After a late night plane ride to Hawaii this January, I could tell that my immune system was struggling to adapt to the stress of travel. I tend to have EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) flare-ups during the winter anyway, regardless of whether I stay at home or not.
I was so happy to visit the nearby farmer's market the next day and pick up some fresh, local turmeric and ginger root. I decided to use these ingredients to create a tea to boost my immune system. After boiling the roots in spring water, I stirred in raw honey and fresh lemon juice. The resulting drink was so delicious and energizing. I called it my Island Tea.
Each ingredient in this nourishing turmeric and ginger tea offers unique immunity supporting benefits. A variety of studies indicate that curcumin, a substance found in turmeric root, improves the health and adaptability of immune cells. (1) Ginger strengthens digestive health, which is important because the gut is a significant component of the immune system in adults. (2)
Honey, which tempers the tart lemon and spicy ginger in this recipe, can function as an effective all-natural cough suppressant. (3) And colorful fruits and vegetables of any kind, including citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges, can improve immune function. (4) In combination, these ingredients create a warm and invigorating drink that’s great for sipping any time of day.
I’ve made this immune support tea a few times since January, sometimes adding a black tea bag to the finished drink for a little hit of caffeine. However, since tea is acidic, we opted to keep the base recipe below tea-free. Feel free to add a tea bag to your mug after the last step if you like!
Serves 4 (Click here to print!)
Ingredients:
3-inch chunk fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
3-inch chunk fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped
48 oz. water
2 teaspoons raw honey
Juice of 2 lemons
Step 1: Bring water, ginger and turmeric to boil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Step 2: Stir in honey and lemon juice. Strain tea into 4 mugs and serve with additional honey and lemon wedges if desired.
This post is not meant to diagnose or treat disease, nor is it medical advice. Please consult with your medical practitioner for advice and treatment regarding viruses and immune health.
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Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and HormoneDetoxShop.com.
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