The Healing Powers of Ginger

[RobynG]

I've been sipping hot ginger tea several times a day for the past few months. It is very soothing and helps all sorts of malodies including insomnia, digestive problems, nausea, morning sickness, post chemo nausea, stomach flu, gas, menstrual cramps, headaches, diverticulitis, colitis, hot flushes, colds, sore throats ....the list goes on. It has been proven that it is more efficient than a leading motion sickness drug and it encourages the gall bladder to release bile.

The reason I started it was for a very sore throat. It is so delicious and left me feeling so relaxed and soothed that I continued drinking it. Now the whole family is swigging ginger chai...and demanding it every night befor bed.

This is my adaptation...

Peel fresh ginger root and slice several pieces (4-5 slices )into a mug with a vegetable peeler.
Pour hot water into the cup and let it steep for a while.
Add honey for taste (sometimes we like it sweet but often after a meal its better less sweet. Its excellent for cleansing the palate)
Then add lemon juice. If using the squeeze bottle concentrate, I use 2-3 good squeezes in each cup.
This is also delicious chilled as an iced tea which you can add a tea bag to. I've tried mine with rooibos tea which is so healthy.

We find its wonderful after a heavy meal and it definitely aids digestion. It also smells amazing!
Another use is as an anti-inflammatory, layered over inflamed area or steeped in a container of boiling water, covered for 10 mins and then adding it to your bath.

Ginger contains calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, potassium, VitA,B Complex and C, amongst other good things. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginger for more info.

[jane]

thanks for this robyn - have sent this "recipe" to my daughter who suffers a lot with digestive problems and headaches that doctors and specialists just dont seem able to help her with... she has gone off to the supermarket today to get ginger and lemon - fingers crossed! Am going to try it myself too....

[RobynG]

oh good, Jane. I hope it helps.

[Dan Goodwin]

Tried it earlier too Robyn, thanks. Going to have some ginger and lemon tea everyday... The perfect antidote to the chocolate overload from Tiffin I made yesterday : )

Oh and lemon and ginger are two of the most delicious scents in the natural world I believe, an added bonus to making this tea every day...

[RobynG]

The scent just makes you feel healthy too doesn't it Dan?

[Dan Goodwin]

Both ginger and lemon have such a freshness and vitality in their scent. Can't think of anything else so fresh. I do also love crushed mint leaves, and also rosemary... I like the smell of fresh coffee too, though I don't drink it.

[Lin Neiswender]

And don't forget the zest of fresh basil leaves! Yum!

[Lin Neiswender]

I believe in ginger too. When I was having to take light treatments with a drug that made me nauseous, I ate gingersnaps to quell the tummy upset and it worked like a charm, delicious too. And one of my favorite meals is lemon chicken, made with ginger root and lemon and green onion and of course chicken!

[RobynG]

Angostura in soda or lemonade is another wonderful thing for nausea. It was invented during the war for soldiers with Gippo guts.

[Camille]

What is angostura, Robyn?

[RobynG]

Camille, angostura bitters is a concentrate made from herbs and spices for adding to drinks and food. It is the pink in pink gin and rock shandies. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angostura_bitters

[Camille]

Thanks for the linkand the info, Robyn! Must be healthy!

[Camille]

Very scrumptious indeed, Lin!