Here's another wonderful warming herb which can raise immunity and nourish the body in so many ways. Ginger root can ~ at the same time, soothe our nerves AND energize us! I use it in herbal formulae to help move the medicine throughout the body faster (circulatory stimulant properties). Ginger also helps us to release toxins and can be both 'building' and detoxifying! Ginger Medicine has an important place in my herbal apothecary + winter medicine chest. I hope it has a place in yours. Stay tuned for some ideas!!
There are a few attributes that always come to mind when I think of this 'super star herb' :
Ginger Medicine:
Ginger is anti-nausea and calms motion 'sickness'
Ginger calms tummy irritation and aids digestion
Ginger is anti-inflammatory
Ginger is analgesic so it can help with pain relief
Antibacterial
Experience tells us that ginger tea daily can help to reduce sugar cravings. A therapeutic dose of 3-4 cups per day in the morning or later in the afternoon can truly make a difference. It's often called Nature's Ant-acid. I wrote about it here.
Ginger has so much to offer us -- it's one of my favourite herbs.
Ginger Medicine: Ginger Syrup
I love to make this special healing syrup. Ginger medicine can treat everything from arthritis, to digestive distress and heart issues. It's easy to make and delightful to give AND receive!
Ginger syrup makes a welcome gift so make lots and make your friends smile!
Ginger Syrup
Ingredients
- 11/2 cups pure water
- 1 cup raw honey
- 6 oz ginger root sliced thin into 'coins'.
Instructions
-
Combine the honey and the water in a pot and bring to a simmer.
-
Add the ginger. Simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes.
-
Remove from the heat and strain the ginger out.
-
Allow to cool.
-
Pour into a clean jar or bottle.
Recipe Notes
Store in the fridge. Enjoy within 6 months
Want to experiment with Ginger but don't have the time to make the syrup?
Nothing is easier than this quick Ginger tea... or Ginger infusion. It's soothing, helps with digestion,
raises immune function and well... there's more details about Ginger here:
Ginger Medicine: EASY GINGER TEA!
This is SO easy. Either grate fresh ginger root as here:
or Slice ginger root into 'coins', pop into a cup and top with just boiled water.
I like to use a "Mason" (canning) jar with a lid. It makes it super easy.
Choose a cup with lid or use a glass jar with a lid to ensure that the healing steam stays 'with' the infusion which is better for YOU!
Add lemon for another flavour boost, or experiment. It's about nourishing yourself & your family.
Make a warm lemonade; add cayenne powder if you dare, plus a little honey
and grated ginger!
Here's an herbal infusion with Ginger, Thyme & lemon. Delicious and soothing for a sore throat.
I may have saved the best for last. It has been said that -- if we catch a cold/flu with the right remedy at the very beginning and if we take enough of it and if we keep taking it for a couple of days after symptoms subside --> We can avert the cold/flu altogether! One such remedy is this "Jazzed up Ginger Juice " It does require a little more time but when we have all the ingredients on hand, it can be made and ready to use in minutes!
Ginger Medicine : "Jazzed up Ginger Juice"
You will need 2 lbs( approximately) fresh ginger root. Juice it if you can or use a blender. I am blessed to have a VitaMix so I use that.
Here's the recipe:
4 oz fresh ginger juice
1 tablespoon raw honey
¼ fresh lime (juice)
⅛ teaspoon cayenne powder
6 oz good quality room temperature water
Combine the ingredients in a glass canning jar with a good lid.
Mix well.
Sip throughout the day.
Repeat!
Note: For a printable version of this recipe ~ see here.
Want to learn some DIY herbal remedies ?
Check out my ebook "Cold + Flu Season ~ Are YOU Ready?"
Here's to your health! xo Carol
How do you use Ginger?
Click below and join the DIY "blog hop" party ~ DIY GIFT GIVING IDEAS!
This is from a few years back but still filled with great timely gifties !!
Liz Lindsey
Learned about ginger about 10 years ago - was having really chronic indigestion and lady in my church shared about ginger, now it is always in my cabinet, frig and freezer!
Carol Little
Fantastic! Do you make a tea or how do you use the ginger root?
Megan Stevens
Ginger is my favorite Carol. With all the ups and downs of my health, ginger has always been a blessing to me. I love how gentle yet spicy it is! Thank you for these recipes and insights!
Carol Little
You are most welcome. Hope you continue to feel better + better!! oxo
Kelly
I love ginger so much. The taste is great, but the benefits are amazing!
ChihYu Smith
I love ginger and how wonderful it is to see there are so many ways to use it!
Raia Todd
One of my all-time favorite roots! Even if it never helped my pregnancy nausea.... ;)
Carol Little
LoL. I guess those healing powers work differently for each of us.. sorry to hear that.. glad you still appreciate Ginger! xo
Libby
This is the time of year to have a comfortable supply of Ginger syrup. I love ginger and can't wait to make the syrup! thanks.
Carol Little
I agree. I have some more 'in the plans' later today!!
Joni Gomes
I full heartedly believe that food is medicine and I have used ginger before when a cold was coming on. This ginger juice sounds amazing!
Lindsey Dietz
Ginger is SUCH beautiful food! We love using it in food and as medicine!
linda spiker
Can you believe I tested as sensitive to ginger!? I am supposed to stay away from it. Which is hard. Boo!
Carol Little
oh no..so sorry to hear.. Will need to make you some nettle concoctions to 'dial back' your sensitivity!!
Emily
That jazzed up ginger juice looks great - and it's such a super powerful combination.
Carol
What do you do with the ginger syrup?
Ralph Garten
Ginger produces a hot, fragrant kitchen spice.[5] Young ginger rhizomes are juicy and fleshy with a very mild taste. They are often pickled in vinegar or sherry as a snack or just cooked as an ingredient in many dishes. They can also be steeped in boiling water to make ginger tea, to which honey is often added; sliced orange or lemon fruit may also be added. Ginger can also be made into candy, or ginger wine which has been made commercially since 1740.;