Healing Ginger Turmeric Tea
|Do you ever wake up in the morning and feel a little off, like some sort of cold-weather sickness is creeping up on you? That's exactly how I woke up today. A bit of a runny nose, a faint headache, a slight tingling in my throat. I'm not sure if it has something to do with the changing of the seasons
or my busier than usual schedule recently, but I am sure about one thing -- I don't want it to get worse! I'm going to visit my sister in Nashville this weekend and want to be full of energy to explore and enjoy the weekend. So, I've spent the day putting together a few different concotions in hopes of warding off a full-blown head cold, and this tea recipe is one of my favorites.
Whenever I'm fighting something minor like this, I drink as many fluids as possible. Organic herbal teas, green juices and fresh, clean water are three of the best things you can consume when you're feeling a little under the weather. Incorporating more of these fluids and substituting some of your regular solid meals with nutrient-dense liquid replacements (such as smoothies and soups) can help give your digestive system a rest and allow your body to focus on the more important task of getting better and healing.
I got the idea for this recipe from a tea I drank at Miraval, a wellness retreat in Arizona, when I took a trip there with my family a few months back. During the day, they have their signature "ginger tea" out, and it is downright addicting. I changed the ingredients up a bit by adding fresh turmeric to the recipe, a relative of ginger thats known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. Both ginger and turmeric originated in India, and are widely used in Ayurvedic prescriptions and recipes. Ginger has a laundry list of health benefits, including increasing circulation, promoting cleansing, and treating colds and fevers. Ginger also has been shown to treat motion sickness, making this tea great to throw in a thermos and pull out during a boat trip.
The combination of honey and lemon really changes the flavor profile of this tea. True raw honey is both antibacterial and antimicrobial, and worth a few more dollars. If you don't have access to fresh turmeric at your local health store or grocery store (Whole Foods normally carries it), you can either leave it out entirely or experiment with a teaspoon of dried turmeric. I've never tried this so I can't promise what the result will be, but I imagine it wouldn't be far off. Also, if you don't have a mortar and pestle you can skip that step, but you made need to heat your tea for 5 minutes or so longer to extract more flavor.
I had a lot of fun taking these photos today -- the beautiful mug I used was given to me by one of my best friends in the world, Rachel, while she was on one of her many European adventures. Isn't it pretty? Drinking this tea made me feel very grateful this morning, thinking not only about Rachel but also my sisters, who I enjoyed this tea with for so many days on our Trip in Arizona (especially Laura who loved it!).
Hope you have a great weekend, thanks for reading! xx
Megan
Ingredient list
- 2 cups spring water
- 1 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 2-inch piece turmeric, peeled and sliced
- 1 tsp raw honey
- juice of 1/2 lemon
total time: 25 minutes
yeild: 1 cup
level: Simple
Directions
Combine ginger and turmeric in mortar and pestle, grinding until both are roughly crushed. This will release the fresh flavors and oils of both roots for more intense flavor.
Add water, ginger and turmeric to a small saucepan of medium high heat. Bring to a low boil, reduce to low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Strain into a tea glass or coffee mug, then stir in honey and lemon.
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