Zingiber  officinale

Family:  Zingiberaceae

Part used:  Rhizomes

Energetics:  Pungent, sweet, warming

Actions:  Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,  carminative, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic,  expectorant,  nootropic

Ginger  is  all  kinds  of  wonderful  as  a  circulatory  herb  and  heart tonic.  It’s  good  for  helping  increase  peripheral  circulation and  studies  are  showing  that  ginger  can  lower  triglycerides and  blood  sugar  levels.  Ginger  is  great  for  nausea, bloating,  gas,  circulation,  sore  throats,  pain  relief  and  so much  more.  I  use  fresh  ginger  liberally  as  a  food  and  add  it to  veggies,  dressings,  sauces,  baked  goods,  soups  and  just about  everything  that  pairs  well  with  its  flavor.  It  makes  a delicious  tea  and  infuses  well  in  honey,  vinegar  and  alcohol. I  also  like  to  make  a  warming  circulatory  oil  for  topical  use. (see page xx).

Contraindications:  None known.

Now let’s get into this recipe !

How to Make Ginger Tea

I tried several ginger tea methods, and the easiest way is truly the best way. Here’s how to do it:

1. Thinly slice your fresh ginger. You don’t need to peel it first, but do rinse it and scrub off any visible dirt. Plan on about using about a one-inch piece of ginger per cup of tea.
2. In a saucepan, combine the ginger with fresh water (use one cup of water per serving).
3. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
4. Add in bee pollen, clove and some star anise for more benefits (plus flavorrr)…really anything you like. This time we added some cinnamon and lemon !
5. Simmer for five minutes (or up to 10 minutes, if you want extra-strong tea). I usually think it’s pungent enough at five minutes.
6. Pour the tea through a fine sieve to catch all of the ginger. If desired, serve your tea with a thin round of lemon or orange for some complementary acidity. You might also appreciate a light drizzle of honey or maple syrup, which will temper the fiery ginger flavor.
7. Enjoy and tag us in your videos @herbalbaeapothecary on IG 💚