The sweetness of honey against the sharp spiciness of ginger may not be a pair you can easily think of. But combining honey and ginger not only combines their multiple health benefits and healing properties but also offers a peculiar balance of sweetness and spice that is unmatched. Several renditions of this combination – teas, alternative medicines, and more – have existed for ages in several cultures. Let’s take a closer look at what this combination has to offer.
Health Benefits of Honey & Ginger
A mixture of ginger and honey can work wonders for the body. Here are some of the health benefits you can look forward to.
Might Provide Cough and Cold Relief
Traditionally, the most popular uses of honey and ginger together were for treating cough, cold, and other respiratory issues. Several cultures across the world use this combination for relief from symptoms such as a sore throat or a runny nose. While we do not have a relevant study on this particular combination, individual researches on ginger and honey have found that these two might relieve the common cold and cough.
The book Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects credited gingerol in ginger with its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This could help in relieving the symptoms of a cold. Another study, published in the Journal of Family Practice found that a spoonful of honey before bedtime could relieve cough in children. However, keep in mind that honey is not recommended for children younger than a year. [1] [2]
You can use this as an accessible home remedy for quick relief from the symptoms. Use a spoonful of dry ginger powder or fresh ginger juice mixed with equal amounts of honey. For additional benefits, you can also add crushed peppercorns or powdered cinnamon. The combination is also used with black pepper is also used to manage asthma symptoms in traditional medicine.
Alternatively, try our Delicious Homemade Ginger Tea Recipe. For more options, check out our 6 Best Teas For A Cold.
It is easy to make ginger tea at home from scratch. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
May Ease Nausea
Ginger is commonly used to provide relief from nausea. This is especially effective for nausea, morning sickness, and vomiting during pregnancy. Ginger tea with honey might have a similar effect. The addition of honey makes it more palatable for people who don’t like the taste of raw ginger.
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Might Contain Antioxidant Properties
Ginger and honey individually are known to have potent antioxidant properties. Individually, these ingredients may protect our bodies against free radicals, which in turn offers protection against cardiovascular conditions and several other diseases. Combining the two can give us a double boost of these powerful protective biological compounds. An animal study published in BioMed Research International found that that the combination of ginger and gelam honey may have provided a more powerful boost of antioxidants in rats with diabetes than either of those ingredients alone. It might have led to a reduction in oxidative stress and thus aided diabetes management.
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May Aid Digestion
A ginger and honey tonic or syrup is believed to be a good digestive aid due to the possible inherent digestive properties of ginger. Just one teaspoon of ginger and honey tonic can help people with a weak digestive system. Ginger was used in Indian and Chinese medicine to treat gastric ailments like bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Honey was revered in other traditional schools of medicine for treating gastrointestinal problems. An article published in the journal Food Quality and Safety found that it might improve the microbial balance in the gut.
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Might Protect Heart Health
The antioxidant properties of this tonic can benefit the functioning of our heart. The moderating effects of the mix might ease blood vessel tension, thereby reducing blood pressure and the chances of conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. In fact, the American Heart Association lists a honey-ginger fruit dip among its recommended recipes. [9] [10]
How to Take Honey & Ginger?
There are many ways you can combine honey and ginger. Some of these you can make at home, while some you can buy. These are simple ideas that you prepare quickly.
- Candies: The easiest way is to buy ginger honey candies or crystals for a quick and easy fix.
- Tea: Try our Delicious Homemade Ginger Tea Recipe
- Concentrate: Mix half a teaspoon of ginger root juice with the same amount of honey and swallow it in one go.
- Shots: Add a teaspoon of the concentrate to a shot of lemon juice for a spicy-sweet kick.
- Slices: Keep slices of ginger in a jar of honey in your fridge. Just nibble the honeyed-ginger when you want a quick fix.
Ginger Slices in Honey Recipe
We have an easy recipe for ginger slices in honey with an added ingredient, lemon. These three antioxidant-rich foods make a quick and surprisingly flavorful combination. You can use the ginger honey water or just enjoy the honeyed ginger slices.
Detox Ginger Slices In Honey
Ingredients
- 1 inch ginger
- 2 unwaxed lemons
- 1 cup honey
Instructions
- This recipe can be made with both peeled and unpeeled ginger. So, use your preference. Just slice the ginger as thinly as possible and keep aside.
- Slice the lemons thinly. We recommend removing the seeds.
- Layer the lemon and ginger slices in a mason jar. We recommend using a 16 oz jar. Do not pack everything too lightly.
- Pour over the honey, making sure that it goes to the bottom. You may want to stir the mix to ensure that the honey goes in between the ginger and lemon slices.
- Close the jar tightly. Let it marinate for at least 12 hours. Keep the mixture in your fridge to protect from spoiling.
- You will see that the light lemon and ginger juices tend to come to the top, while the heavier honey settles at the bottom. To use, stir the mix with a spoon. Take a spoon of the lemony-ginger-honey water and add it to a cup of hot or warm water. Your ginger-honey drink is ready.
- Some people also enjoy eating the honeyed ginger slices!
Notes
Write to us in the comments below and tell us if you liked the recipe. Which one do you prefer, the honey-ginger water or the honeyed ginger slices?
