The time-honored ginger root is experiencing a furious renaissance. For a modern, nature-loving lifestyle, ginger tea in particular is considered the universal alternative to denatured nutrition and health care. The concentrated load of valuable ingredients has been proven to promote well-being. Even with minor health problems, such as colds or travel sickness, ginger water does a good job. Properly prepared, the tea scares away tiredness and awakens the spirit of life. The list of beneficial aspects is long. With the following background knowledge about the effects, combined with instructions on how to prepare it, the full potential of ginger tea will no longer remain hidden from you.
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Healing natural remedy without side effects
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the healing properties of ginger tea have been manifested for thousands of years. In Germany, on the other hand, ginger was only used as a kitchen spice for a long time. The miracle root was only included in the German Pharmacopoeia at the beginning of the new millennium, initially with regard to the positive influence on nausea and digestive problems. Since then, research and research has been concentrated, so that more and more health benefits are becoming apparent. In the meantime, even the scientific expert commission of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices supports the enjoyment of ginger tea as a natural remedy without harmful side effects.
The most important ingredients at a glance (on average per 100 grams of ginger root):
- 6000 mg Vitamin C
- 60 mg vitamin B1, the mood vitamin
- 600 mg vitamin B3, niacin for metabolism
- Minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium: 1.2%
- Essential oils: 0.6 to 3.0%
A high proportion of gingerol is responsible for the sharp taste. With around 60,000 Scoville units, this component even leaves Tabasco far behind, a type of chili with around 2,500 Scoville units. Of course, these measured values relate to the isolated consideration of the ginger rhizome. As part of the preparation, ginger tea enthusiasts have discovered a wealth of sophisticated variants that transform the hot drink into a pleasant experience.
Preventive and curative for colds
In wet and cold weather, the essential oils in combination with gingerol in ginger tea unfold their warming, stabilizing effect particularly well. The immune system is strengthened and cold viruses have a harder time. Where they struck anyway, ginger tea at least alleviates the unpleasant symptoms and helps to speed up the healing process. The active ingredients stimulate blood circulation, so that chills are alleviated and the extremities quickly warm up again.
Bloating and nausea disappear
It strikes unexpectedly, even in perfectly healthy people. Nausea lurks in numerous corners and niches of everyday life:
- after a rich meal
- to travel
- at high levels of stress
- in the roller coaster
- after a night of drinking
A hot cup of ginger tea will reduce the urge to vomit or drive it away completely. As scientific studies have shown, the valuable ingredients even have a preventative effect. Before you get into the car, bus or plane, treat yourself to a cup and bravely face any discomfort that may arise. It is important to note that ginger tea does not have a positive effect on serious illnesses such as a gastrointestinal infection
Digestive problems subside
A regulating effect on digestion could be demonstrated, particularly with the active ingredient gingerol. If this important bodily function is impaired, ginger tea reduces flatulence. At the same time, it brings the body back into balance in the event of diarrhea or constipation. At the same time, the organism experiences a natural detoxification, provided you drink a sufficient amount of the drink. Incidentally, in combination with fennel, anise and caraway, you brew a super tea that balances the entire abdominal area.
diet support
The pounds tumble off faster with ginger tea. This fact is particularly due to the fact that the optimized blood flow in the body increases calorie consumption. In addition, the tea ensures the necessary supply of liquid and causes a feeling of satiety. Of course, it must not be turned into a calorie bomb with sugar through the back door. The detoxifying effect is also not to be scoffed at. Of course, ginger tea does not unfold its beneficial effect as part of a diet as an isolated measure. Only in combination with an appropriate diet and a lot of exercise does the potion make the desired contribution.
Coughing subsides
If you don’t like the very sharp taste of ginger tea, you can use it for natural inhalation if you have a cough. In this case, the essential oils come to the fore with an antispasmodic result. A towel pulled over the head intensifies the soothing effect on the tormented throat and strained bronchi. You should repeat this process several times a day. If you bring yourself to drink a cup of ginger tea at the same time, the beneficial effect is doubled.
preparation
The classic method – preparing ginger tea
Preparing ginger tea does not require much effort. Ready-made tea bags are offered commercially. In contrast, making it yourself has the advantage that you determine the dosage yourself. The following ingredients and tools are required:
- 1 fresh ginger root
- sharp kitchen knife
- kitchen grater
- Bowl
- feinmaschiges Teesieb
- 250 ml boiling hot water
Cut a thumb-sized piece off the ginger root. Unless it is an organic rhizome, use the knife to remove the skin. The piece of ginger is then processed into a fine mush on the grater. The fibers that remain are discarded. Put the grated ginger in a bowl and pour boiling hot water over it. After the tea has steeped for 10 to 20 minutes, strain it to enjoy it as fresh as possible.
If you don’t have a grater handy, cut 5 to 6 very thin slices from the peeled ginger. The knife is guided parallel to the grain. Process the slices further into thin sticks or small cubes. The further preparation is the same as with grated ginger.
Interesting variations
Invigorating ginger tea
If you would like to give the tea a stimulating note, prepare the root first, as with the classic version. Now add a teaspoon of black tea to the ginger. The amount of water required increases to 300 ml, or a large cup. Do not steep the mixture for more than 3 minutes before straining the drink. Black tea has the property that a stimulating effect unfolds within 3 minutes, which turns into a calming effect after 4 minutes. Instead of sugar, sweeten with a little honey or stevia.
Refreshing summer ginger tea
When the temperatures rise, the desire for healthy refreshment grows. Ginger tea can also serve this purpose by combining it with some mint sticks or lemon balm from your herb garden. Peppermint tea in a bag also does the job if necessary. Sweetened to taste. Optionally, enjoy the hot tea blend or allow to cool and add a few ice cubes.
Cold tea
The first step is to peel a piece of ginger and cut it into small pieces. Add 5 grams of licorice root, 4 crushed peppercorns and 10 to 12 chopped basil leaves. If you don’t have any liquorice in the house, cloves serve as an adequate substitute. Pour 3 cups of boiling hot water over this mix. After 10 minutes, the beneficial cold blocker is ready for use.
Apple juice and ginger spritzer with lemon balm Would
you like to convince your children of the great properties of ginger? As is well known, arguments won’t get you very far. Simply transform ginger tea into a delicious cold drink that tops any cola. A quarter liter of cold ginger tea, apple juice and mineral water are mixed together. Place a fresh sprig of lemon balm and a colorful straw in each glass.
Mango-Ginger-Lassi
Surprise your guests with an aromatic lassi, the trendy yoghurt drink from India. Ingredients for 2 servings:
- 500 grams plain yoghurt
- 1 ripe mango
- 200ml buttermilk
- 1/4 l cooled ginger tea
- liquid sweetener or stevia
- ice cubes
Prepare the ginger tea according to the classic recipe and set aside to cool. Meanwhile, peel the mango and cut into small pieces. Then all the ingredients – except for the ice cubes – go into the blender. If necessary, sweeten the lassi a little more before adding the ice cubes.
Ginger tea vs. ginger water
At first glance, it seems that ginger water is just another name for ginger tea. On closer inspection, however, there are some divergences – not serious, but worth a brief explanation.
- Ginger water contains only ginger as an ingredient
- In ginger tea, other herbs and spices are added
- Ginger water is drunk cold or warm
- Ginger tea is usually served hot
Both variants are on the same level of effectiveness when it comes to the described efficiency of the specific components of a ginger root. Ginger water scores in this regard with a clearly defined composition that entails uncomplicated dosing. If you add other ingredients to ginger tea, it requires more attention because they come with an individual spectrum of effects.
A generally valid definition does not yet exist and is not to be expected. So it is not uncommon in everyday language for both terms to be mixed up.
Conclusion
Ginger tea should always be available in every health-conscious household. Thanks to the many valuable ingredients, this tea is considered a real powerhouse for supporting a stable organism. Nausea is alleviated, colds are more bearable, the urge to cough is reduced and digestion is regulated. The hardships of dieting make a good cup of ginger tea more bearable. In general, the natural remedy and luxury food increases the overall well-being, which of course lifts the spirits and activates the zest for life. The preparation is ideally done with fresh ginger root from your own garden. By combining it with other ingredients, such as black tea, mint sticks or basil, ginger tea is transformed into a super tea that quickly eliminates minor ailments.
