Ginger and ginger tea has been used by many cultures through time to fight off colds and the flu, as well as a cooking spice.
Southern China, where ginger originated, spread to most of the world by the middle ages and is commonly brewed as an herbal tea. Did you know that in Victorian times ginger was as common a shaker as salt and pepper?
At adagio.com, one of my favorite online tea stores, they combine ginger with Ceylon black tea which results in a fresh and rich tasting brew!
Ginger which is commonly referred to as a root, has 3% essential oil which causes that sweet and spicy fragrance. The roots may be boiled to make ginger herbal tea, or shaved and combined with other teas as mentioned above.
Benefits of Ginger Tea
Some folks drink ginger ale when the stomach is a bit out of whack. The carbonated water with the ginger ingredient helps settle the stomach. So what are the benefits of drinking pure ginger herbal tea?
Danish researchers found that ginger tea can help folks with arthritis. The tea can help stop the inflammation of blood vessels that usually attributes to arthritis symptoms.
This herbal tea has shown evidence that it can abate the onset of migraines. As stated above, it does this by decreasing inflammation of blood vessels in the brain by inhibiting the effects of prostaglandins, which are substances that cause such inflammation.
One study done at Cornell University Medical College showed that ginger has similar effects as aspirin does on blood clots.
And as stated above, drinking ginger tea, like drinking spearmint and peppermint tea, can help aid in ones digestion and absorption of food.
Aside from medical benefits, ginger is a good palate cleanser, and is a popular ingredient in seasonal desserts.
Brewing ginger herbal tea is simple and is usually done by slicing three or four pieces of root into a pot and letting it steep in slow boiling water for about 15 minutes.
Some online stores may also carry loose ginger as well. I will post that below once I find a reputable place for my readers.
