According to many nutritionists, ginger is a superfood. This plant is able to improve immunity, enhance digestion, and limit and eliminate inflammation.
Ginger is rich in several essential oils that are responsible for the unique flavor and aroma of this plant. The three most important are shogaols, zingerone, and gingerols.
These essential oils have powerful antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties. In addition, ginger root supports proper digestion, cures asthma, improves immunity, relieves pain, maintains cardiovascular health, and provides many other health benefits.
The Benefits of Drinking Ginger Tea
Many people can attest that ginger is an extremely effective natural remedy for those suffering from flu, headaches, and colds. It also provides comfort in cases of sore muscles.
Since ginger contains some very rare substances, it has the ability to block pain in a natural way by stopping prostaglandins from triggering an inflammatory response in the system.
Drinking ginger tea on a regular basis will definitely strengthen the immune system. This tea is rich in antioxidants that improve immunity and help eliminate infections.
Just one cup of tea a day can significantly reduce the risk of stroke, as ginger helps dissolve fatty deposits that clog arteries.
It is good to mention that ginger also has warming properties, which means that it also improves blood circulation. When blood flow is optimized, it means that cells throughout the body get the optimal amount of oxygen, minerals, and vitamins, which ultimately leads to better overall health.
Ginger tea supports the elimination of viruses that cause cold sores, colds, and flu.
Ginger is able to eliminate ¾ of lung cancer cells in living organisms. A recent scientific study has confirmed that ginger extract is lethal to lung cancer cells. In addition, this extract contains metabolites that are even more effective. Scientists analyzed the reaction of 6-gingerol (a powerful anti-cancer compound found in ginger). Once it entered the body (cancer cells), it turned into 6-gingerol and eliminated about 75% of these lung cancer cells.
Several other studies have confirmed the great potential of ginger extracts against other types of cancer such as pancreatic, colon, breast, prostate, and leukemia, and the latest study we mentioned revealed part of the fighting mechanism of this extract. In addition, a clinical study confirmed that ginger can improve insulin sensitivity and stabilize insulin levels in diabetics. Finally, another scientific study showed that ginger can improve cognitive functions and memory in women.
How to Make Tasty Healing Ginger Tea
Ingredients
- 1 inch fresh ginger root (or 1 teaspoon ginger powder)
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tsp. sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, etc.)
Instructions
- Cut your ginger into thin slices. You don’t need to remove the outer skin, but be sure to scrub off any visible dirt or black spots. You’ll be aiming for 1-2 inches of fresh ginger root per cup of tea.
- Combine this amount of ginger with 1-2 cups of water in a saucepan (depending on whether you have a large or small mug – I use a large mug, so I usually make 2 cups).
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Simmer for about 7-10 minutes. I usually like to let it simmer a little longer to really get all the compounds out of the ginger, but if you prefer a lighter brew, you can simmer for a shorter amount of time. - Pour the tea through a fine strainer into a cup to catch the ginger. Add lemon, cinnamon, and sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, etc.).
Enjoy!