Good ginger tea can be a refreshing and revitalizing alternative to caffeine-containing drinks. However, moderation is the keyword. You should not drink more than one or two cups of ginger tea per day. Daily consumption of 4 g of ginger or less than two tablespoons is considered ideal. Ginger tea has various health benefits:
- Fights germs and prevents infection: Chemical compounds of ginger help keep the germs at bay. They kill harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Shigella and ward off viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; a type of virus that causes lung infections).
- Keeps your mouth germ-free: The active compound gingerol in ginger prevents the growth of oral bacteria. These oral bacteria can cause problems such as bad breath and gum infections.
- Relieves nausea: The active compounds in ginger can help relieve nausea caused by pregnancy, chemotherapy, or surgery. Studies have reported that ginger can be an alternative to traditional anti-nausea drugs, especially in women who can’t tolerate them.
- Promotes heart health and reduces blood pressure: Ginger consumption protects the heart from diseases. The components of ginger may also help to
- Reduce blood pressure.
- Prevent heart attacks.
- Prevent blood clots.
- Relieve heartburn or acidity.
- Reduce cholesterol.
- Increase blood circulation.
- Soothes sore muscles: Ginger won’t heal muscle pain completely but may pacify soreness over time. People who generally take ginger have less pain the next day.
- Calms arthritis symptoms: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and pain. Thus, consuming ginger may also help treat the symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Ginger tea also provides the following health benefits:
- Lowers blood sugar
- Restricts cancer growth
- Eases menstrual cramps
- Protects against infections
- Relieves indigestion
Although ginger has various benefits, it is better to consume ginger in moderation to avoid its side effects such as:
- Bloating
- Concerns during pregnancy
- Complications with blood thinners
Always let your doctor know if you are taking ginger root tea.
How to make ginger root tea?
You can prepare ginger root tea using the following ingredients:
- One tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger root or one teaspoon ground ginger
- Two cups water
- Two tea bags (black tea)
- Two cups low-fat milk (milk can be avoided)
- Two tablespoons honey
- Two tablespoons orange zest for garnish (optional)
You can prepare ginger root tea by following these steps:
- Wash and scrub the ginger root.
- Peel the ginger and slice thinly.
- Fill a pot with two cups of water.
- Add the teabag and ginger slices to the water.
- Boil it for 10 minutes.
- Now, add two cups of milk and honey. Reduce to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle some orange zests if necessary.