There’s no denying that we have all been there when writing after a lavish heavy meal: that sudden feeling of burning chest pain, indigestion or stomach cramps that makes you reach for a tasteless fizzy antacid liquid or tablets.
But is it sustainable in the long run? No wonder millions of people around the world rely on over-the-counter medications to survive a spicy meal or a stressful week. But what if there was a permanent fix sitting right in your kitchen? Well, here’s an age-old Ayurvedic homemade ginger tea that can naturally soothe your digestive tract so effectively that it might make you forget your antacid routine entirely. So, read on to find out…Why Ginger?Ginger contains active chemical compounds called gingerols and shogaols.
Ginger is like a helper for your stomach. It gets your stomach moving. Helps your body make saliva and bile. This makes your stomach work better. Helps food move out of your stomach faster. So you do not have much acid building up and going back up into your throat.How does ginger work?Ginger is different from the antacids you buy in stores. Those antacids just stop the acid in your stomach from working. Ginger goes deeper and fixes the real problem with your stomach, which is the ginger.
The ginger helps your stomach work properly so you do not have many problems with acid. It acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory, calming the irritated lining of your stomach wall. It also helps tighten the lower esophageal sphincter, which is the muscular valve responsible for keeping stomach acid exactly where it belongs.
The age-old Ayurvedic elixirMaking a simple cup of ginger tea requires a bit more care than just throwing a tea bag into hot water.
You want to start with a fresh piece of ginger root, about the size of your thumb. Wash it thoroughly, but leave the skin on, as many of the beneficial oils live right beneath the surface. Next, slice the ginger into thin coins or grate it roughly to maximize the surface area. Bring two cups of water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan, add the ginger, and immediately turn the heat down to low.
Cover the pan with a lid to trap the essential oils from escaping through the steam.
The water should turn a pale yellow or amber color and carry a strong, spicy aroma. Remove it from the heat, strain out the ginger pieces, and let it cool down to a comfortable sipping temperature.Way to boost its powerTo boost the healing properties, consider stirring in a teaspoon of raw honey and a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Honey provides an extra layer of soothing coating for an inflamed throat and stomach, while lemon, though acidic outside the body, actually has an alkalizing effect once metabolized.What’s the best way to consumeThe best way to drink this warm elixir is about twenty to thirty minutes before your largest meal of the day, or sip it slowly the moment you feel the first twinges of indigestion. It provides the immediate relief you look for in a pill but helps your body build a stronger, more resilient digestive system over time.