You may have heard by now that ginger is excellent for improving digestion and releasing bloating. Here’s a way to get your ginger in without also picking up extra unwanted ingredients. Ever tried making fresh ginger tea?

Ginger can be a pretty intense flavor so it’s often accompanied by sugar. I admit I used to be addicted to ginger chews which are really just a glorified version of candied ginger!

My mother used to keep gingerale around the house as a magical tonic for when us girls were feeling sick. Upset stomach? Out it came. I still have those associations even though I haven’t drunk soda in years. It’s funny now that I realize it was the ginger that we were seeking out. So why not remove the middleman?

When to Drink Ginger Tea

• Before a meal

  • To help increase digestibility, especially of greasy, unhealthy food

• When feeling bloated or nauseous

  • To help ease stomach discomfort and release built up gas

• Before a flight

  • To combat motion sickness

• As a hangover cure

  • To settle your stomach and relieve nausea

• During pregnancy

  • Doses as small as those in tea or food are safe for mothers-to-be, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, and can help quell morning sickness

  

What Does Ginger Do?

• Stimulates Digestion

  • stimulates production of saliva, bile, gastric juices, etc.
  • drink just before a meal or small amounts during
  • prevents gas

• Beats Bloating

  • relaxes muscles, relieving cramping

• Reduces Flatulence

  • relaxes muscles to release trapped gas
  • less chance of backed up, fermenting food in digestion system

• Prevents Acid Reflux

  • reduces inflammation

• Improves circulation

  • Boosts blood flow, including flow to organs

So that you always have ginger around: Store a piece of ginger root in the freezer. When you want to make tea, just pull it out and zest/grate it into your mug (or stir-fry for that matter). Then stick it back in the freezer for later.

How to Make Fresh Ginger Tea

Stovetop:

• Heat water on stove
• Add about a teaspoon-sized piece of ginger and simmer for 10 minutes
• Strain and squeeze lemon juice in to taste

Kettle:

• Grate 1/2 tsp ginger into a tea ball or strainer and add to a mug.
• Pour hot water over ginger and let sit for a few minutes.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.

Honey is often recommended for sweetening ginger tea. Instead, try dropping in a date or two and let it soak for a couple of minutes. You can also add some non-dairy milk to cool it down. Sip and enjoy.

Now your turn. What is your favorite healthy way to relieve nausea or indigestion? Leave it in the comments.