Do you love the spicy aroma and energizing taste of ginger? A warm, soothing beverage can do more than just calm your soul and relax your mind. Herbal drinks like ginger tea can act as a natural health remedy, offering countless wellness benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Ginger is a root with many potential health benefits that have long been used in many health remedies and herbal tonics.
- It's a popular ingredient in many Jamu-inspired recipes and tonics.
- Drinking ginger tea can help reduce nausea and vomiting, improve gut health, and relieve pain.
- Add ingredients like turmeric, honey, maple syrup, or a cinnamon stick to your ginger tea recipe for extra flavor.
Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger tea is simple to prepare and irresistibly delicious. If this spicy tea is not yet your favorite beverage, with the right recipe, it's bound to be.
Keep reading, and we'll let you know exactly how you can make ginger tea for better health and wellness.
See Related: What Are Botanicals And Why Should You Use Them?
What Is Ginger Used For?
Ginger has been a popular ingredient in alternative medicine and traditional wellness remedies for thousands of years.
For over 5,000 years, Indian and Chinese cultures utilized ginger as a tonic root in order to treat various health ailments. Ginger has also been an integral ingredient in many Jamu rituals and customs.
Jamu is an ancient herbal-medicine tradition originating from the lush archipelago of Indonesia. Beginning nearly 2,000 years ago, these wellness practices often incorporated the natural botanicals found on the islands.
The term Jamu often refers to the herbal tonics Indonesian women drink regularly in order to promote good health and prevent illnesses. But the term also tells a story of holistic healing, further encouraging a mindful approach to what you put into your body.
These Jamu tonics were made by the village healers or female family members. And each ingredient was carefully chosen based on a specific purpose.
Ginger in Skincare
JUARA is a wellness and skincare brand inspired by the Jamu way of life. Ginger is incorporated into many of our beauty products, from our Radiance Enzyme Scrub & Enzyme Mask to our Sweet Black Tea and Ginger Oil-Free Moisturizer.
Our skin-refining Radiance Enzyme Scrub & Enzyme Mask is crafted with a unique mix of natural ingredients like apple enzymes, clove flower, and ginger. This blend of ancient botanicals is topped off with bamboo and jojoba beads that serve to exfoliate and smooth your skin.
Don't forget to follow up with a luminous body oil to lock in the additional hydration!
Bonus: Your Step-By-Step Guide For Getting Glass Skin
Health Benefits of Ginger Tea
What is ginger good for? It's not for no reason that ginger has frequented herbal medicine and traditional health remedies for thousands of years. This spicy root carries a plethora of health benefits that can do anything from relieving morning sickness to aiding in weight loss.
The source of ginger's many wellness benefits lies in gingerol. Ginger is rich in gingerol, which is a bioactive compound that has many potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
To start with, gingerol is able to help fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, which is important in maintaining cell health. Gingerol is also behind the rich flavor and unique fragrance of ginger.
Drinking ginger root tea may help alleviate many health concerns and conditions, offering relief to those who are suffering.
#1: Drinking Ginger Tea Can Help Treat Morning Sickness and Nausea
Research has found that pregnant women who drank ginger tea had decreased nausea and vomiting. However, this study does suggest that ginger tea should be avoided for women who have a history of miscarriages or who are close to labor.
Ginger can also help with motion sickness and nausea by calming the digestive system.
#2: Ginger Can Help Improve Digestion and Gut Health
It's important to maintain excellent gut health, as this is the way your body absorbs nutrients. Your gut microbiome can affect nearly every other organ in your body, and that includes your skin.
Ginger can help manage indigestion by speeding up the journey of your food through your stomach. Whether you struggle with chronic indigestion or stomach discomfort, a hot cup of fresh ginger tea can help improve your gut health.
#3: Ginger May Offer Pain Relief
One notable study done on the pain-relieving effects of ginger showed that taking ginger powder can be as effective as taking NSAIDs for pain. Drinking hot ginger tea may also alleviate the pain of menstrual cramps.
Though more research is needed to back these claims, the right soothing ginger tea recipe can do a lot to ease simple pain and discomfort.
#4. Ginger May Be Able to Lower Blood Sugar
The antioxidant side of ginger tea is well-known. However, not as many people are familiar with the potential anti-diabetic properties.
Some studies have shown that powdered ginger or ginger supplementation can help reduce blood sugar levels. It can also help with high blood pressure and can even decrease the risk of hypertension when taken daily.
As always, be sure to consult with your physician if you have concerns or questions about ginger tea benefits.
How to Make Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is a versatile drink that can be easily altered to suit your health needs and taste buds. But making tea with ginger is as simple as pouring hot water over fresh ginger slices! It's a good idea to always have some fresh ginger tea on hand during cold and flu season or if you feel under the weather. It can also be especially soothing on a sore throat.
Here's an easy-to-follow homemade ginger tea recipe that will leave you with a steaming mug of fresh ginger root tea.
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Tip: Prepare one tablespoon of fresh ginger for every one cup of hot water. If you'd like a stronger cup, feel free to increase this to two tablespoons of fresh ginger.
- First, peel the ginger if you wish. However, there's no real need to, as you'll be straining all these parts out later.
- Then, chop your ginger into thin slices no bigger than 1/4 inch thick, or grate it for a more zesty and spicy cup.
- Place your sliced ginger into a small saucepan. Add filtered water.
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Boil your water-ginger mixture for seven to twelve minutes on high heat. The longer it simmers, the stronger your cup of fresh ginger tea will be.
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Strain your tea through a fine mesh strainer to remove large pieces.
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Add in any other optional ingredients to provide a more robust flavor and medicinal properties. Lime juice or orange peel can add some zest, while agave or honey will sweeten it.
- Enjoy!
Ginger tea often pairs well with turmeric root. In fact, combining these two healing herbs can improve your overall well-being more than you may realize. Just be sure to toss in some sliced fresh turmeric into the boiling water alongside your ginger. Store any leftover ginger properly.
You can also try to top this variation off with a pinch of black pepper.
Feel free to also incorporate the flavors of fresh lemon juice, cinnamon sticks, fresh mint, orange peel (which contains even more polyphenols than the actual orange fruit), honey, star anise, or even green tea leaves. Each of these ingredients can add more flavorful depth to your fresh ginger tea.
A cup of lemon ginger tea will add some extra vitamin C to your diet!
Ginger & Green Tea
Ginger is a great addition to classic Sencha green tea. Not only do the flavors pair perfectly together, but the ginger supports the healing properties of the tea leaves.
For the ultimate mood-boosting experience, indulge in a cup of JUARA's Soothing Island Comfort Green Tea. Crafted with a delicate blend of pineapple, turmeric, and ginger, this green tea can reinvigorate your senses and calm your mind.
For a more vibrant cup, put a few fresh ginger slices in your mug before you pour boiling water over your tea bag. Or, add honey for some honey ginger tea or a cinnamon stick for some cinnamon ginger tea.
All in all, fresh ginger tea is a better alternative to dietary supplements or processed beverages. It's easy to make, delicious, and full of nutrients!
Keep Reading: The 6 Best Vitamins & Nutrients For Healthy Skin
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Juara Skincare incorporates ancient rituals with Western skincare science, creating the ultimate beauty experience. We aim to transport you from the mundane to the extraordinary with our exotic ingredients, intoxicating scents, and powerful, skin-improving formulas. All of our products are nutrient-rich and botanically based. We are proud to be certified cruelty-free. Get the latest skin care tips and info on Juara products by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
