Happy New Year!
Are you looking for a simple, yummy something to add health & cleansing to your New Year? This recipe will do just that!
Ginger
Ginger is one of my favorite things ever. I eat fresh ginger root straight up. Seriously. But I know that’s not enjoyable for everyone! Tea is a much gentler way to enjoy its amazing health benefits.
The health benefits of ginger are vast, and are especially potent in regard to improving digestion.
Ginger is believed to benefit those with any of the following health conditions:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Osteoarthritis
- Menstrual cramps
- Vertigo
- Migraines
- Hyperlipidemia (elevated cholesterol)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Insulin Resistance
- Metabolic Syndrome
To learn more about ginger, check out my Ginger Berry Smoothie post.
Most ginger you find in stores is the mature form. When in season, you can sometimes also find young ginger. Contrary to my intuition, I find that the mature form of ginger is more potent than the young. Keep that in mind if you decide to use young ginger in this recipe- you will want to use a larger quantity.
Lemon Peel
You have probably heard that the juice of citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C, right?
But did you know that the peel (AKA zest) is even more nutritious? It is rich in vitamin C, folate, and antioxidants.
Citrus peel is useful for a variety of ailments, including the following:
- Colic
- Dyspepsia
- Immune dysfunction
- Inflammation
- Cancer
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Colds
- Flus
One of the other things I love about zesting a lemon is the amazing fragrance it leaves behind in your kitchen. The essential oils of a lemon are found in its skin and are dispersed into the air when grated.
- ½ tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- ½ tablespoon freshly grated ginger (about 3" nub ginger)
- 8 ounces water
- Grate lemon and ginger using a microplane or other fine grater.
- Boil water- I recommend an electric tea kettle- it will make your life so much easier.
- Place grated lemon and ginger in a metal tea ball, place in mug of hot water, and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Enjoy warm!
References
[1] Ginger. Natural Medical Protocols. Naturalopinion.com. Accessed 12-24-2016.
[2] Ginger. University of Michigan Health Library. Uofmhealth.org/health-library. Accessed 12-24-2016.
[3] Hussain KA, Tarakji B, Kandy BP, et al. Antimicrobial effects of citrus sinensis peel extracts against periodontopathic bacteria: an in vitro study. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2015;66(2):173-8.
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