Ginger Tea

On a cold, wintry day there is nothing like a steaming, aroma-filled cup of ginger tea to warm you up and awaken your senses. Prized for its healing properties and for adding flavor to dishes, this ordinary looking brown spice has been used since ages in eastern cultures, especially India and China. The use of ginger later spread to East Africa and the Caribbean. Ginger tea has been used as a remedy against flu and colds for centuries, both in India and China, as well as other countries in the east. According to Chinese culture, its powerful yang energy is what warms the lungs and stomach. Ginger tea has been used in China for 2,500 years to treat sore throat, nasal congestion and sinus pain. If you should sink your teeth into a fresh piece of ginger root, you will feel the sun's fire coursing through you, as some anonymous person so eloquently said.

Ginger Benefits

It's this very fiery characteristic of the ginger root that gives it much of its medicinal properties, both in its dried as well as raw form. The scientific name of ginger is Zingiber officinalis. It is known for its soothing flavor and healing properties. It reduces the healing time from a varied range of health problems. The dried ginger root is a thermogenic, expectorant, laxative, appetizer, stimulant, as well as an effective cure for stomach disorders. Hence, the dried ginger root is ground and used to cure a whole range of ailments like coughs, colds, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, inflammations of the joints, flatulence, motion sickness, colic, cholera, asthma, headaches and even anorexia. Raw ginger is also a thermogenic and is also an anti-flatulent, digestive, appetizer and a laxative.

According to research, it has been shown that ginger root reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the liver and blood, thereby lowering blood cholesterol. It has also been found that ginger blocks the effects of prostaglandin, which is a substance that is responsible for the inflammation of the blood vessels inside the brain, which is what causes migraine. The active ingredients in ginger oil are oleoresin and terpenes, which are responsible for its lymph cleansing, antiseptic, mild constipation relief and circulation-stimulating qualities.

Ginger's property of being a digestive aid is largely due to the shogoals and gingerols that it contains. These help to neutralize the acids in the stomach, stimulate the secretion of digestive juices and tone the digestive tract's muscles.

Ginger is also used extensively in aromatherapy. An essential oil is extracted from steam distilling the unpeeled, dried and ground ginger root. Ginger oil is used by combining it with the oils of cedar wood, sandalwood and patchouli, which renders a spicy and woody scent to the mix.

Ginger Root Tea Recipes

Here are a few refreshing ginger tea recipes that you can brew and sip to enjoy the unique flavor and aroma of this wonderful herb.

Plain Ginger Tea
This has an invigorating, spicy taste and is used as a home remedy against cold, sore throat, flu, nausea and indigestion.

• 4 cups of water
• 2-inch fresh ginger piece
• lemon slice and honey (optional)

First, peel and slice the ginger root. Put the water in a saucepan and bring it to boil. Add the slices of ginger into the boiling water. Reduce the heat, cover the saucepan and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the liquid out and add lemon and honey to taste.

Crushed Ice Ginger Tea
This makes a lovely refreshing tea, ideal for after a sweaty workout or on a hot summer day.

• 4 ½ cups of water
• A fresh piece of ginger, thinly sliced
• Sugar syrup
• Slices of lemon
• Some crushed ice

Put the water in a saucepan and bring it to boil. Add the sliced ginger and turn off the heat and let the ginger tea steep for about 15 minutes. Strain out the ginger and refrigerate the decoction until it is cold. Remove and sweeten with sugar syrup, then pour it into tall glasses which have crushed ice in them and garnish with lemon slices.

Lemongrass Flavored Ginger Tea
This feels wonderful if you drink it hot when you feel the flu or a cold coming on. It can be served either hot or chilled. It is especially comforting when traveling by car, boat, or airplane, since it alleviates feelings of nausea.

• 4 cups of water
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root
• 1 stalk lemongrass, sliced lengthwise
• 2 teaspoons of herbal tea
• 1 lemon
• honey

Bring the water to boil then reduce the heat and add the grated ginger and lemongrass. Let it simmer for ten minutes or so. Turning off the heat add two teaspoons of herbal tea (any of your favorite). Strain the tea and add honey to sweeten and lemon for extra flavor.

Spicy Ginger Tea
If you are bored with the same old cappuccino or café au lait, try this. Not only is it a yummy alternative, but is lower in calories and fat too.

• 4 cups of water
• 4-5 slices of fresh ginger
• A few strips of orange peel
• 4 pods of cardamom
• 4 cloves
• 2 cups of milk, low-fat
• 4 teaspoons of tea leaves (Assam)
• Brown sugar (according to taste)

Put the water, cardamom, ginger slices, orange peel and cloves in a saucepan, bring to boil, then cover and simmer for about ten minutes. Add the tea leaves and milk and simmer for another two minutes. Turning off the heat, allow it to steep for about 4-5 minutes, or according to how strong you want it. Strain the tea and add sugar according to taste. Serve hot.

Note:

• You can also make ginger tea by adding a drop of ginger essential oil to one cup of hot water.
• It is not advisable to take aspirin within two hours of drinking ginger tea since both are blood thinners.
• The consumption of too much ginger tea may cause heartburn.

Ginger root tea should be consumed warm itself, unless you are drinking cold ginger tea, to derive better benefits. People suffering from heartburn should not use ginger in large quantities to make the tea, for it can aggravate the condition. If the tea is spicy for your taste, then the quantity of honey in the tea can be increased.