Turmeric Ginger Tea

What is Turmeric Ginger Tea

It is an herbal infusion prepared from fusing turmeric and ginger roots, both of which belong to the same botanical family, used as essential spice for cooking as well as various medicinal purposes for centuries. The host of essential nutrients present in turmeric and ginger make them increasingly beneficial as a tea, helping to provide relief from several ailments.

Health benefits of Turmeric Ginger Tea: What is it good for

Anti-inflammatory properties

The presence of the anti-inflammatory compound gingerol in ginger and curcumin in turmeric facilitates in providing relief from the pain and swelling caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Making a tea including both turmeric and ginger doubles their anti-inflammatory impact, benefitting people having regular episodes of joint pain, also bringing about an improvement in their movement.

Relieves menstrual cramps

These anti-inflammatory properties of ginger and turmeric help in lessening the cramps and pains during menstruation by inhibiting the stimulation of the prostaglandins hormone that is responsible for triggering contractions of the uterine muscles leading to pain and inflammation.

For weight loss

Ginger plays a significant role in helping to lose body weight as it stimulates the digestive enzymes, boost the metabolism as well as has appetite-suppressant properties. Turmeric, on the other hand, helps in increasing the bile flow in the stomach that in turn works towards breaking down the fat. Therefore drinking a decoction of ginger and turmeric on a regular basis may help in shedding the extra calories.

Liver detoxifying properties

Being a potent antioxidant, ginger helps in fighting against the free radicals, thus boosting the body’s production of the detoxifying enzymes. Studies have even shown that it contributes towards shielding the liver against the adverse effects of bromobenzene, thus helping in alleviating hepatoxicity. Turmeric also acts as a strong liver detoxifier, stimulating the gallbladder to produce bile, that in turn is utilized by the liver for the elimination or flushing out of the toxins. Curcumin, present in turmeric also plays a pivotal role in the formation of GST, a primary enzyme for liver detoxification. Therefore mixing ginger and turmeric together and preparing tea from it would act as a liver tonic, keeping you healthy and rejuvenated.

Facilitates digestion

Apart from acting as an effective liver detoxifier, turmeric and ginger contain antispasmodic properties that are helpful in releasing the gasses trapped in the digestive system, thus providing relief from bloating, flatulence, heartburn and stomach cramps.

For diabetes

Studies and research have highlighted the utility of both ginger and turmeric in controlling diabetes (Type 2 in particular). While ginger helps in managing high levels of blood sugar by increasing the glucose uptake into the muscle cells because of the gingerol compound present in it, the curcumin content of turmeric makes it beneficial in lowering the glucose level and reversing insulin resistance. Therefore, adding ginger and turmeric to your tea may be one of the measures you can undertake to keep a check on your blood sugar level. However, if you are already taking medicines for diabetes, have a word with your doctor before consuming this tea.

Anti-aging properties

Ginger contains gingerol, an antioxidant that protects the collagen from breaking down. On the other hand, studies have revealed that curcumin present in turmeric helps in preserving the length as well as helping in elongation of the telomere, which is a compound structure locate at the end of the chromosome, the shortening of which has an adverse impact on our body. Therefore, a tea made from turmeric and ginger would contribute towards a healthy body.

How to make turmeric and ginger tea

Ingredients

• A cup of water
• A teaspoon of freshly grated ginger and turmeric roots or about 1/4^th teaspoon of ground turmeric and ginger
• Raw honey or maple syrup and a slice of lemon (optional)

Procedure

• Boil the water in a saucepan
• Add the grated ginger and turmeric
• Reduce the heat and simmer for about ten minutes ( lessen the simmering time to five minutes if using ground ginger and turmeric)
• Strain the tea
• Add honey and lemon for taste and serve it

If you wish to strengthen its anti-inflammatory effect then prepare a ginger-turmeric-cinnamon tea by adding two cinnamon sticks.

Turmeric ginger milk tea

Ingredients

• I cup of rice or almond milk
• Two teaspoons of ground turmeric
• One teaspoon of ginger grated finely
• Any sweetener

Procedure

• Pour milk into a saucepan
• Heat it gently, till it gets warm
• Mix ginger and turmeric in a mug
• Pour a little bit of the warm milk into the cup and stir properly to ensure that it is free of lumps
• Mix the leftover milk and stir well after adding the sweetener

Safety and Precautions

Side effects

Though a decoction made from ginger and turmeric is usually considered safe, overconsumption may result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and heartburn. If you have gall bladder problems, taking blood thinners or are under a long term medication for any severe ailment have a word with your healthcare provider before having this tea.

During pregnancy

Though ginger is said to help in easing morning sickness and helping in digestion, studies have also stated its negative impact on the fetal sex hormones, whereas turmeric might also stimulate uterine contraction leading to bleeding. Thus, it is safe to refrain from having turmeric ginger tea when pregnant.

Though both ginger and turmeric are said to have galactagogue properties, there is no valid evidence regarding their utility. Hence, it is essential for nursing mothers to consult their doctors before taking an herbal decoction made from these two ingredients.

Where to buy

You can buy lemon ginger tea in stores selling herbal teas or even online. Varieties such as organic lemon ginger tea and ginger lemon chai tea are also available.