Ginger infusion, an excellent natural remedy
The ginger rhizome: superfood
Ginger is a superfood par excellence, as it has both nourished and healed for millennia. Its use dates back more than 5,000 years, in both traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda).
Ginger is used to stay healthy and ward off fatigue, as it is one of the foods highest in antioxidants, an excellent anti-inflammatory, and a good source of vitamins and trace elements.
This root is also a “natural remedy” to fight fever, colds and chills, as well as nausea and vomiting. It is a good ally against digestive problems, and a natural fat burner to help lose weight.
How to consume ginger?
Ginger can be eaten fresh or dried, as a root or powder. It can easily be incorporated into cooking as a spice to give dishes an Asian touch. But some people will prefer to consume it as a dietary supplement (capsules or vials).
If you enjoy the spicy, warm notes of ginger, it would be a shame to miss out! One of the best ways to consume ginger is as an infusion.
Ginger is not cultivated (or only very rarely) in our latitudes. The ginger found on our market stalls generally comes from China or India, the world’s largest producers of ginger. It is preferable to buy organic ginger to avoid pesticide residues that are harmful to our health.
Ginger, a remedy known for centuries
Traditional Chinese physicians prescribed ginger as a tea or to chew to treat fever, colds, stop coughing and treat food poisoning. In the West, ginger has also been known for its medicinal properties for centuries. In the 12th century, the famous naturopath Hildegard of Bingen already wrote: «If you are dry and already very weakened, grind ginger into powder and take it in a drink. This will improve your condition».”]}]}]}
In Ayurvedic medicine as well, ginger is one of the basic spices for making herbal teas. It is one of the main ingredients of the famous masala spice blend in India.
If the ginger juice is ideal for very hot weather because it refreshes as much as it invigorates, the ginger infusion is perfect for the cold. It warms the body’s internal temperature.
How to prepare ginger infusion?
Fresh or dried ginger for an infusion?
You can prepare a ginger infusion with the fresh root (or rhizome) or with ground ginger. Here’s how to proceed.
If you use the fresh ginger root, for one liter of tea, use about 5 cm of root, which you grate or finely chop. To get the maximum benefits from the plant, it’s best to make a ginger decoction rather than an infusion, which is better suited to root plants.
So heat a liter of water in a saucepan, add the grated ginger and continue to simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let infuse (and cool) for 15 minutes.
You can also use ground ginger to make a tea, with 2 teaspoons of powder for one liter of water. In both cases, strain before drinking hot, warm, or cold. The powdered ginger tea will be less pungent than the one made with fresh ginger. In short, it all depends on personal taste and preferences, but also on one’s state of health.
When and how to consume ginger infusion?
The ginger infusion can be consumed at any time of the day. However, you should not drink more than 4 cups per day to avoid the undesirable side effects. Indeed, consuming ginger in too large quantities can lead to digestive disorders (heartburn, mild diarrhea).
It is also recommended to avoid drinking ginger tea in the evening because its anti-fatigue effect can cause mild insomnia.
In case of a bout of fatigue and a general drop in energy, ginger infusion is ideal. The “warming” effect of ginger and its anti-fatigue action, as well as its effectiveness on blood circulation, have earned ginger a reputation as an aphrodisiac. Although no scientific study has confirmed this effectiveness, it may still be worth trying in case of reduced libido!
Ginger infusion is also recommended in cases of nausea and vomiting, whether caused by motion sickness, pregnancy, or a postoperative state. In such cases, it is preferable to consume ginger tea in small quantities to avoid regurgitation, several times throughout the day or at the first signs of nausea.
In cases of digestive problems and for people who want to lose weight, ginger is a good ally. In that case, people drink a large cup of herbal tea before each meal. The infusion will not only help you digest better, but also regulate appetite and eliminate fat. Indeed, ginger’s richness in manganese makes it a good fat-burner because it helps the body synthesize lipids and carbohydrates.
Finally, ginger infusion is effective against all winter ailments: mild throat infections and flu, fever, the common cold, sore throats… Consume the infusion at the first symptoms (runny nose, cough…) and do so for no more than two weeks.
Enhance your ginger tea
To maximize the effect of ginger or for pleasure, you can add honey and lemon after the root has infused. They not only help soften the ginger’s spiciness but also have well-known antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
You can also buy commercially or make yourself energizing ginger-based herbal teas, by adding for example turmeric or cinnamon. You can draw inspiration from Ayurvedic recipes to make your ginger teas at home with fresh spices: try, for example, the spice blend of the famous Indian masala chai, with ginger, cardamom, star anise, pepper, cinnamon and cloves. It’s delicious!
