How to Combat Colds and Flu with Homemade Ginger Tea

Pioneers knew the benefits of drinking ginger tea, an herbal concoction that has been around for more than 5000 years. Today, many people are returning to their roots in attempt to find ways to stay healthy without the use of manufactured drugs. For many people, ginger tea works to boost the immune system during the cold and flu season. If you do contract a cold or the flu, I have found that warm ginger tea soothes the throat and stomach better than over-the-counter medications. Ginger tea is safe, easy to prepare, and good to have on hand all winter long.

Things You'll Need

• fresh ginger
• cheese grater
• metal teapot or saucepan
• tea ball
• paring knife

Instructions

1. 

   Purchase fresh ginger from your local supermarket. I buy mine at Wal-Mart.

2. 

   Cut a one-inch slice from the end of the ginger. Peel the bark using a paring knife. Shred the peeled ginger using a cheese grater.

3. 

   Scoop the grated ginger into a tea ball. Drop the tea ball into boiling water and boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes to a half hour. Remove the tea ball and discard the shredded ginger. Serve the tea warm with sugar if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• The tea has a peppery taste and may need to be diluted until you get used to the taste.

• One cup of ginger tea has about 9 calories.