Ginger Lemon Turmeric Tea is a warming, anti-inflammatory tea that I enjoy regularly to help with abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, and digestive issues.
You may have heard of turmeric–this amazing root that has quite an impressive list of medicinal properties. From fighting inflammation, to helping manage pain, to stimulating the antioxidant response in the body, the benefits are plentiful.
So you can imagine why I love to sip on this regularly. Since I began drinking it, I’ve noticed improvements in my digestion, gut health, and skin (fewer blemishes!).
What Are the Health Benefits of Turmeric?
Turmeric offers several health benefits. The active compound responsible for those benefits is called curcumin. So let’s break down these health benefits:
1) Anti-inflammatory effects: chronic (long-term) inflammation has been linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer and autoimmune diseases. Curcumin has been shown to be just as effective in treating inflammation (especially in arthritis) as pharmaceutical drugs, minus the side effects!
2) Mental health: some small studies have shown that turmeric was just as effective as some antidepressants. More studies need to be done though. My thought on this…maybe the gut-healing properties (due to the anti-inflammatory properties reducing gut inflammation) help with depressive symptoms, since the gut and brain are connected? Hmm…
3) Eases menstrual pain: Several studies have shown that curcumin has been shown to reduce PMS and menstrual pain. A systematic review of six clinical trials showed similar results with oral ginger.
How to Make Ginger Lemon Turmeric Tea
This recipe is very simple, thankfully. I use fresh ginger root, powdered turmeric, fresh lemons, and raw local honey. I would recommend purchasing fresh ginger root. It’s typically not too expensive, and I prefer the flavor over the dried stuff you’ll find in tea packets. I find that fresh ginger is much more warming, which is part of the relief factor.
You’ll want to start with boiling your water in a medium saucepan. As a general rule, I usually do one to one and a half cups of water to one inch of ginger root. However, after making this a few times you’ll know how strong you like your tea and can add more water to dilute the mixture.
Next, you’ll want to wash all of your produce and prepare them. I like to slice the ginger root into slices about 1/8-1/4 inches thick. Slice the lemon(s) into slices about 1/4 in thick. Carefully add the ginger and lemon slices into the nearly boiling water. Then I add the turmeric powder and black pepper. I let that simmer for several minutes, and then pour it into a mug. Lastly, I let it cool a bit and add some honey just before drinking!
I do this every time I have menstrual pain, sore muscles after a workout, or any digestive issues. It works wonders, and I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: This recipe is not intended to be used in place of medical advice. Talk to your doctor before stopping or starting any medications, including ones for pain.
Ginger Lemon Turmeric Tea
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- knife
Ingredients
- 3 1-inch cuts fresh ginger root, sliced
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 whole lemon, sliced
- 3 tbsp raw local honey or to taste
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Begin by heating six cups of water to a gentle boil. In the meantime, wash and slice ginger, lemon, and turmeric (if using fresh).
- Add sliced lemon and ginger to nearly boiling water. Add the turmeric, then the black pepper.
- Allow this to simmer for 8-10 minutes, covered. You may notice a golden yellow foam forms (if you used powdered turmeric); that's okay! Make sure you watch the pot so it doesn't boil over!
- Next, remove the saucepan from heat and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. Add honey to taste and enjoy!
