Ginger Honey Tea

I love all things ginger, but when I read that ginger tea before bed ould possibly give you more solid and productive sleep, I begin incorporating it into our nighttime ritual in the form of a beautifully comforting, warm and aromatic cup of ginger tea.

Ginger is a zingy root that you probably know from Asian cooking.  Very popular in our favorite Chinese dishes, but it is so much more than that.

The tuber is used in folk medicine as well as holistic approaches to everything from arthritis to the common cold.  Ginger lozenges are common as a sore throat remedy and also as an anti-nausea medicine.

Ginger can proportedly reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve blood circulation and help manage blood sugar levels.  It may also protect against certain cancers and age related cognitive decline.  What's not to love? 

LETTING THE GINGER SIMMER IN THE WATER FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES

Having heard that this sipper may potentially give me better REM sleep, allowing my body to repair and restore more effectively made me decide to give it a try.  Propping my legs up for a few minutes as I slowly and leisurely sip on a small cup of warm ginger tea as part of my bedtime ritual is comforting, like the kind of comforting that makes you close your eyes and breath it in.  It quite light a flavorful,  being more or less zingy depending on how much and the potency of the ginger I use and every so slightly sweet from the honey, which also makes this taste almost buttery.

KEEP THE LEFTOVER TEA IN A JAR IN YOUR FRIDGE FOR UP TO A WEEK. GREAT HOT OR ICED.

Whether you decide to make this part of your bedtime ritual or simply want to sip a cup on a rainy day, this ginger tea is certainly worth the minimal effort it requires.

I keep my jar in the fridge with the ginger still in it for up to a week.  It's also great chilled as a vibrant afternoon pick me up over ice and with a sprig of mint.

Ginger Honey Tea

Makes 4 servings

4 cups water
1-2 large thumbs of fresh ginger root, roughly chopped in chunks
2 tablespoons honey (or to taste)

Place water in a sauce pan and add the ginger (I love my clear saucepan for this). Allow the water to come to a boil, then turn the heat down to low, cover and allow to simmer for 20 minutes. 
Add honey to taste, stir and serve.

You can add more or less honey depending on your taste and mood.  

This is also great chilled, served over ice with a sprig of mint,