Vitamin teas are a popular drink during the fall and winter cold season. Raspberries, sea buckthorn, currants, mint, and lemon have long been considered the first aid for sore throats and runny noses. But what about ginger: can this plant really support the immune system and speed up recovery from SARS?
What is ginger and what are its benefits?
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – Ginger is a plant that has been used for thousands of years in Asian folk medicine, and in the 18th century it became widely recognized in Europe. Ginger is also being actively studied in modern medicine: the root has been shown to contain a number of bioactive compounds, including gingerols, shogaols and caffeic acid, as well as a number of vitamins (C, E, K, group B) and trace elements.
The extraordinary composition determines the healing properties of ginger:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antimicrobial;
- analgesic;
- antioxidant;
- toning, etc.
The heat-generating properties of ginger are worth mentioning separately. It is a natural heat generator that helps the body raise its temperature and activate the immune system. Since most viruses cannot multiply well at high temperatures, even a slight increase to 37-38 °C increases the body’s resistance and speeds up recovery.
The benefits of ginger for colds and ARVI
As mentioned above, ginger tea can help with colds due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and heat-generating properties.
Drinking ginger tea:
- relieves sore throat;
- reduces swelling of the nasal and throat mucous membranes;
- slightly dilates blood vessels, which can make breathing easier;
- calms the psyche and relieves anxiety.
A 2013 study proved that ginger can reduce inflammation and boost the body’s immune response to viral infections.
Ginger also reduces oxidative stress, which contributes to cellular damage and can increase inflammation, and the vitamin C contained in the root can reduce the duration of cold symptoms by 8% in adults and 14% in children, as well as reduce the severity of the disease.
Important: ginger should not be consumed by people with gastrointestinal ulcers, gallstones, poor blood clotting, and hypersensitivity to the plant’s components.
How to make delicious ginger tea
To make delicious and healthy ginger tea, you will need:
- 1 liter of very warm water;
- 3-4 slices of peeled ginger root;
- 1 tbsp of honey;
- 2-3 slices of lemon;
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional);
- 1 sprig of mint (optional).
Add all the ingredients to the water, cover and let it brew for 5-10 minutes.
And to save time and effort, try making tea from a ready-to-drink berry mix from TM Delicia. There are three variations of vitamin tea to choose from: Sea Buckthorn with Ginger, Ginger with Echinacea, and Lemon Ginger. All of them are made from natural ingredients and contain flower honey, which is good for colds and tastes good for adults and children.
However, it is worth remembering that such drinks are only aids in the treatment regimen. They are not a substitute for medical treatment or medical advice if symptoms are serious or the infection is progressing.
