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There’s nothing better than a steaming cup of tea to start your day.
While green tea has its benefits, why not switch it up a little and give ginger a try. After all, the health benefits of ginger tea are amazing.
And if you’re still craving your matcha, you can always grab another cup in afternoon.
Here are 6 reasons to drink ginger tea at least once a day.
6 Health Benefits Of Ginger Tea
Ginger is a powerful root that really deserves a second thought.
1. Anti-inflammatory
Chronic inflammation has been associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, pulmonary diseases and autoimmune diseases (1).
Ginger contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds which protect the body from these ailments and eases inflammatory pain in the muscles and joints.
2. Boosts Immune System
Ginger contains active compounds called gingerols, and gingerdiol, which have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
Additionally, ginger also boosts the body’s ability to naturally fight off infection, making it the perfect cure for the cold and flu (2). This has to be one of the top health benefits of ginger tea.
3. Helps Digestion
Ginger contains gingerols and shogaol, which stimulate the natural process of digestion and increases nutrient absorption.
The root also prevents constipation, heals gastric lesions and fights bloating, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea (3).
4. Promotes Circulation
Ginger keeps your blood flowing normally by fighting markers of cardiovascular disease, like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
It also prevents stroke and heart attack by clearing away arterial plaque, a sticky mix of fatty substances and calcium which builds up in the lining of the artery wall and restricts blood flow.
5. Fights Cancer
By fighting inflammation, ginger works against the development of cancer by preventing the promotion, survival, proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells.
It’s been proven to work against lymphoma, liver, prostate, pancreas, lung, colorectal, breast, skin and bladder cancer (5,6).
6. Boosts Brain Power
Daily ginger consumption improves memory and cognition by protecting the brain from oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation (7,8).
It’s particularly helpful in enhancing cognitive ability in middle-aged women (9). The root also acts as a sedative to helps relax an overactive mind and clear mental fog.
So those are the health benefits of ginger tea. Here’s how you make it!
6 Ginger Tea Recipes
Find out how to make ginger tea by looking through the recipes below.
1. Ginger Honey Tea
This basic recipe is the basis for all the other recipes on this list. Make sure to steep for the whole 10-15 minutes to make sure all the beneficial compound in the root make it into your tea.
You’ll need:
- A small ceramic saucepan
- 1 cup of water
- 4 to 6 thin slices of raw ginger
- Raw organic honey (to taste)
Instructions:
- In the saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat.
- Add ginger slices and reduce heat.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and serve with honey.
2. Ginger Lemon Tea
Packed with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting vitamin C, lemon is a no-brainer to add to your ginger tea. Since most of its active compounds are found in its skin and pulp, don’t forget to add the lemon scraps in your tea strainer.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1-inch piece ginger, sliced
- Juice of 1/4 large lemon
- Raw honey, to taste
- Slices of fresh lemon
Instructions:
- Juice lemon into your cup.
- In the saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat.
- Add ginger slices and lemon peel and reduce heat.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Pour into your cup and serve with honey.
3. Turmeric Ginger Tea
Turmeric, like ginger, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties. The ayurvedic spice also helps with relieving gas, dispelling worms, improving digestion, regulating menstruation, dissolving gallstones, and relieving arthritis (10). For best results, use fresh turmeric.
Also, curcumin, the main compound in the root is more easily absorbed by your body when you ingest it alongside fat and pepper, so don’t skip out on the last two ingredients.
Ingredients :
- 1 cup of water use
- A teaspoon each of fresh grated turmeric (or 1/3 teaspoon ground)
- 1 teaspoon each of fresh grated ginger roots
- A slice of lemon (optional)
- Honey (to taste)
- Coconut milk (to taste)
- A crack of black pepper
Instructions:
- In the saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat.
- Add ginger and turmeric and reduce heat.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Pour into your cup and serve with honey, coconut, and pepper.
- Decorate with a slice of lemon.
4. Lavender Ginger Tea
Lavender is great for reducing insomnia, anxiety, and stress (12). However, it should not be used if you’re taking antidepressant medication, narcotics, sedatives, and anti-anxiety agents. Take it an hour or two before bed and steep with chamomile to help you sleep
Ingredients :
- 1 cup water
- Fresh juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tablespoons lavender buds
- A small peeled knob of fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 pure maple syrup, to taste
- A tablespoon loose green or chamomile tea
- 1 crushed raw garlic cloves (optional)
Instructions:
- In the saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat.
- Add ginger, lavender, and garlic.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and steep tea leaves of chamomile flowers.
- Strain out all the herbs.
- Pour into your cup, and add lemon and maple syrup.
5. Ginger Peach Tea
Peach adds some much-needed sweetness and fruitiness to the sometimes bitter and spicy ginger root. This tea is also wonderfully refreshing when served as iced tea.
Ingredients :
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tablespoon loose green tea leaves
- A sprig of fresh rosemary
- 1-inch piece ginger, sliced
- 1/2 peach, sliced or one tablespoon dried peach
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions:
- In the saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat.
- Add ginger, rosemary or peach.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain out all the herbs.
- Enjoy hot or sweeten and pour into a ceramic pitcher filled with ice.
6. Ginger Green Tea
This tea incorporates all the benefits of green tea, which is packed with disease-fighting antioxidants and polyphenols. Green tea also contains a bit of caffeine, which makes it a great option to replace coffee.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 cup water
- A tablespoon loose green tea
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
Instructions:
- In the saucepan, bring water to a boil over high heat.
- Add ginger and tea leaves.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain out all the herbs.
- Pour into your cup, and add honey.
7 Ways To Use Ginger Tea
Now that you know how to make it, find out when it’s time to reach for a nice cup of tea!
1. Ginger Tea For Pregnancy
Pregnant women are advised to stay away from over-the-counter and prescription medication during the course of their pregnancy (13). Hence, natural remedies like ginger are all the more important.
The root is a safe way to prevent morning sickness and vomiting, as long as you stick to less than 1000 mg of ginger/day (14, 15). However, if you have a history of miscarriage, vaginal bleeding, a clotting disorder, or often feel dizzy in pregnancy, it’s best to avoid ginger. Ginger should also not be combined with medications that prevent blood clotting or those that lower blood pressure or sugar (16).
2. Ginger Tea For Cold
Ginger supports your immune system and promotes recovery when you’re affected by the cold or flu. It can also shorten the duration of your infection and relieve inflammation of the throat (17).
For extra immune-boosting power, add a squirt of lemon juice, a dash of cinnamon, pinch of powdered cloves, touch of turmeric, and 1 pinch of cayenne.
3. Ginger Tea For Weight Loss
A study by researchers at the Institute for Human Nutrition at Columbia University found that drinking hot ginger tea boosts weight loss. “The results, showing enhanced thermogenesis and reduced feelings of hunger with ginger consumption, suggest a potential role of ginger in weight management,” the researchers concluded (18).
Ginger also improves digestion and saliva flow, so it’s a great digestif after a large meal (19).
4. Ginger Tea For Nausea
Ginger improves vertigo-related nausea. It can also improve nausea caused by motion sickness, surgery, or chemotherapy. Drink it before going to the amusement park or after surgery.
5. Ginger Tea To Induce Period
Like parsley, ginger can be used bring on a late period. Stress, lack of sleep, and many other factors can cause your period to be a few days late (20). When this happens, ginger helps kick-start uterine contractions and reduce pain and cramps that come along with your menses.
In fact, A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that ginger was as effective as ibuprofen for relieving painful periods. To use, just steep 2 tablespoons fresh ginger root in water for 15 minutes, strain, and enjoy with honey or lemon. Drink up to 2-3 cups daily.
6. Ginger Tea for Bloating
By improving digestion, ginger helps prevent bloating after eating gas-producing foods (21). If you suffer from cramps regularly, drink a cup of ginger tea after eating cruciferous vegetables or legumes or flavor your meals with fresh minced ginger.
7. Ginger Tea For Heartburn
Ginger fights acid reflux by reducing the likelihood of stomach acid flowing up into the esophagus. It also relieves gastrointestinal irritation and reduces heartburn-related inflammation (22).
Plus, the phenolic compounds in the spice lessen gastric contractions to prevent stomach acid from creeping up in the first place. To keep your heartburn under control, drink ginger tea 30 minutes before your meal and avoid alcohol as well as acidic or spicy foods.
Now that you know all these uses for ginger, go to your local health food store and purchase an organic root.
Store the whole, unpeeled ginger root in a resealable plastic bag, with the air pushed out, in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Store peeled ginger in paper towel and store as usual.
Source: dailyhealthpost.com