- Ginger is packed with vitamins and minerals and has been used for centuries to support healthy immunity, digestion, and more!
- Drinking ginger tea is one of the easiest (and tastiest!) ways to reap the health benefits of ginger root
- If you don’t love the bold, spiciness of pure ginger tea, tone it down with a natural sweetener or steep it into your favorite green tea
You may know it for the zesty punch it adds to your sushi, or the kick of flavor it lends to so many dishes in Indian cuisine. But ginger root is so much more than a flavor enhancer! It makes a divine herbal tea, chock full of potential health benefits.
Ginger: more than just a spice
Ginger is rich in health-promoting compounds like vitamin C, amino acids, and various trace minerals like calcium, zinc, sodium, phosphorus, and more.
Ginger has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for many ailments — it is, in fact, regarded as one of the healthiest spices around! And one of the best ways to enjoy these benefits is by drinking a cup of ginger tea.
So move over green tea – ginger tea is one of the simplest (and most soothing!) ways to avail yourself of a myriad of health benefits.
6 Benefits of ginger tea:
-
- Soothes an upset stomach
- Supports natural inflammatory response
- Supports digestion
- Supports immunity
- Supports healthy blood sugar levels
- Supports brain health
Keep reading for more on these benefits – as well as some unique ginger tea recipes.
1. Soothes an upset stomach
Were you ever given ginger ale when you had an upset tummy as a kid? Or maybe someone gave you ginger tea to soothe your nausea or motion sickness?
People have turned to ginger for its stomach-calming benefits since ancient Greek and Roman times. (1)
Modern science is in agreement. Research has shown that ginger can help to settle the stomach under a variety of circumstances, ranging from being sick to being pregnant and even seasickness.. (2) (3)
Many pregnant women enjoy ginger tea as a home remedy for morning sickness.
2. Supports natural inflammatory response
Ginger is well-loved by dietitians and often included in their lists of “anti-inflammatory foods,” and for good reason. It contains the compound “gingerol” which is very effective at supporting your body’s natural anti-inflammation response. (4)
Ginger has also been found helpful in some instances of muscle pain. (5)(6)
Do you ever experience muscle soreness or cramps after exercising? Ginger tea can help with that too, according to one study. (7) What about menstrual discomfort? Another study showed that ginger root extract may support the management of menstrual discomfort. (8)
3. Supports digestion
If you ever suffer from any digestive distress, such as upset stomach, indigestion, heartburn or bloating, you may want to try ginger tea.
Ginger actually stimulates the muscles of your intestines.
This is also known as digestive motility, and it helps your body break
down food particles and move food and other substances out of your
digestive tract.
4. Supports immunity
A healthy immune system just might be waiting for you at the bottom of a cup of ginger tea. Ginger has demonstrated antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, not to mention vitamin c. This makes it an excellent natural remedy for supporting a healthy immune system. (11) (12) (13)
How exactly does ginger do all that? The ginger root contains compounds called gingerols, shogaol and paradols. These cool little compounds are capable of supporting your body’s fight against inflammation and free radicals. (14)
5. Supports healthy blood sugar levels
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is important for so many reasons.
Keeping your blood sugar in check can give you more energy, help manage cravings, can aid in weight management, and help you sleep better. And ginger tea can be a secret weapon in keeping your blood sugar levels healthy. (15)
Adding a daily dose of ginger to your diet has been proven to have long-term benefits in supporting healthy blood sugar. (16)(17)
6. Supports brain health
Consuming ginger has also been linked to supporting your brain health. One study using ginger extract demonstrated supported cognitive function and enhanced working memory. (21)
How to make Ginger Tea.....
Ingredients:
4-6 thin slices raw ginger
1 1/2 - 2 cups water
juice from 1/2 lime, or to taste
1-2 tbsp honey or agave nectar, or to taste
Preparation:
Peel the ginger and slice thinly to maximize the surface area. This will help you make a very flavorful ginger tea.
Boil the ginger in water for at least 10 minutes. For a stronger and
tangier tea, allow to boil for 20 minutes or more, and use more slices
of ginger.
Remove from heat and add lime juice and honey (or agave nectar) to taste.
The secret to making a really flavorful ginger tea is to use plenty of
ginger - more than you think you will need - and also to add a bit of
lime juice and honey to your ginger tea. You will also probably want to
add more honey than you think you will need as well.
Enjoy your hot ginger tea! A homemade ginger tea is excellent in soothing stomach aches and in aiding digestion.
