Ginger tea benefits

Ginger tea can be very beneficial and help with symptoms of many illnesses. This tea has been used by the Chinese for more than two millennia to cure flu and cold symptoms.

Ginger tea is made from ginger root, which is technically not a root but an underground stem or rhizome. The longer is stays in the ground, the hotter and spicier it will be and its beneficial properties will be more powerful.

Ginger tea benefits

This tea has been used for a long time in the East, especially in China and in India. The Chinese believe it has yang energy and that it warms up the lungs and the stomach. It is used to treat sore throat, nasal congestion, blocked sinuses, chills, and other symptoms of common cold and flu.

Ginger tea is also used to treat nausea and queasy stomach due to motion sickness. It is recommended to drink a small cup of this tea before going on a trip to avoid problems with motions sickness.

One scientific study has found that ginger tea is more efficient than anti-vomiting drugs for curing morning sickness and vomiting during pregnancy. In addition, ginger tea is all-natural and it is safe for pregnant women, unlike some anti-vomiting medications that can have adverse side-effects.

Ginger tea has antifungal properties, which is why it can be used to treat athlete’s foot and other fungal infections. The feet are supposed to be soaked in lukewarm ginger tea for 15 minutes a day for best results.

In addition, ginger tea soothes sore throat, relieves nasal congestion, helps with allergies, reduces flatulence and bloating, relieves menstrual cramps, regulates blood sugar, reduces excessive sweating, increases libido and freshens the breath.

Preparing ginger tea

The basic recipe for ginger tea requires fresh, mature ginger root, washed, peeled and sliced thinly and one cup of boiling water for three quarter teaspoon of ginger. The mixture should be covered and left to steep for about five minutes, and then strained.

This recipe can be combined with other ingredients to improve its taste or to increase its health benefits. For example, a remedy for sore throat combines basic ginger tea with some honey and lemon.

A delicious iced ginger tea can be made with the basic tea and some sugar syrup, lemon slices and crushed ice. Lemongrass is an excellent addition to ginger tea and it helps with flu and cold symptoms, as well as with motion sickness. For this tea, one stalk of lemongrass is cut lengthwise and steeped together with sliced ginger root. Herbal tea can be added after the ginger and the lemongrass have steamed enough.

A spicy ginger tea combines ginger, orange peel, cardamom, cloves, tea leaves, milk and sugar. It is an excellent wintertime beverage that restores energy and heat in the body.