The Health Benefits of Ginger Tea

Ginger tea has long been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine as a digestive aid that doubles as a powerful, warming winter drink. In the tradition of Ayurvedic Medicine, ginger tea is often prescribed before traveling to people who suffer from motion sickness (ginger is said to help prevent nausea, though the plant’s warming quality is also very relaxing and calming to the adrenals).

According to Chinese medicine, ginger helps strengthen the immune system, quell inflammation, improve blood circulation, relieve the common cough, and help stave off symptoms of cold and flu. It even helps ease the pain of menstrual cramps.

In the winter, we love drinking ginger tea after a meal and before bed, in order to take advantage of its soothing, nourishing qualities.

There are many commercially-viable brands of ginger tea out there, but our favorite way to brew it is on the stove, with a cast iron pan full of freshly-grated ginger and water. Simply bring the water to a boil and let it simmer over the stove all day, periodically pouring off some of the tea to drink. In this way, fresh ginger works to stimulate your senses and perfume your home– a comforting combination in this season of frigid temperatures and blustery wind.