Ginger (as in Gingerol, not the redheads) For the MF Win This Cold and Flu Season

*(though I do know of a couple of redheads that might be able to help too)

It’s cold season, and I got it bad. Even in Mexico City, where it doesn’t get that cold, my throat, my ears, my head, and my energy have been suffering. I was just drinking plain old tea you buy at the store, but today, after some heavy recommendations from people around me (digitally and physically), I decided to make my own GINGER tea, no leaves, no bag. Why? Because ginger is actually proven to kick a cold’s ass. Not like, I read it on the internet somewhere. I talked to people who have studied plants and health, and then looked up some things on trusted sites for medical info. It isn’t for anyone else I did this, but I do want to share it. I can’t afford to be sick at all right now, and I can’t stand it either, lying idly around in misery. Netflix only helps for a little while, and then I start feeling like I have bed sores too quickly.

Anyway, why ginger?

Ginger contains Gingerol, the main bioactive compound in ginger, which gives it many of its medicinal properties. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. My throat is inflamed. Let’s see how the ginger works. —from the US National Library of Medicine

Gingerol also can help fight infections by inhibiting the growth of lots of different bacteria. It possesses “effective anti-bacterial activity against multi-drug clinical pathogens and can be used for prevention of drug resistant microbial diseases.” —US National Library of Medicine

That’s some of the documented science I found, aside from the friends that I have that are doctors, health professionals, pharmacists, etc. I also find ancient Chinese/Asian medicine practices useful, and ginger was a major component in treating most illnesses back then (and today too; they didn’t stop, actually). Not to mention, I bet every naturopath you ask would recommend ginger in fighting a cold (whether or not you believe they are experts in medicine, they do have to study plants extensively to become certified). Many have told me to add ginger to my diet all winter.

Some people also told me to put garlic in my tea because of its own amazing health-boosting abilities, particularly in relation to the immune system. I’ll do that (and ruin the flavor of my tea) tomorrow if this doesn’t seem to have made me feel any better.

Making ginger tea is about the easiest and least expensive tea ever (way less than even the cheapest tea you buy in a box or can). You need:

water
fresh ginger

I also added:

lemon
honey

Some people say you have to skin the ginger before you boil it, but I didn’t. Why would I eliminate some of the healing properties of the plant? I like my food and beverages to taste earthy, anyway. Here are the steps for making the tea:

Boil 6 quarter-sized pieces of ginger with two cups of water.

When it starts boiling, turn the heat down to simmer, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

While it is simmering, if you are adding my extras, put the juice of half a lemon and a bit of honey in your mug.

When the 15 minutes of simmering are up, pour the ginger tea into your mug. You can strain out the pieces of ginger if you want, but I didn’t.

That’s all. I guess it is a little bit more work than buying bags of tea, but barely. The ginger itself cost me 3 pesos (around 10 US cents). I bought enough for about 10 cups of tea.

I imagine some combination of it being super effective and the placebo effect will have me feeling better soon soon. I will never underestimate the power of the mind in treating my illnesses. Maybe soon I can add ginger to that list, too.

I might use some of the ginger to make an apple/carrot/ginger/lime juice also. Kale soup is in the works for my dinner tonight as well (pretty sure ginger is unrelated to that one, but kale is one of my favorite superfoods).

Once I'm well, I'm definitely going to be adding some whiskey to that ginger tea, too ;)

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In case you were wondering why it is imperative I get well soon, I’ll tell you my little schedule.

Wednesday night I was invited to a dinner party by my foodie friend who gives food tours around Mexico City, so I can’t miss that. I love food.

Thursday night my roommate’s friend has her restaurant opening party.

Friday is a Christmas gathering of a friend, people who I like and also people who they know who I need to network with (both for my poetry project and to make more friends here).

Saturday night and Sunday afternoon/evening, Omar has shows!

Anyway, I bet some of you are also sick, because it is cold and flu season, so let’s all drink ginger together and get well so we can make the world a better place instead of lying in bed for days on end.

xoxo

*the redheads are @kindstranger and @amyinautumn (if only they were hereeeee).