Ginger Tea for Nausea

Ginger is an integral part of the Asian cuisine. It is used as a spice in most of the Indian curries. The root is grated and mixed in curry pastes and pickles. Apart from this, ginger is also one of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine. It is used to cure cold and cough. Being a natural antiviral herb, ginger contains a lot of sesquiterpenes that kill the cold viruses in our body. Drinking ginger tea due to morning sickness, hangover or pregnancy also drives away a general feeling of discomfort. As ginger acts on the digestive tract, it neutralizes the acid level in our stomach, thereby curing nausea.

How To Make Ginger Tea
Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• 2 teaspoons tea powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
• 4 cups water

Procedure
Add 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger to 4 cups boiling water and simmer for about 5 minutes. Now add 2 teaspoons of tea powder. Strain the tea after a few minutes and mix 1 teaspoon sugar or honey to the strained tea. Add 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional) and serve hot. Add some cloves, cardamom or lemon grass if you wish to make the tea stronger. For a sour taste, you could add some orange peel strips.

Benefits of Drinking Ginger Tea

• Drinking fresh tea enhances the secretion of saliva in our body. Hence a fresh ginger tea is recommended for curing nausea due to morning sickness.
• If you are feeling nauseated due to hangover then drink a cup of this tea. This will enhance the functions of your liver and neutralize the acidity in your stomach, thereby curing nausea.
• Nausea or morning sickness is common in pregnant woman. Consuming ginger tea can help in this state. It neutralizes the digestive juices in the stomach, thereby reducing nausea. But, drinking it excessively can be harmful for you and your baby. Hence it is always safe to consult your gynecologist before sipping a cup of this tea.
• It is believed to be of help in getting rid of the nausea that develops for a certain period of time on undergoing a surgery. To prevent postoperative nausea, take the tea for about 8 days before the surgery. Discontinue consuming it, 2 days prior to the hospitalization. This will maintain the acid levels in your stomach and prevent postoperative nausea. It's advisable to consult a doctor before you decide to have this tea after surgery.

Side Effects of Ginger Tea
As we already know, one can feel nauseated due to various reasons. Pregnancy, morning sickness and hangover are some of them. The ginger in ginger tea is the remedy for any form can cure nausea, but it is a very strong herb and hence needs to be taken in small dosages or in its mild form. Though its side effects are very rare, drinking it excessively can cause certain undesirable effects on the body. It is mild and hence, can be consumed everyday. But do not have ginger tea more than 2 times a day, as it might lead to heartburn. Also, drinking it before going to bed can affect your sleep. It is safe to consult your doctor before having a cup of ginger tea if you have blood disorders. The tea is not congenial with any analgesic and hence may interfere with the function of blood platelets. The presence of an anesthetic along with ginger tea in your body, or administering anesthesia to a patient who has consumed this tea excessively, may lead to internal bleeding during the operation. Hence ask your doctor before having it on the day of your surgery. Moreover, do not drink it if you have gallstones, it can increase secretion of bile inside the liver.

So, have ginger tea when going through morning sickness, hangover, pregnancy or any other reason; but do not have it in excess. Drinking it twice a day is one of the best cures for nausea. So, the next time you feel nauseated, go, sip this gingery beverage!