Friday, September 30, 2011

Ginger Root Tea

 Dear friends,
 Fall is here at last and so is cold season! I want to share a little recipe with you all to get you through cold and flu season.

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Last year I was coming down with several colds in a row. I was tired of taking a ton of over the counter medicine and yet my colds were never  getting better. 

My Mom's friend, Kelly, gave me this recipe that she swore by!  I have been using ginger root tea to ward off colds ever since! I call it my miracle cure, my father~in~law calls it my witches brew. Either way it works!

Ginger is strong and spicy but it's also very calming and soothing. It's not for everyone but I find the aroma just lovely!


~*~

Ginger Root Tea ~

2 inch Fresh Ginger Root

4 Cups of Water

Lemon and Honey to taste

* I have also started adding Green Tea for a stronger flavor ~ Other than loose leaf Green Tea, Salada Green Tea is by far my favorite and I always have it on hand.


First wash the ginger root, cut your two inch piece and then peel the outer covering. Peeling is not necessary if washed properly but I always do. 
Next cut the 2 inch piece into smaller slices, preferably so that pieces of the root are actually sticking out.  


There are many ways to make this tea but I add four cups of water to a medium saucepan


I add the cut up ginger and place the water on medium to high heat


Let the water come to a fast boil 


and then let it simmer on low for about 15 to 20 minutes


Strain the tea 

I add a bag of green tea  just to make it a little more flavorful. I figure green tea is good for you as well so I'm not taking anything away from the healthful properties but just adding to it!


Lastly, I add lemon and honey. This honey is real honey, it's not the stuff you buy in the stores that has been boiled down so that there are no longer any healthy properties left in it. This honey is delicious and does not taste the same as store bought honey. My husband never liked honey until he tried the good stuff!

I buy raw honey from my local farmers market or produce stands in the summer and from health food stores or select locally owned stores that carry it year round in the fall and winter. 

The honey seems to really coat the throat and I wouldn't drink this tea without it. 

When taking ginger root to ward off colds adding sugar for a sweetener is not recommended.

Ginger root can also be good for the flu, indigestion and nausea. 
When your mother gave you Ginger Ale (or in my case Vernors) as a child when you had the flu or an upset stomach, now you know why it always seemed to work so well ! 

Ginger root is also said to be used as a circulatory remedy, it helps high blood pressure, colic, boosts the immune system, and helps reduce body temperature in high fevers.

I hope this recipe truly helps many this cold and flu season!
 Since taking it I no longer take any cold medicine. I am not an expert, I don't know very much about natural home remedies, and I don't know why this works so well. I just know that this will sooth a cold, if not cure it, so give it a try!

Love,
   




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