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Antiviral and Rejuvenating Tea with Turmeric and Ginger
Instructions
Prepare all the products on the list: turmeric, ginger, lime and honey. Fresh ginger gives a brighter flavour, while ground ginger is milder and more familiar. Lime is preferable to lemon – it is more fragrant and more sour – but either option will work.
Peel the ginger and cut it into thin slices. For one cup, 5-6 slices are enough – large pieces give too pungent a flavour. If you have no fresh ginger, you can use the ground product – 1/4 tsp will replace the fresh slices. Prepare the ground turmeric: this bright orange spice will give the drink its colour and beneficial substances.
Put the turmeric (1/3 tsp) and ginger (to taste) into a cup and pour over rapidly boiling water. The water should be at a rolling boil – this draws out the essential oils from the ginger and the beneficial substances from the turmeric as much as possible. Cover the cup with a lid or saucer and let it steep for 5 minutes – an important stage for the full release of aroma and colour.
Cut off a few slices of lime (usually 2-3 slices are enough). For sweetness I use honey – it is better than sugar in a drink like this, since it adds its own beneficial properties. A classic "autumn" trio: lime, ginger, honey.
The tea has steeped under the closed lid for 5 minutes and has released all its beneficial substances well. During this time the turmeric has coloured the drink a bright, sunny shade, and the ginger has added a sharp, spicy note. The drink has cooled a little, and now you can add the honey (1/2 tsp). Stir everything well. IMPORTANT: add the honey only once the tea has cooled to 40-50 °C – in boiling water honey loses its beneficial properties and turns into a plain syrup.
The antiviral tea with turmeric and ginger is ready! I drink it in the morning on an empty stomach or between meals – this way the drink is better absorbed and reveals its properties. I add the lime just before drinking for freshness.
Tips
- 1
Add honey only to COOLED tea (down to 40-50 °C) – in boiling water it loses its beneficial properties and turns into an ordinary syrup.
- 2
Turmeric is poorly absorbed without fat – add 1/4 tsp of coconut oil or some full-fat milk to the tea so that the curcumin (the active substance) is better absorbed by the body.
- 3
Fresh ginger gives a more "lively" aroma than ground. Peel it with a spoon (not a knife) – that way there is minimal waste. A similar approach is used in other healthy drinks.
- 4
Drink the tea in the morning on an empty stomach or between meals – this way the active substances (curcumin, gingerol) are better absorbed and work for the good of the body.
Video
FAQ
What makes turmeric and ginger tea good for you? +
Turmeric contains curcumin – a powerful antioxidant with an anti-inflammatory action. Ginger is a natural warming agent that contains gingerol (an antiviral substance) and shogaols (anti-inflammatory). Together they strengthen the immune system, ease cold symptoms, improve digestion and speed up the metabolism (helping with weight control). Lime adds vitamin C, and honey provides natural antimicrobial substances. Regular use (1 cup in the morning) during the cold season is excellent prevention against colds and flu.
Can you drink this tea every day? +
Yes, in moderation – 1-2 cups a day is safe for most adults. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with gallstone disease, those with high stomach acidity, or anyone taking blood-thinning medication (curcumin can enhance their effect). With prolonged daily use (a month or more) it is advisable to take a break of 1-2 weeks. Before taking it as a course of treatment (as a medicinal remedy), consult a doctor.
What can replace the honey in the recipe? +
Honey is the ideal sweetener for this kind of tea (it adds its own beneficial properties), but in case of allergy it can be replaced with: brown sugar (1 tsp), maple syrup (1 tsp), stevia (a natural sugar-free substitute, to taste) or date syrup. Without a sweetener the tea comes out rather bitter because of the turmeric – something you have to get used to. You can do without sugar and honey altogether by adding more lime and some mint – the fresh aroma partly offsets the bitterness.
How many times a day can you drink this tea? +
Ideally 1-2 cups a day: in the morning (to kick-start the metabolism) and in the evening (to relax). More than 2 cups is unnecessary – an excess of turmeric can cause nausea in sensitive people, and too much ginger can irritate the stomach. At the first signs of a cold you can increase it to 3 cups for 2-3 days, then return to the usual amount. Children (over 6 years old) can have 1/2 a cup, but only after consulting a paediatrician. The tea is not a substitute for treatment – it is a supplementary remedy.
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