Have you heard the saying, “With medication, you can get rid of a cold in one week, and with no medication, you can get rid of it in 7 days”? We are sure you got the pun intended. Well, it is true that viral infections like cold take their own sweet time to subside.
However, ginger tea for cold is the most sort out option to relieve you from symptoms like nasal blockage, congestion, and running nose.
Ginger, one of the widely consumed condiments around the world(1), has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in soothing your sinuses. The vibrant and piquant flavor in it makes it a perfect replacement for caffeine.
It can either be used as the ginger root or grated version of it, depending on the way it is consumed. As it is found in every household, ginger root for cold becomes one of the best remedies to get instant relief
Did You Know?
- More than 200 viruses cause cold.
- There isn’t a single vaccination available that could prevent you from cold.
- In the United States, colds account for more visits to the doctor than any other condition.
Ginger Tea Recipes For Cold
1. Fresh Ginger Tea
‘Everything from the aisle,’ is the new mantra these days. While you can shell out some green bills and get them ready to drink ginger tea bags, the best version is only the homemade one. This not only soothes your aching throat muscles but also helps with other cold symptoms.
The procedure here is quite simple. Take a whole ginger root and cut them into medium size pieces. Add these pieces to the already boiling water. Now on a medium flame, let it brew for about 10 minutes. Adding a dash of lemon helps to mellow the spicy flavor of ginger. Having it twice a day will keep the cold chills at bay(2).
[Also Read: Naturopathic Remedies to Get Rid of Cold]
2. Lemon Ginger Tea
Lemon ginger tea is most definitely the best and delicious drink. In here, you can reap the benefits of both ginger and lemon in abundance. Citrus, as we know, is the best to take when suffering from cold. This version of ginger tea is so loved that it is often prepared as an iced tea in summers.
Lemon ginger tea is pretty easy to make. Follow the above instructions of how traditional ginger tea is made, but with an addition of more lemon. Take a medium size lemon and add it to the already brewing ginger tea. It is ready after you let it simmer for a minute or two. The tangy and refreshing lemon flavor adds a nice swerve to the tea.
3. Green Ginger Tea
This version of tea has a green twist to it. Time and again, we heard how amazing the green tea is. Now, imagine a brew having best of both the worlds? Ain’t that a super mix? Ginger green tea can be prepared by using any green tea leaves of your choice. As we use tea leaves in here, there is a little amount of caffeine present.
To prepare this, boil a cup of water in a teapot. Now, add grated ginger root, and green tea leaves to it. Stir it and let the concoction simmer on a slow flame for about 5 minutes. Remember to not to brew the green tea leaves for a longer time as they turn bitter. Sipping this ginger tea for cold at regular intervals helps you clear off the mucus and breathing difficulties(3).
[Also Read: Herbs That Fight Cold]
4. Chai Tea
Did you know that there is an all mix spice for tea too? And it is called Chai Latte? Yes, the chai tea mix has 5 spices in it. The ginger root, cardamom, peppercorns, cloves, and cinnamon. All the mentioned spices are known for their incredible medicinal properties. Brewing a tea with all these ingredients surely is the best ways to get rid of cold.
In Chai tea, we use black tea as a base. Take a cup of water and let it boil. Now add 1/4th teaspoon of black tea along with these spices. The robust flavors of spices with black tea make it the best version of ginger tea for cold. There are many variations to consume this tea.
You can use all the whole spices separately and add it to the black tea, or you can ground all the spices to a fine powder and use ginger root as a whole. Adding some milk and honey, only makes it more flavourful and rich.
[Also Read: Amazing Tea Facts]
Other Ways of Using Ginger for Cold
Apart from the above-mentioned tea recipes, Ginger can also be used in different ways. Let us see the not so popular yet effective ways in which Ginger is used for cold.
1. Ginger Juice Steam Breathing
Grind freshly cut ginger pieces and make a juice out it. Now that you have your ginger juice ready, using it to relieve you from nasal blockage is a cake walk. Take 2 spoons of ginger juice and add it to a bowl of hot water. This Ginger infused steam inhaling gives you instant relief from cold.
2. Ginger Juice Bath
Cold, along with congestion and running nose also is accompanied by body pains. Adding ginger juice to your bath with some bath salts not only opens up your nasal blocks, but it also gives your body a pleasant slumber after the bath.
Now that you know how to make Ginger tea for cold and other ways of using ginger, wait no more and get your medic mode on. For better results, it is always better to try combinations of these recipes. While Ginger for cold is pretty useful, eating a well-balanced diet and keeping yourself hydrated is also essential to boost your immune system.
FAQs
Q1. Is Ginger Tea Good for a Cold?
The anti-inflammatory properties of Ginger help you relieve your sore throat and congestion quickly. As it also helps in flushing the toxins out of your body, Ginger tea for cold is a quick way to warm up your aching throat muscles.
Q2. Can You Use Garlic for Cold?
Incorporating Garlic in your food regularly can boost your immune system. If you are sick with cold and flu, Garlic can alleviate your symptoms and give you relief.
Q3. How Much Ginger is Enough to Make Ginger Tea for Cold?
Usually an inch and a half fresh ginger can make for about 2 cups of Ginger tea. However, if you are giving it to children, reduce the concentration to lower the spice quotient.
