Ginger Tea Recipe
Fresh ginger tea and similar tonics have been used across the globe as natural remedies for symptoms like nausea for thousands of years, due to the plant’s unique medicinal properties. Records show that thee Ancient Chinese, Romans, Greeks, Arabs all relied upon ginger root in one way or another, at a time when anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory medications didn’t exist.
While it’s certainly possible to find dried ginger tea bags in most grocery stores, there’s nothing like fresh ginger tea for helping with digestion and other ailments.
If you’ve never made homemade herbal tea at home before, it might seem intimidating, but it’s in fact really easy to steep ginger in hot water in order to release its therapeutic compounds.
Why Is Ginger So Good for You?
However, it’s only in recent years that we’ve begun to uncover exactly why ginger is so good for you and the powerful effect that it can have on your health.
Research shows that ginger contains many valuable compounds like gingerol, shogaol, paradol and zingerone. Gingerol, in particular, is considered to account for most of the beneficial effects of ginger.
Some studies have found that gingerol can even effectively inhibit inflammation. While inflammation is a perfectly normal immune response, chronic inflammation is thought to be at the root of conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Thanks to its gingerol content, ginger makes the list of top anti-inflammatory foods and has been used as a natural treatment for many inflammatory conditions, ranging from arthritis to Alzheimer’s.
Not only that, but ginger has also been found to be effective in fighting against pathogenic strains of viruses, fungi and bacteria that contribute to disease.
Recent studies continue to unearth the many ways that ginger affects health, and so far it has been shown to boast some impressive benefits. From relieving nausea to boosting brain health, enhancing weight loss and controlling blood sugar, a cup or two of ginger tea each day has the potential to make a big impact on your health. (You also may want to try to make ginger shots, which also feature other healthy ingredients.)
Benefits
1. Soothes the Stomach
Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for nausea, motion sickness and morning sickness for centuries. If you’re feeling a bit queasy, sipping on a hot cup of ginger root tea may be just what you need.
2. Enhances Immunity
Whether you’re starting to feel a bit under the weather or you have a full-blown case of the sniffles, ginger tea may be able to help give your immune system a much-needed boost. In fact, many people use ginger tea for cold symptoms, allergies and infections as an effective natural remedy.
Ginger contains compounds like gingerols, shogaol and paradols, which can help fight free radicals, reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic disease, according to some test-tube studies.
Ginger root also features powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Test-tube studies suggest that it may effectively protect against respiratory tract infections, fungal infections and even gum disease.
3. Protects Brain Health
Thanks to its ability to reduce inflammation, some research has found that ginger root benefits the health of your brain and could help protect against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s.
4. Eases Pain
If you suffer from chronic pain in your joints or muscles, you may want to consider adding a cup of ginger tea into your routine. Ginger has been shown to alleviate inflammation, reduce muscle and joint pain, and even decrease the severity of menstrual cramps.
5. Increases Weight Loss
Looking to shed a few pounds? Try starting your day with a warm cup of ginger tea to kick up fat burning and help lose weight fast.
6. Supports Digestive Health
Some studies have found that ginger can help promote proper digestion by preventing common conditions like indigestion and stomach ulcers.
One study out of Taiwan showed that taking ginger capsules improved gastric motility and actually doubled the speed of stomach emptying to help prevent dyspepsia, or indigestion. Meanwhile, an animal study in 2011 reported that ginger powder protected against the formation of aspirin-induced stomach ulcers in rats.
7. Promotes Blood Sugar Control Diabetes is a growing health concern around the globe. In fact, according to a 2017 review published by Population Health Management, the prevalence of diabetes is expected to increase by 54 percent between 2015 and 2030.
Ginger tea may be beneficial when it comes to maintaining normal blood sugar levels. A study in Iran supplemented 22 participants with ginger daily and found that it led to decreased fasting blood sugar and better long-term blood sugar control.
Another study in 2014 showed that ginger powder improved blood sugar as well as insulin resistance in people with diabetes.
8. Keeps Cholesterol in Check
High cholesterol can build up in the blood, clogging blood vessels and increasing your risk of heart disease. Some studies have found that ginger may lower cholesterol levels to help protect the health of your heart.
How to Make Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is surprisingly easy to make.
First, it’s important to use ginger root rather than ginger powder, as it contains more active and therapeutic compounds. Look for fresh ginger root that has a thin, shiny skin that can easily be scraped with your fingernail.
Simply wash about a two-inch knob of ginger root and slice finely. No need to peel but make sure all dirt is cleaned off.
Add ginger slices to around three cups of boiling water and boil for 10 to 20 minutes, know that boiling it longer will make the tea even stronger.
Remove the pot from the stove and strain the tea into a couple of mugs. Add fresh lemon juice from half a squeezed lemon along with one-fourth teaspoon of turmeric.
Optionally, add raw honey or maple syrup if you desire some sweetness. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a cinnamon stick for an extra kick.
Store any extra in the refrigerator for one to two days. Drink one to three cups daily to maximize the health benefits.
Depending on why you’re consuming fresh ginger tea, you may want to add other optional ingredients that support detoxification and your immune system. Here’s a bit about several “synergistic” ingredients that make great additions to fresh ginger tea:
Turmeric — Provides the active compound called curcumin, which has demonstrated healthy inflammation support and antioxidant effects. May help to improve digestive processes and is also considered a warming spice, supporting your metabolism.
Lemon juice — Helps “trick” the liver into producing bile, which helps keep food moving through your body and gastrointestinal tract. May also help reduce indigestion and bloating.
Raw honey — This is a nutrient-dense, natural sweetener that provides you with enzymes and antioxidants that have been shown to support immune function.
Cayenne pepper — Contains the chemical called capsaicin, which has circulation-boosting abilities and the power to support digestion. It may help stimulate release of enzymes which can help to curb an upset stomach, loss and appetite and cramps.
Dr Axe