva.
Is ongoing dry mouth serious?
- It can raise cavity risk and may signal a condition worth checking.
Fresh ginger or sonth?
- Fresh is milder and juicier; sonth is stronger and more warming.
