Ginger root is a popular ingredient often seen in Asian and Indian cooking. In fact, ginger has been used for thousands of years not only for cooking but for medicinal purposes as well. While it is a staple in many kitchens, consumers are quickly opting to jump on the ginger tea bandwagon because the ginger tea benefits seem outstanding.
However, before we jump into all the details of ginger tea benefits, let’s look at this spice in more detail.
What is Ginger Root?
While most individuals associate ginger as a dried spice, it is worth noting that ginger comes from the root of the plant otherwise known as Zingiber officinale. This flowering plant is native to Southeast Asia, although it is cultivated in the regions across the globe.
The plant itself can grow to around three feet tall and is recognized by the clusters of greenish-purple flowers. While most acknowledge ginger root as the yellow root, we find in our grocery stores; it can also come in other variations and colors—including red and white.
So, Is Ginger Tea Good for You?
Whether it be fresh ginger, organic or a store-bought blend, ginger tea is considered a good part of a daily routine.
Why is that? Because there are so many different uses of ginger tea in the culinary sense, and each one still provides individuals with a variety of nutritional benefits, such as:
- Vitamin B3 & B6
- Vitamin C
- Iron
- Phosphorus
- Zinc Magnesium
That’s only a short list of the nutritional benefits of adding ginger to your daily routine. Depending on how you decide to use it will determine what other health and nutritional benefits may be added. While drinking the tea is the more traditional method of receiving these benefits, there are many different uses of ginger tea worth noting:
- Soups
- Homemade salad dressings
- Marinades for fish and meat
- Cocktails
- Even baking desserts
Fresh Ginger Tea vs. Organic Ginger Tea: Is There Really a Difference?
When it comes down to it the fresh vs. organic topic, there is no significant difference besides the price you plan to pay. In most cases, retailers will charge you more for organic ginger root than for “fresh.”
Is organic ginger tea better for consumers? Generally, it is thought to be “better” in that it will not have been farmed in a location that uses chemical pesticides and will not go through a cleaning process that includes chemicals during the shipping process.
However, when it comes down to fresh vs. organic, consumers will still receive the same health benefits when grated up and added to their cup of tea.
3 Ginger Tea Benefits Worth Noting
Ginger tea benefits range quite a bit; however, some are more noteworthy than others. The effects of ginger tea on the body are quite astounding, so much so that consumers use it in products other than teas, such as:
- Tablets
- Capsules
- Liquid Extracts
So, what does ginger tea do? We’ve gone ahead and listed three of the more noteworthy fresh ginger tea benefits we came across while doing our research.
1. Treating Nausea
When it comes to tummy troubles, either chewing on fresh ginger or drinking a cup of ginger tea is an age-old home remedy.
The active component in ginger, gingerols, is what scientists have linked to helping treat nausea in not only motion and morning sickness but also nausea brought on by specific medical treatments for conditions like cancer.
Other studies have shown that ginger could help relieve gastrointestinal irritations (GI) leading to nausea.
While some studies have shown promising results, varying factors have lead scientists to state that more in-depth studies are needed before they can verify any conclusions.
2. Reducing Pain & Inflammation
Ginger root found in supplements and teas was linked to a reduction in both pain and inflammation throughout the body.
Many studies have suggested that ginger plays a positive role when it comes to those suffering from chronic pain and inflammation. One study showed that taking a ginger supplement did show promise to subjects who responded poorly when given more traditional pain relievers (NSAIDs) to help treat their chronic pain related to knee osteoarthritis. Many individuals not only reported a reduction in their inflamed knees but also an improvement when it came to the overall pain they felt.
3. Immune System Support
Ginger is known for the many antioxidants that it contains; another reason why many consider it to be an essential part of their daily routine. It’s these antioxidants that are believed to help strengthen a user’s immune system and even help to reduce stress.
While drinking ginger tea is still the most common method of use, besides cooking, of course, some choose to inhale the steam from their steeped ginger because it is believed to help relieve some nasal congestion, along with other respiratory issues.
How To Make Ginger Tea in 4 Easy Steps
When it comes down to learning how to make ginger tea, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, the hardest part will most likely be grating your fresh ginger.
You’ll only need three ingredients to make our fresh ginger tea, two if you don’t want to add a sweetener:
Once you have your pot of water, freshly grated ginger, and your sweetener should you choose to add one, follow these three simple steps to making your fresh ginger tea.
Boil Your Water
After your water has reached a boil, go ahead and remove it from the heat.
Add Freshly Grated Ginger
Add your freshly grated ginger before covering your pot.
Let Steep
Let your ginger steep for 10 to 15 minutes. The total time will depend on how strong you want the ginger flavor to be.
Strain & Enjoy
Once you’ve let the ginger steep in hot water, you’ll strain the ginger out.
For those who prefer the warm flavors of ginger, this is as far as you’ll need to go. Those who want to sweeten it up a bit, you’ll go ahead and add your sweetener until it tastes like perfection.
The fun doesn’t have to stop there of course. Some individuals will prefer to add other ingredients, such as lemon, to their ginger tea. What it all comes down to is a person’s flavor profile, so don’t be afraid to try different spices and herbs.
Is Ginger Good for You?
Is ginger good for you? Based on recent studies, that answer seems to be a resounding yes, although, it is important to note that even scientists state that more studies are needed.
The ginger tea benefits we talked about are only a small handful of the most noteworthy benefits we came across during our research. Other’s include possible cancer prevention, weight loss, and blood sugar control and even an improvement in blood pressure and overall heart health.
So why not give ginger root a try in your morning tea routine? And if you already do, what is your favorite way to brew a cup?
So why not give ginger root a try in your morning tea routine? And if you already do, what is your favorite way to brew a cup?
Share with us in the comments below!
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