There is something so satisfying about drinking a fresh cup of ginger tea, it’s aromatic with a perfect touch of spice while it promises to keep you warm and cozy when it’s cold outside.

Ginger can be enjoyed anytime during the day or year, I like drinking hot ginger tea in the winter and it also makes for a very refreshing iced beverage during the summer.

The great news is that ginger root is so great for you!

Ginger has already been touted for it’s powerful immune system boosting properties such as killing cancer cells, preventing you from getting sick, helping you to recover quickly from a flu or cold, and easing nausea and stomach problems.

Ginger root has so many other amazing health benefits, read on to find out why it’s one of my favorite all time spices!

 

 1. Promotes Weight Loss

Ginger can be used as an important part of a weight loss regiment, as it targets several different angles to help you shed those extra pounds. Every time I drink ginger tea during the day I find myself less hungry and I tend to not overeat. I also noticed I have less cravings for sweets.

A 2013 study published in the European Review of Medical and Pharmacological Sciences reported ginger having significant effect on reducing body weight. [1] Not only does it speed up your metabolism, but it increases the body’s fat burning potential, and it works as an appetite suppressant so you don’t overeat.

A 2012 study found that subjects stated feeling less hungry, had lower food intake, and reported a greater fullness with ginger consumption versus the control group. [2]

 

2.  Gives You a Boost of Energy

Ginger is both energizing and invigorating; it stimulates your system, raises the body temperature, and ultimately gives you a boost of energy.  It can be enjoyed in the morning to get your body and organs to wake up.

It can be enjoyed in various way, add a little lemon for an extra energy boost or mix ginger with green tea for an ultimate energizer.

However, don’t drink ginger before going to bed as it can give you insomnia, as it’s too stimulating for bedtime.

 

3. Ginger as an Aphrodisiac

For centuries people have deemed Ginger root as a sexual stimulant as it increases blood flow, causes a sudden rush of warmth, and makes your heart beat faster.

This in turn can increase blood flow to the sexual organs for increased sexual stimulation and pleasure.  It can also make you think about sex, as ginger turns up the heat and mimics the way your body feels during sexual arousal.

 

4. Detoxifies Your System

Ginger has exceptional antioxidant content that helps in eliminating free radicals from your body. One of the main bioactive compounds in ginger is Gingerol, which is responsible for much of its healing properties.

Ginger is known to clean out the gallbladder and even help remove gallstones.  It detoxifies the liver, prompting healthy liver function.

One study found that after 4 weeks of ginger consumption, liver function was not altered as tested by blood bilirubin levels. [1] This is an important consideration as many herbs and herbal supplements that claim to have benefits such as weight loss or detoxification can be toxic to your liver.

New research shows that liver injury caused by herbals and dietary supplements increased from 7% to 20% in a U.S. study group over a ten-year period. [3]

 

5. Helps Reduce Muscle and Joint Pain

Ginger has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that have effectively reduced pain and swelling in people suffering from various conditions.

Studies have shown ginger has helped decrease back pain, sciatic nerve pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and general muscle discomfort.

It can also help with post workout recovery pain. A study performed by the researchers at the University of Georgia showed that daily consumption of ginger reduced muscle pain caused by exercise by 25 percent. [4]

 

6. Gives You Glowing Skin

Since skin and liver are closely interwoven, ginger’s liver detoxifying effects will help make your skin glow radiantly.  This is beauty from the inside out!

The days I drink ginger tea, I usually see a significant improvement in my skin the next day.  My face appears less puffy, my skin seems brighter, smoother, and even my under eye area has less dark circles.

Ginger contains dozens of antioxidant properties that improve the appearance of your skin by removing free radicals and increasing blood flow. This allows more vitamins and nutrients to reach the surface of your skin.

Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties will tone your skin, decrease swelling, and help with under eye bags.

 

7. Improves Memory and Concentration

Ginger has shown to be a potential brain tonic. With its stimulating properties ginger increases blood flow to the brain, enhances both attention and cognitive processing capabilities, and helps preserve brain cells.

One study found ginger as a potential cognitive enhancer for middle-aged women.  Sixty women who were given ginger supplementation for two months and then asked to perform various memory tests. Women who supplemented with the highest levels of ginger performed best on the memory tests and exhibited enhanced working memory with no side effects noted. [5]

Best Ginger Tea Supplements

If you are short on time or ginger root is not available at your local supermarket. You can also get the same effects with ginger root supplements. Although, I love the taste of a hot fresh batch of ginger tea, it may not be for everyone. One of my favorite brands is Gaia Herbs and they make a great ginger product called Ginger Supreme. It’s different than other products as it is liquid form, that way more is absorbed by your body compared to the dry form of these supplements found elsewhere. Click on the link below if you are interested in purchasing from Amazon.

I am in no way associated with any companies I recommend in this post. I do have Amazon affiliate links, which helps pay a small portion for the fees to maintain this website.

One last note

Although ginger has been proven for it’s health benefits, it is a powerful medicinal  spice!  I don’t recommend using any herb, spice, or supplement for long term use or in large quantities.  I use ginger tea for short term and intermittent use.  Please check with your primary care provider and your pharmacist since ginger has been known to interfere with certain medications.

Ginger Tea Recipe for Energy, Weight Loss, and Glowing Skin

References

[1] Mahmoud, R.H., Elnour, W.A. comparative evaluation of the efficacy of ginger and orlistat on obesity management, pancreatic lipase and liver peroxisomal catalase enzyme in male albino rats.Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci. 2013;17:75–83.

[2] Mansour MS et al. Ginger consumption enhances the thermic effect of food and promotes feelings of satiety without affecting metabolic and hormonal parameters in overweight men: A pilot study. Metabolism. 2012, doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2012.03.016.

[3] Wiley. “Liver injury caused by herbals, dietary supplements rises in study population.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 September 2014. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140904084608.htm>.

[4] University of Georgia. “Daily ginger consumption eases muscle pain by 25 percent, study suggests.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 May 2010. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100519131130.htm>.

[5] Saenghong N, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S, Tongun T, Piyavhatkul N, Banchonglikitkul C, Kajsongkram T. Zingiber officinale Improves Cognitive Function of the Middle-Aged Healthy Women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012:383062.