I have to admit I was pretty excited when we finally got a good layer of snow here in Billings, but I’m a baby when it comes to the cold weather! Luckily, there’s a very popular Chinese herb (that I’m sure you’ve heard of) that makes a super warming and delicious tea.
Ginger, or sheng jiang, is an herb found in many Chinese herbal formulas. It’s in so many formulas because it’s such a beneficial herb! Often, it’s added to balance out the formula so that none of the herbs are too harsh or cause digestive upset. But, it can be used alone for many health benefits too! Ginger is great for:
- digestive upset – the warming property of ginger makes it great for promoting healthy digestion. Try ginger for an upset stomach or after indulging in a large meal.
- nausea – many people experience nausea, whether it be from motion sickness, morning sickness, or chemotherapy. Ginger is a safe and well known remedy to combat nausea naturally.
- common cold – ginger is considered a diaphoretic, which means it promotes sweating. During a cold, it will seriously warm you up and encourage your body to sweat out that cold.
Here’s how you can make a cup of warming ginger tea for yourself!
- Bring 2 cups of water and 6 slices of fresh, peeled ginger to a boil and allow to boil for about 10 minutes. Feel free to add more ginger or boil longer for a stronger tea.
- Remove from the heat, remove slices of ginger, and pour into your favorite mug! A little honey can be added for taste if desired.
So easy and so delicious. Great to calm an upset stomach, promote healthy digestion, reduce nausea, or just warm up on a cold January day!
