GINGER TEA, ITS HEALTH BENEFITS AND SOME POPULAR RECIPESGinger Tea has been a favorite drink among the rural folks of Sri Lanka for generations. Sri Lankans have been consuming a plain cuppa to invigorate themselves not knowing it has several other health benefits. A steaming cup filled with this liquid mixture can warm you up on a cold, dull morning and awaken your senses. For centuries, this humble root has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments.
HEALTH BENEFITSHere are some of the health benefits: • A powerful substance in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Its powder induces cell death of ovarian cancer cells. • Ginger tea slows the growth of colorectal cancer cells. • Effective for morning sickness. • Relieves heart burn - It has proved very successful for this problem; however, too much ginger itself can cause heart burn. • Effective remedy for nausea associated with motion sickness. • A natural painkiller. • A natural treatment for colds, flu, stomach ailments and even food poisoning. It has a positive effect on the human digestive system. • Provides relief to migraine.
Some RecipesSome simple methods to give your cup of Ginger Tea some varieties:
1. PLAIN BREW
As I said before, Giner tea has been in use for generations as a home remedy against cold, flu, sore throat, indigestion, nausea and head-ache. This is a simple way of preparing a cup Sri Lankan style: 1 Cup of Plain Brew at the strength you prefer - A pinch of Crushed pieces of fresh ginger - Little piece of Kitul Juggery (a type of palm found in Sri Lanka, which produces sugar syrup) for Sri Lankan style - Honey and/or slice of lemon for other styles While preparing your cuppa, pour boiling water into the pot with tea leaves adding the crushed pieces of fresh roots at the same time cover the tea pot and allow it to simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the liquid out and at this stage you can add lemon and honey to taste, if preferred, or you can take the tea with only some sugar to your taste. -------------------
2. CRUSHED ICED RECIPE For those who are used to iced tea, to make a lovely refreshing cup of tea, this is an ideal method after a hot day’s work: 5 cups of water - Thinly sliced fresh piece of ginger - Sugar to taste - 2 to 4 sliced lemon - Some crushed Ice - 3 to 5 teaspoons of Green tea or Black tea depending on the strength preferred -
Boil the water in a saucepan and add the black tea. Add the sliced ginger into the pan and heat for about 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. Then strain out the ingredients and refrigerate the brew until it is cold. Remove and sweeten with sugar, serve with slices of lemon as garnish in tall glasses which have crushed ice in them. ---------------------------------------
3. SPICY SPECIAL Ingredients required: 5 Pods Cardamom - 5 Cloves - 2 Cups Milk, low fat - 5 Teaspoons Tea leaves, Black or green - Sugar to taste - 5 slices of Fresh Sliced Ginger
Put cardamom, sliced roots and cloves in to a saucepan with 5 cups of water and bring to boil. Once boiled, allow it to simmer for 10 minutes and add tea and milk and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. After straining the tea, add sugar to taste and serve hot.
NOTE: It is widely believed in Sri Lanka that any combination of this item with Manioc is harmful and must be avoided.
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