Warm Winter Ginger Tonic
If you are needing a way to warm up on these cooler winter days, or you are looking for relief for a scratchy sore throat, this is a go-to tonic in our home. I prefer fresh ginger and fresh turmeric and tend to use more than the recommended amount. Ginger root has aromatic and slightly spicy properties. It is heating and stimulating and is often used in formulas as a mover or circulator. Ginger is often indicated for cold and congestive conditions, acts as a soothing carminative for the digestive tract, as an anti-inflammatory for pain conditions and as an overall anti-oxidant.
Ingredients
- 1 ginger tea bag or 1/2 teaspoon fresh sliced ginger (when using sliced ginger – I use a mandoline to slice and steep in a tea strainer for 6-8 minutes).
- 2 cups (500 mL) boiling water
- Few dashes cinnamon, to taste
- Few dashes ground turmeric, to taste (I also opt for fresh sliced turmeric root, should you have any)
- Few dashes cayenne pepper, to taste (use less, for less heat)
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) apple cider vinegar
- 1 small lemon slice
- organic honey, to taste (1 teaspoon/5 mL or less)
Directions
- Grab an extra large mug or a small teapot (3-cup capacity). Place sliced ginger (and turmeric) or ginger tea bag inside.
- Boil 2 cups of water and pour all the water into the mug/teapot. Cover and steep the ginger (and turmeric) tea for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Remove tea bag. Set aside the tea bag to cool. After cooling a bit you can gently squeeze it into the pot to infuse the tea with even more ginger flavour. If steeping fresh root, feel free to leave it in.
- Add the cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne to steep
- Add the vinegar. Squeeze the lemon wedge and then drop it in to infuse the lemon. Add honey to taste.
- The spices tend to settle to the bottom of the mug/pot, so simply stir the pot or whisk to redistribute.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Courtesy of Dr. Emina Jasarevic, ND
