Ginger for Cold

The ginger plant originated from Southeast Asia, it has yellow flowers and a distinctive scent. This rhizome of the plant has many uses, one of these is to help to treat the common cold. A cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by many different viruses that penetrate into the mucous layer of the nose and throat.

How Ginger Helps To Treat Cold:

• Ginger is a natural antiviral which helps to fight against illness and bacteria that causes cold.
• It helps to stimulate perspiration that cleanses the system and brings down body temperature.
• It contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which help to boost up the immune system.
• It acts as an antihistamine and decongestant that helps to ease colds symptoms.
• It contains chemicals called sesquiterpenes which are specifically used to target rhinoviruses (the most common family of cold viruses)
• It is a natural pain and fever reducer and also a mild sedative.

How To Use:

You can use ginger in many ways to get rid of a cold. These are the most common home remedies to cure colds.

1. Ginger, Lemon and Honey Tea

Method 1:

• Add a cup of boiling water to grated ginger and allow to steep for 3 minutes.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (to boost up the immune system) and a tablespoon of honey (an antibiotic that helps to soothe your throat) together and strain the ginger tea into it.
• Stir it well to dissolve the honey.
• Drink this tea regularly to help.

Method 2:

• Chop a 3 inch piece of fresh ginger.
• Add to 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 cups of boiling water.
• Stir well and then cover it with plastic wrap for about 10 minutes.
• Strain the solution and drink.

You can add any of below listed ingredients to above remedies for added benefits.

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon acts as antiseptic that helps to kill the cold virus. It also soothes sore throat and promotes sweating to clear the cold and its symptoms.

• Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your ginger tea and drink.

Garlic:

Garlic boosts immune system and acts as an antiviral that works against the cold bug.

• Add crushed garlic to above tea and cover with water.
• Steep for 20 minutes then strain and drink.

Cayenne:

Cayenne relieves a sore throat and thins mucus. It also acts as an immune system booster.

• Add a pinch of cayenne to the tea before steeping.
• You can also add cinnamon along with cayenne.
• Alternatively add a couple drops of Tabasco or hot pepper sauce before drinking.

2. Ginger Ale

Ginger ale gives relief from the cold and its symptoms. It is one of the best way to settle your stomach, reduces stuffy sinuses and coughing.

Process:

• Add a cup of sugar and ¼ teaspoon of fresh granular bakers yeast to a bottle using a funnel.
• Grate 2 tablespoons of fresh ginger and mix with the juice of a whole lemon or grapefruit.
• Add this to the bottle along with water.
• Put the cap on and shake the bottle to help the carbonation process.
• Reopen the bottle and fill it with fresh, cool and clean water.
• Shake again and place in a warm location for up to 24 – 48 hours.
• If the bottle is hard to squeeze then place it back in the refrigerator as the carbonation process is not complete. Use the next day.
• Open the bottle and allow it to go flat.
• Pour it in a glass and sip it as needed.
• Follow this process regularly to get rid of cold symptoms.

3. Ginger with Cayenne Pepper

• Take a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and mix it with a teaspoon of ground ginger.
• Stir it well and sprinkle it in your socks before wearing.
• This process helps to keep your feet warm and you will sweat out the toxins to get clear the cold and its symptoms.

4. Ginger with Honey, Lemon

• Take a whole lemon, 8 oz of small canning jar and a 1.5” square nob of ginger and honey.
• Cut the lemon into slices and grate the ginger and put them into the jar.
• Mix it well and add honey full of jar.
• Leave for a few hours, have lemon piece and a teaspoon of honey.
• After using keep the jar in the refrigerator for further usage.
• Do not give to children below 1 year age.

5. Ginger

• Cut 10 grams of ginger into small pieces.
• Boil these ginger pieces in a cup of water until boiling point.
• Strain the tea and drink this twice a day.
• You can include ginger either in raw or cooked form or by drinking it in tea or tincture form in your diet.

6. Cold Ginger Chicken Sauce:

Ingredients:

• Chicken – 3 ½ pounds
• Sesame oil – 2 tablespoons
• Peanut/ vegetable/ corn/ olive oil – 1/4 cup
• Finely chopped ginger – 1/2 cup
• Finely minced green onions – 1/2 cup
• Salt – 1 teaspoon as per taste

Process:

• Place chicken in a covered stock pot filled with enough water to cover the chicken.
• Bring it to a boil and simmer for about 25 minutes.
• Then the chicken becomes tender, turn off the heat and let the chicken stand for another 25 minutes.
• Wash the chicken under cold water, pat dry and then rub it lightly with sesame oil.
• Cut the chicken into pieces and refrigerate until it is cold.
• Heat oil in a saucepan and then add ginger and green onions.
• Cook for about 30 seconds and then add salt.
• Finally pour the hot sauce over cold chicken and then eat.

7. Ginger Soup:

Ginger soup helps to prevent cold and its symptoms. You can try any of the combinational soups with ginger as the main ingredient. Here are some recipes.

Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter – 3 tablespoons
• Carrots – 1 ½ lbs (peeled and sliced thin)
• White Onion – 2 cups (chopped)
• Ginger – 1 tablespoon (minced)
• Vegetable broth (or chicken stock) – 2 cups
• Water – 2 cups
• Orange Zest– 3 strips
• Chives – (chopped, parsley, dill or fennel for garnish)
• Salt – as per taste

Process:

• Melt the butter and cook onions and carrots until they become soft for about 5 – 8 minutes.
• Sprinkle a teaspoon of salt over it and add stock, water, ginger and the strips of orange zest.
• Simmer, cover and cook until carrots become softer for about 20 minutes.
• Remove the strips of orange zest.
• Pour the soup into blender bowl, adding salt as per taste.
• Take out from the blender and garnish with chopped chives, parsley or fennel fronds.
• Drink while hot.
• Regular intake of soup helps to clear cold symptoms.

Try all these methods to get rid of a cold. Do you have any other ginger remedies for cold? If you have, then share your experience with us.