Ginger is a flowering plant that hails from China. It is a part of the Zingiberaceae family and is a close relative to cardamom, turmeric, and galangal.

The underground part of the stem, known as the rhizome, is the part that is most commonly used as a spice, it is often referred to as ginger root.

Ginger is no stranger to the homeopathic and traditional medicine scene. For centuries, its healing powers have been embraced by countless cultures. This root packs a powerful nutritional punch and is loaded with minerals including potassium, manganese, copper and magnesium. It is also high in vitamins C, A and E.

Ginger has long been used to help remedy an upset stomach and keep nausea at bay. In addition, it has been used to combat pain, fire up metabolism, reduce inflammation, boost brain power, improve cognitive function and strengthen the immune system.

You might be familiar with ginger ale, ginger tea and ginger candy, but another incredibly beneficial tonic is a mixture of some powerful, yet super simple ingredients.

Ginger water is made from four ingredients, water, lemon, raw honey, and ginger. It’s that simple.

Ingredients:

2-inch piece of ginger

3 cups filtered warm water

1 lemon

1 tsp of organic raw honey – Nature Nate’s Unfiltered Raw Honey is our favorite.

Instructions:

Grate the ginger and add 2-3 cups of water and juice from the lemon. Stir in the honey. Add more to taste. Enjoy several times throughout the day.

What makes ginger water so special?

Let’s dig a little deeper into the healing benefits of this easy-to-make elixir.

Healing elements in ginger:

Potassium: Potassium has the primary job of regulating fluid balance and controlling the heart and other muscles. To support key bodily functions, we need about 100 mg of potassium daily. Having enough potassium has been linked to a 20% reduction in risk of dying from all causes, a reduced risk of stroke, preservation of bone and mineral density, a reduction in the formation of kidney stones and reduced blood pressure.

Manganese: This element is critical in the formation of connective tissue, bones, blood-clotting factors and sex hormones. It is also very important in fat and carbohydrate metabolism in addition to calcium absorption, brain and nerve function and blood sugar regulation.

Copper: Copper is a very important trace mineral that helps to form hemoglobin and collagen within the body. A copper deficiency results in poorly formed red blood cells, known as anemia. Also, it is an antioxidant that helps with the elimination of free radicals.

Magnesium: Magnesium plays a critical role in some biochemical processes that are always happening inside of our cells. A deficiency in magnesium can impact many systems including the brain, the muscles, the heart and blood vessels.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and is found in concentrated amounts in vegetables and fruits. It is a potent antioxidant that helps the body maintain connective tissue. Also, vitamin C also helps boost the immune system, reduce hypertension, can help in the treatment of cancer, lead toxicity, and strokes.

Healing elements in lemons:

Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, citric acids, and flavonoids. They are also a good source of B-complex vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and fiber. Here are just a few ways that lemons and fresh lemon juice can improve your health:

B-complex vitamins: This group of B vitamins includes B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12. Known as natural immune-busters, this group of B vitamins can also help improve heart health, reduce anxiety, ease skin problems and help improve or eliminate depression. Vitamin B2 is essential for the nervous and digestive systems, B5 and B12 and needed for normal growth and development; B7 is vital in the production of hormones and B9 helps the cells make and maintain DNA.

Calcium: Calcium is the most important mineral in the body. Every cell in the human body needs calcium for something. Calcium helps us to have strong bones and teeth. It plays a role in muscle contraction, the transmission of messages through the nerves and the release of hormones.

Copper: Copper is important in the formation of red blood cells. It also keeps the blood vessels, immune system, nerves, and bones healthy in addition to helping in iron absorption.

Iron: Iron is a key component of hemoglobin (the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body).

Phosphorus: Phosphorus, next to calcium, it the second most abundant mineral in the human body. Its key job is in the formation of bones and teeth. Phosphorus is also needed for the growth and repair of cells and tissues.

Potassium: Potassium has several jobs within the body including, building proteins and muscles, controlling electrical activity of the heart, breaking down carbohydrates and controlling the acid-base balance.

Whole lemons and juice from fresh lemons have been proven useful in the following ways:

Help restore body pH

Help cleanse the liver

Help fight off infection

Help ward off viruses

Helps lower high blood sugar

Help cleanse bowels

Help reduce allergies

In addition to all of these benefits, lemons contain 22 anti-cancer properties including limonene. This substance has been found to slow the growth of tumors in animals. Lemons also contain a substance called flavonol glycosides which stops cell division in cancer cells.

Healing elements in raw honey:

Raw honey is one of nature’s finest energy sources. This delicious gift from the bees is loaded with nutritional and therapeutic value. Honey contains protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin C, folate, potassium, and choline.

To start with, raw honey has powerful antifungal and antibacterial properties. Research shows that honey, applied topically, can speed wound healing. This antioxidant-rich liquid gold has been shown to help control blood sugar, improve cholesterol, reduce seasonal allergy symptoms and boost immunity.

How can ginger water boost my health?

When you combine such powerful compounds such as those found in ginger, lemon and honey into ginger water, you are bound to get pretty dramatic therapeutic value. Here are just some of the benefits:

Decrease inflammation Decrease and prevent nausea Protect from free radicals Protect from cancer Boost immune system Boost energy Balance body Improve digestion Boost metabolism Improve circulation

Enjoy this simple tonic throughout the day to help improve your overall health and wellbeing.