Lemon Ginger Tea

Ginger is probably one of the top 10 most powerful therapeutic spices. It’s used extensively in Ayurveda for its digestive benefits, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-inflammatory effects. I give this ginger tea to my kids any time they are feeling under the weather or their tummies are “off.” This tea is helpful to fight against common kids’ viruses like RSV, and some studies show ginger may also help combat bacterial infections. Ginger is also effective for treating nausea from any etiology—seasickness, chemotherapy, morning sickness during pregnancy, or postoperative nausea. Even if you don’t have an ailment, this tea is simply delicious and will warm your tummy with “happy.”

Ingredients:

2 c filtered water

1 tbsp fresh gingerroot, skin removed and roughly chopped

1 ⁄ 2 lemon, juiced

1 ⁄ 4 tsp lemon zest (from an organic lemon)

1 ⁄ 2 tsp raw Manuka honey, or local raw honey

Directions:

1. In a small covered saucepan, add water and chopped ginger. Over medium-high heat bring to a boil. Once water boils, turn off heat and let mixture steep, covered, for 10–15 minutes.

2. Pour ginger water into mug through a hand strainer. Squeeze lemon juice and zest into ginger water. Sweeten with 1 ⁄ 2–1 tsp honey as desired. Make sure the water temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is to hot, it will kill the antimicrobial properties of the honey.

3. Grab a blanket, snuggle, and sip this soothing beverage.

Variations:

You can add any herbal tea to the water as it steeps with ginger. I occasionally will add chamomile, dandelion root, or lemon balm tea to the mixture. You can also add healing spices like turmeric or cinnamon for an added health boost.

Ayurvedic Immunity Spice Mix

This healing spice blend comes from the book The Answer to Cancer by Dr Hari Sharma who is a physician and Ayurveda practitioner at Ohio State University Integrative Medicine. I’ve been making this spice mix for years to strengthen my family’s immunity to colds, flu, and all kinds of other imbalances. If you take this combination of spices regularly with each main meal of the day, you’ll boost your immune system and enhance your digestion. Each spice contained in this powerful immunity blend has been well studied for its anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial potential as well as its anti-inflammatory properties.  

Ingredients:

6 parts turmeric

3 parts ground cumin

3 parts ground coriander

6 parts group fennel

1 part powdered dry ginger

1 part ground black pepper

1/4 part ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Mix the spices together well. (Store them in an airtight container in a cool place away from direct sunlight.)

2. Heat one teaspoon of the spice mixture in one tablespoon of ghee, using medium to medium-high heat, until the mixture releases an aroma. Remove from the heat immediately so it won’t burn.

3. Put this spiced ghee on vegetables, soups, cooked grains, beans, meats or any other foods.

Winter Elderberry Tea

Cold and flu season is upon us! What are we to do? One of my favorite natural healers in my medicine cabinet is black elderberry. This dark nutritious berry has been used for centuries to treat colds and congestion and several studies in humans have shown that black elderberries can reduce the severity of influenza. In fact, 4 years ago, the National Institute of Health studied several natural products and found that black elderberry had strong antiviral effects against the flu, as well as respiratory bacterial pathogens.

Today I want to share my recipe for black elderberry tea that I make for my whole family whenever the first signs of illness creep in. Last week, I felt a head cold coming on and I quickly brewed up a large batch of this warming tea that I drank over the course of 3 days. All of the ingredients in this tea are purposeful and super powerful. Ginger’s benefits go far and wide such as reducing inflammation, aiding in digestion, and assisting with cold and flu relief. Its active volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds are what give ginger its power. The lemon and honey of course add flavor, but also provide additional benefits like vitamin C and antibacterial properties.

I hope you give this recipe a try. Grab a blanket, a nice soft pillow, and a cup of this soothing tea. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Ingredients:

3 cups filtered water

2 Tablespoons dried black elderberries

.3-.5 ounces chopped fresh ginger (skin removed)

1-2 small lemon

1-2 teaspoon Manuka honey

Directions:

Simmer 2 Tbsp elderberries and chopped ginger in 3 cups of water in a covered saucepan for 15 minutes. Remove from burner and let steep covered for 10 minutes more. Pour warm tea through a small strainer into mug. Squeeze lemon juice from 1 small lemon into mug along with honey to taste. Makes about 2 cups. Enjoy! Yum

Variations: Add cinnamon for added flavor and health benefit. You can also steep a variety of different tea bags in the elderberry liquid such as camomile, lemon balm or rooibos.

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4032839/

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/