Ginger is being regarded as a universal medicine. According to Chinese science of medicine, ginger restores yang or hot energy. The aromatic, spicy root grows best in warm, damp areas.
Ginger is common and traditional healer and tea is most common beverage across the world to relieve cold, cough, and many such health problems. Ginger tea contains a host of powerful health benefits.
Ginger contains volatile oil and phenol compounds viz.Gingerols & Shogaols which give the root its power. Ginger tea contains high levels of vitamin C, amino acids, and traces of calcium, zinc, sodium, phosphorus, etc. According to Ayrveda ginger tea contains powerful antispasmodic action
Ginger tea helps and benefits our body in the following ways:
- Helps body to soak and absorb nutrients
- Reduces stomach ache & irritable bowel syndrome
- Helps to reduce weight
- Fights cancer & Alzheimer
- Balances glucose level
- Improves circulation & digestion
- Improves production of gastric juices & enzymes
- Reduces inflammation arising from arthritis
- Relieves menstrual discomfort, stress, and stimulates appetite
Ginger Tea vs. Doshas
Ginger creates heat in the body; therefore tea made with Ginger makes it a healthful concoction for treating Vata imbalances like digestion and other such problems as ginger is supposed to improve all three steps of gastrointestinal function, i.e. digestion, absorption, and elimination.
When it is cold or during winters it is advised that you sip ginger tea all through the day. But in other seasons just a cup in the morning or ahead of meal is good enough. Ginger is known to intensify fire, i.e. Agni (which helps digestion). If you’re suffering from cough and cold, 2 to 3 cups of tea made with ginger, better still if taken before meals will stimulate slow digestion and bring your dull taste buds to life. For those who suffer from Pitta dosha should avoid drinking too much ginger tea. If you drink too much your ptta balance will imbalance which will create other health problems.
Recipe: Ginger Tea
You can make instant ginger tea as well as make concoction and store it and keep on adding warm water to it as and when you want to have it. Some people like their tea with milk, sugar and some without. Some add tea leaves and a dash of lime while some like to have it without sugar and lime, milk, etc.
Peel 2 inch piece of ginger root and cut it coarsely or grate it to make one cup of tea. Add a large cup of water, or slightly more than what you need as some will evaporate during boiling; add sugar and let it boil for 5 minutes. Let it cool and then strain it. For those who want to add sugar and tea leaves can do so when the ginger water is boiling and immediately light off the gas. let it simmer for a while, add a few drops of lemon in the cup and strain tea in the cup.
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