Ginger root has been used in cooking since ancient times; in the East it was used as an aromatic food additive and spice in the preparation of drinks, baked goods, and various dishes . But this product was valued not so much for its taste and aromatic properties, but as a valuable healing agent. Indeed, ginger is a fairly powerful immunostimulant; it contains a whole storehouse of useful elements, essential oils, natural antibiotics and vitamins, which during the cold season protect the human body from viruses and bacteria, making it much easier to endure any diseases.
Ginger for immunity
Ginger root has strong immunomodulatory properties , it stimulates metabolism, fights fungal spores, reduces the activity of pathogenic bacteria, thereby eliminating inflammatory processes in organs and tissues. It naturally cleanses blood vessels of cholesterol plaques and promotes the production of antibodies in the blood to harmful bacteria and viruses.
Due to the presence of a large number of vitamins and microelements, ginger strengthens the immune system, tones it, improves mood, and has a therapeutic effect.
Indications for use
Let's start with the fact that it definitely won't hurt our body. However, you also need to focus on your taste preferences. Some people love ginger, while others cannot stand it. If you fall into the first category, then you are very lucky. The fact is that ginger tea for weight loss (reviews and results are given below) is not only a very simple, but also a very useful remedy. It helps keep the body in good shape and is also great for preventing and fighting colds. This drink has the following properties.
First of all, a person notices that the mood rises, the tone of the body increases, and thoughts become clearer. Under the influence of hot spices, metabolism accelerates; this is primarily necessary to create conditions for effective weight loss. Under the influence of ginger, the taste of dishes is transformed. Take advantage of this. Savor each bite as long as possible (remember the rule: take small bites and chew for a count of 30). But this is not all the bonuses that ginger tea for weight loss gives you. Reviews and results confirm that some time after you start drinking such a tasty drink regularly, blood circulation will improve, which means the condition of your skin and hair will change for the better.
How to choose fresh ginger in the store
High-quality, fresh ginger has the following characteristics:
- it has a light, golden color and shines beautifully . If you choose matte ginger with a dark peel or a blue tint, you may end up with a bitter product that contains far fewer nutrients than fresh ginger;
- there should be no traces of mold on the root surface . Ginger with black fungus is not suitable for consumption;
- the smell should be pleasant and fresh . Products that smell damp should be avoided;
- The rhizome should be hard, smooth, with a thin skin . The fruit becomes soft when it withers. Also, you should not buy ginger if potato-like “eyes” appear on it, the peel has become dense and thick;
- when choosing, you should give preference to thick, fleshy shoots, they contain the maximum amount of vitamins, micro-, macroelements.
Properties of ginger
Much has been written about the properties of this product. Let us briefly recall the most important things.
So, homemade ginger tea, first of all, helps speed up your metabolism. And the faster all metabolic processes go, the better the nutrients you get from food are absorbed, and the fewer absorbed calories are deposited in the form of fat accumulation on the stomach and thighs. Most weight loss products simply remove water, making your volume appear smaller. At the same time, ginger tea normalizes the independent functioning of the human body, which is initially adapted to consume only the necessary substances, and in the right quantity, and everything else is excreted naturally.
Ginger root contains amazing substances - shogaol and gingerol. It is thanks to them that we feel the characteristic burning taste. They improve the blood supply to the stomach and warm our body. The better the gastric epithelium is supplied with blood, the better the gastrointestinal tract functions. A slight increase in body temperature allows you to reduce the amount of food eaten at one time. If you monitor your own sensations, you probably know that when your body temperature is higher, you want to eat much less.
Ready-made drinks with ginger
Ginger tea Samahan
The natural drink Samahan is an effective anti-flu and anti-cold remedy that has no contraindications . As a result, blood circulation improves, tea warms well, activates digestive processes, and relieves the main symptoms of seasonal illness.
If used regularly, this drink has a pronounced rejuvenating and healing effect. If you use it from time to time, you can get rid of:
- migraines;
- gastrointestinal problems;
- fatigue, general weakness of the body;
- the first signs of a seasonal cold (body aches, fever, sore throat).
In addition to ginger, the ginger drink Samahan contains the following components: cumin, black pepper, premna, yellow nightshade, Indonesian pepper, alpinia, dwarf bindweed, cumin, coriander, licorice and other valuable plant ingredients. All these substances in combination have an antibacterial, antitussive, and immunostimulating effect on the human body.
Healing Samahan tea can be drunk by adults and children over 3 years old . To brew the drink, simply dissolve the contents of one sachet in a glass of warm boiling water and drink it hot, warm or cold. If you don’t like the taste of Samahan, you can add it to coffee, tea, juice, milk, and also enrich the taste with cream, sugar, honey, lemon.
Ginger in filter bags
A traditional drink for many - green tea with ground ginger - can simply be purchased in convenient filter bags and without wasting time preparing it at home . The drink contains no additional flavorings or additives, while at the same time it is rich in all the nutrients and antioxidants found in high-quality green tea leaves and premium ginger root.
A tea drink with ginger is very useful for intestinal disorders, malfunctions of the cardiovascular system, sludge in the body, diabetes, obesity, excessive mental and physical stress. Since ginger is a natural immunostimulant, this tea is recommended to be consumed at the first symptoms of ARVI or influenza. But the best effect will be if you take green tea with ginger regularly; this will help to thoroughly cleanse the liver and blood of toxins that invariably accumulate after long-term treatment with potent medications.
Brewing ginger is very simple, you just need to pour boiling water over 1 - 2 filter bags in a cup, let it brew for 10 - 15 minutes and you can drink.
Alfit Ginger tea
Ginger tea from Alfit is an ideal solution for the first symptoms of a cold and fatigue . This drink also stimulates the formation of gastric juice and bile, so it is recommended for normalizing the functioning of the bile-excretory and digestive systems.
Tea based on herbal ingredients warms well, strengthens blood vessels, promotes expectoration of mucus accumulated in the bronchi and lungs, and restores the condition of the nervous system. Due to its ability to accelerate metabolic processes, ginger drink is successfully used for weight loss.
It is very convenient that all Alfit ginger tea bags are packaged, so you can take several servings with you and always be able to brew your favorite healthy drink. The taste of the tea itself is quite balanced; it contains medicinal herbs, which together make up a pleasant aromatic bouquet. Ginger adds spice to the composition, it refreshes and tones well. If signs of flu or cold appear, it is recommended to additionally add a spoonful of natural bee honey.
Ground ginger root
Ginger root is often used not only to prepare natural medicinal tea, but also added to various dishes as a spice. This product has a therapeutic effect for:
- arthritis, joint diseases;
- tendon rupture, muscle problems;
- overweight;
- colds;
- indigestion, intestinal disorders;
- thrombosis, atherosclerosis, vascular diseases;
- allergies, dermatitis;
- nausea caused by toxicosis during pregnancy or motion sickness;
- painful menstruation, prostate, female infertility;
- bronchial asthma;
- stress, insomnia, and other nervous disorders.
Ground ginger is added to soups and sauces; it goes perfectly with any meat, fish, legumes, cheese, and this product also enriches the taste of drinks . If you add a pinch of ginger while kneading the dough, the baked goods will become more fragrant. But it is very important when consuming to adhere to the recommended dosage - for one adult it is enough to add a quarter of a teaspoon to a 200-250 ml serving of food.
Healing baths with ginger are very useful; they warm and relax the body. To prepare the infusion, you need to take 4 tsp per 0.5 liter of water. ground ginger root, put on fire. After boiling, boil for 10 - 12 minutes, add the resulting broth to the bath.
For joint pain and radiculitis, it is useful to make compresses. 0.5 tsp turmeric, a pinch of ground red pepper, 1 tsp. ginger, mix a couple of drops of mustard oil, add 1 tbsp. boiling water and bring to a homogeneous mass. Apply the paste to the sore spot, cover with film, wrap in a warm towel and leave for half an hour.
Warm up after a long walk
A recipe based on black tea, ginger and honey is perfect for this. For one serving you will need:
- Assam Raidang tea - 2 teaspoons (can be replaced with any other classic variety of black tea);
- ginger - 1-2 teaspoons;
- honey - 3 teaspoons;
- water - 250 ml.
Brew black tea with water at a temperature of 90–95 degrees and let steep for 5 minutes. Add grated ginger root and honey, stir.
Honey smoothes out the sharpness of ginger, preserving all its beneficial properties. This honey-spicy drink will help you quickly warm up after returning from a winter walk.
Other recipes
And we continue the conversation about how to make ginger tea, because today there are quite a lot of recipes. An excellent option for a duet with a hot root would be green tea, known for its antioxidant properties. Preparing ginger tea for weight loss takes time, so prepare it in the evening for the next day. You will still need 2 tablespoons of grated ginger, green tea and boiling water. You can first add lemon juice to the grated ginger. All this must be put in a thermos and left to infuse for 3-4 hours. Drink approximately 150-180 ml, 30 minutes before meals.
There is another option that will also help not only lose weight, but also strengthen the immune system, as well as improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails. In this case, rose hips, known for their healing properties, “work” together with the root. Proper ginger tea has a rich taste and aroma. To do this, you will need to grate the root in the same amount as indicated in previous recipes and add 100 g of dried rose hips. Pour all this into a thermos, pour boiling water over it and leave for about 3-5 hours. Take a small cup 30 minutes before meals.
Tea bags for busy people
Indeed, the frantic pace of modern life sometimes makes you wonder: what if you don’t brew the drug in a thermos, but buy a ready-made product? There is ginger tea in the pharmacy, but its effectiveness will greatly depend on the manufacturer. At the same time, you need to take into account that if you are offered an instant drink that does not need to be brewed, then it is quite possible that we are talking about a product with the aroma of a burning root, which will definitely not have any effect. Therefore, it will be much better if you take the time and brew ginger yourself at home, add mint or lemon, honey or blackcurrant leaves, rose hips or cranberries to it for taste and aroma. As a last resort, take natural ground ginger and brew it with boiling water. The efficiency will be slightly lower than when using fresh root, but the difference is not too critical. And don’t forget that you need to eat right and exercise.
