Backyard Healing Herbs
by Mary Swanson
Herbs & Recipes
Ginger Tea Recipe
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Plant description
The plant is indigenous to the Southeastern Asian region. The rhizome is a commonly used spice and has been used as medicine for thousands of years.
How it works
- Atherosclerosis: It prevents atherosclerosis by lowering cholesterol and preventing LDL cholesterol from oxidation.
- Diabetes: It improves insulin sensitivity and the absorption of glucose in the cells.
- High Blood Pressure: It works by relaxing the blood vessels and by reducing the need for salt, which contains sodium, one of the main contributing factors to high blood pressure.
- High Cholesterol: It lowers cholesterol levels by impairing cholesterol absorption, helping it convert to bile acids and then increasing bile elimination.
- Weight Loss: It helps weight loss by accelerating metabolism, enhancing satiety and digestion.
- Other Uses: Ginger is also useful in treating nausea, arthritis, colds, menstrual pains, and is also used for cancer prevention.
How to use it
First recipe
- Parts used - root
- Preparation - infusion
Put 1-2 tsp of freshly grated root in a cup of hot water. Let it steep for 10-15 minutes. If you don't suffer from diabetes, you can add honey and lemon juice for taste. Add the honey when the water has cooled, not when it is still hot. Drink 2-3 cups per day after meals (one before going to sleep).
A more effective combination for decreasing cholesterol is ginger with onions and garlic. In this combination, they are more effective at stimulating the pancreas.
Second recipe
- Parts used - root
- Preparation - powder
Take 1/2 teaspoon of ginger root powder and keep it under the tongue for 10 minutes, then swallow it with water, 3-4 times daily.
