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Ginger is made from the root of a flowering plant. It has a sharp, bold flavor and is the staple of many cuisines. Ginger is fragrant, fiery, and soothing at the same time. This makes it perfect for an afternoon cup of tea.
Ginger tea, Ginger water, and ginger juice can be purchased, ready-made, at a supermarket, but you can easily make it at home, according to MedicalNewsToday. All you need is fresh ginger root, a grater and a strainer. Just boil the root and then let steep in hot water, strain and serve.
The first step is to peel and grate a ginger root. Put the root in a pot of water and let it boil. Turn the flame off and steep the root in the hot water for five to ten minutes. Afterwards, use a strainer to remove any solid pieces of ginger from the ginger water.
Health Benefits of Ginger Tea
Ginger can do much more than just spice up a meal or a cup of tea. Used for centuries as a medicinal herb, this root may also provide health benefits ranging from boosting pain and nausea relief to reducing blood sugar levels. Here are five benefits to drinking ginger tea.
Helps With Pain relief
Consuming ginger may aid in pain relief. A 2019 study that followed 60 migraine sufferers. The study found that the participants who took ginger alongside analgesics had less pain than those who only took the pain-relief medication.
Although it’s unknown how ginger may dampen pain, EatingWell suggests that it may be related to the fact that ginger acts as an antioxidant. Emily Bright, the founder of Real Good Nutrition told EatingWell, that “ginger has been shown to be effective for reducing pain from menstrual cramping, especially when taken for the first few days of the menstrual phase,”
Anti- Nausea Properties
Ginger has also been used traditionally to help with nausea during pregnancy. A study confirmed that ginger tea is safe to drink during pregnancy, making it a viable option for mothers suffering from morning sickness (although it’s always recommended to speak to one’s doctor before starting a supplement during pregnancy).
Ginger is also used today to help nausea following surgery, chemotherapy and could help with motion sickness. Elana Ivanina, an integrative gastroenterologist, tells EatingWell that ginger’s anti-nausea effects may result from the 6-gingerol compound found in the root, that can block gut receptors. Additionally, ginger can speed up digestion, which may aid in controlling nausea.
A 2015 review of studies, published in Current Opinion Support Palliative Care, looked at nine separate studies demonstrating a link between ginger and nausea relief after surgery, during pregnancy, or when undergoing chemotherapy. The review found a plausible link between consuming gingerroot and nausea relief.
Good for heart health
Drinking ginger tea can help with cardiovascular health, according to Healthline. That’s because ginger has proven benefits in lowering blood pressure and preventing heart attacks. Ginger can also help to reduce cholesterol levels and has been used in traditional Chinese Medicine for treating cardiovascular disease.
Contains anti-inflammatory properties
People have been using ginger medicinally for centuries to decrease inflammation and this has now been backed up by science. That’s because plant-compounds in ginger called 6-shogaol, zingerone and 8-shogao help to reduce inflammatory markers in autoimmune diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and IBS. These compounds may also help people help prevent some cancers
May protect your brain
Drinking ginger tea may also help protect your brain from cognitive decline.That’s because the same properties that help reduce inflammation are also antioxidants that help protect your cells from oxidative stress. Inflammation and oxidative stress are two factors that lay a role in degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.
The risks of using ginger
However, people who drink ginger tea or cook with the spice should be aware that ginger is also associated with some negative side effects. MedicalNewsToday cautions that ginger can interfere with blood-thinning medications. The antiplatelet properties of ginger may also increase the risk of bleeding if it is used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Especially for people who have a chronic illness, like diabetes, or who are on blood-thinners, it’s worthwhile to speak to a doctor before starting to supplement with ginger tea. Additionally, EatingWell shares that the FDA recommends keeping ginger intake to less than four grams a day (the average cup of ginger tea only has about one to two grams of ginger in it).
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