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When flu and cold season kicks into gear, I start disinfecting shopping carts, blending this elderberry smoothie, and making my soothing homemade ginger lemon honey tea. This is a classic cold remedy that combines ginger’s anti-inflammatory magic, lemon’s vitamin C boost, and honey’s soothing qualities.
Breath in deep while sipping on this homemade cold and flu remedy to relieve congestion while strengthening your immune system during cold and flu season. No one likes being sick, but having a batch of this tea on hand can really make a difference.
Ginger Lemon Honey Tea Health Benefits
This all-natural home remedy is my first defense when I get sick. It tastes amazing, makes me feel better quickly and speeds up recovery. Here’s some of my favorite health benefits of this tea:
- Ginger helps reduce inflammation and swelling in the body when fighting off a common cold. Fresh lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and neutralize the free radicals in the body.
- Fresh lemon juice has natural acidity to help break down mucus as well as alleviate congestion.
- Ginger contains a bioactive compound called gingerol, which helps you sweat out the toxins in your body, which is helpful when you have a cold or flu. It’s also a helpful home remedy for cough, settling upset stomachs, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweats.
- Raw local honey is a natural cough suppressant. It can also improve the body’s ability to fight infection and decrease the risk of fevers. Raw honey and warm water also helps sooth a sore throat, fight infection and help with seasonal allergies.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need three ingredients to make this Ginger Lemon Honey Tea. I like to batch it out into a large mason jar and store in the fridge until needed.
- Fresh lemons: use organic lemons or really scrub the peel to remove any pesticide or wax residue. You can create fresh lemon juice by squeezing by hand our using a juicer.
- Fresh ginger root: Found in the produce section. You’ll want to wash it well and cut into thin ginger slices. If you can’t find it, try using herbal ginger tea from a box.
- Raw honey: The natural sweetness of honey balances the tartness of the lemon + ginger. Use raw local honey or Manuka honey for the best results. Infants under one year of age should avoid honey as it can cause botulism.
How to Make Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
This ginger, lemon and honey tea is ideally made in a large batch to have all season long. It’s perfect for soothing a sore throat and relieving congestion in just a few minutes. You can make it fresh with hot water, slice of lemon, ginger, and honey, or you can make it in bulk like I do. Here’s my preferred method:
- Cut lemons and fresh ginger root into thin slices.
- Alternate layering into an airtight jar (ex: mason jar).
- Slowly, pour honey over the lemon slices and fresh ginger root and fill jar to the top. Seal tightly.
- Store in the refrigerator until needed.
- When ready to use, add a large scoop to a mug of hot water. Stir well and sip it down.
Storage Tip
I love using mason jars to store my home remedies, like this ginger lemon honey tea that’s in a quart-size mason jar with a wide mouth.
Common Questions
Lemon ginger honey tea offers numerous health benefits, including boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, and relieving cold symptoms. Ginger may help relieve nausea and increase digestive efficiency. The combination of ginger and honey tea provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while the lemon adds a dose of vitamin C. Together, these ingredients can help soothe sore throats, reduce nausea, and improve overall wellness.
Yes, lemon ginger tea can be an effective home remedy for cough relief. The ginger acts as a natural expectorant, helping to loosen mucus and ease coughing. To make ginger lemon tea for cough, simply add a bit more ginger when preparing the tea and sip it slowly. The honey helps soothe the throat, making it easier to manage coughing fits.
The lemon ginger tea benefits can be enhanced by the addition of honey, which is known for its antibacterial and soothing properties. Ginger is excellent for digestion and reducing inflammation, while honey helps coat and calm an irritated throat. Together, ginger and honey tea can help alleviate symptoms of colds and flu, improve digestion, and provide a natural energy boost.
More Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu
Thirteen years ago, I started on this wellness journey to discover the best home remedies for coughs, colds, and flu. Some we’re a bit wild and I only did once, whereas others were winners and I still use. Here are a few recipes that have stuck with me over the years:
- Elderberry Syrup: can be taken daily, and taken multiple times a day when experiencing cold or flu symptoms. And when you can make a medicinal syrup into popsicles for sore throats, I’m 100% in.
- Homemade Fire Cider: while this tonic is not for the faint of heart, it does wonders in limiting the life of a cold or the flu, and helps to strengthen the immune system along the way. This is one home remedy that’ll scare the cough right out of ya!
- Homemade Vapor Rub: this is a perfect natural remedy for cough + decongestant. Use it on the chest, as well as the feet to soothe.
Ginger Lemon Honey Tea
Ingredients
- 2 lemons organic
- 2 inch ginger root
- 1 cup raw honey
- 16-oz mason jar
Instructions
- Slice lemons and ginger.
- Place the lemon and ginger slices in the mason jar, alternating layers of each.
- Slowly, pour honey over the lemon and ginger. Allow the honey to sink down and around the lemon and ginger slices. Fill jar to the top with honey and seal tightly.
- Store in the refrigerator. Over time, the mixture will start to turn into a loose jelly.
- When you are in need of some soothing tea for cough, scoop 2-3 tablespoons into a mug full of hot water—be sure to scoop whole pieces of ginger and lemon. Allow to steep for 3-4 minutes and sip away.
Video
Notes
- Since lemons are going into this concentrate, make sure to wash them well before slicing.
- Use a jar with a tight-fitting lid to ensure this mixture stays protected.
- For best personal results, use raw, local honey that was made within the season you are using it.
I don’t have ginger root, and thanks to the quarantine I can’t make a trip just for that, but I have a bottle of minced ginger in the fridge! Could that work?
Abby, I think in a pinch that could work. If the minced ginger is in any sugar or vinegar solution, rinse it off before adding it to your jar with the lemon.
Would it work without honey?? I don’t have honey available
You can make a morning tonic using lemon and ginger. It will help you feel better but it won’t work exactly the same without honey. It’s still great, though. I drink it almost every morning to help alkalize my body. Here’s a link to the recipe: Morning Tonic
Can you put this in the freezer by any chance?
Alexa, I don’t think this is something that should be put in the freezer.
How long can this stay in the refrigerator?
Hi Juliet, we usually keep the mixture for about two months or until we use it all up. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this recipe. It tastes great.
So glad you like this, Belema! I love it because it works wonders *and* tastes good! (Not to mention it’s made with real, all-natural ingredients. 🙂 )
Is this okay to take while pregnant?
Ronetta, some sources say pregnant women shouldn’t eat raw honey while others say it’s fine so you will definitely want to speak with your own healthcare provider to be sure you do what’s best for you, your body, and the little life growing inside you.
Please what if I don’t have lemon can I use lime instead
Susan, it will change the taste and some of the benefits but in a pinch, you could use limes if you are out of lemons.
Thank you for the information. I’ve successfully prepared this home remedy and I like it already. This preparation is not only good for cough but it’s also very effective in asthma. Thanks for the post.
You’re so welcome, Winifred! 🙂
COLD season sucks sniffing sneezing and all that love the recipe thank you so so much what book of your have recipes and Homemade remedies in it if you can let me know so I can get the Book
Thank you again
Eva
You’re welcome, Eva! I’m including a link for you to a page that contains a list of all our natural remedies blog posts. I think you’ll find them very helpful! Simple Green Smoothies: Natural Remedies
Can the honey be substituted? I am wondering if say, maple syrup counts?
Darshana, I think using maple syrup, as long as it’s pure maple syrup, would be fine. You won’t get the exact benefits honey provides but maple syrup has its own great benefits.
I’ve tried this already, 3 times a day and in less than 1 week. It removes my 4month old could. Very effective.
Ralph, this is such a great remedy, isn’t it?! I make it to keep on hand every winter and it works like a charm. So glad to hear it helped you get rid of a cold you had for so long!
Taste great and does an even better job of zapping the symptoms of my cold and or potential flu right away! Jen keep conjuring;)
Erin, so true on all counts! I keep a jar of this in the fridge all winter long and it’s a lifesaver some days!
To reduce the tickle in your throat, use a thick, viscous gargle made with honey or honey and apple cider vinegar.
Thank you for sharing that with us!
Can this be used right away?
Hey Dee, it can def be used right away if needed!
Does this drink help get rid of a cold ?
Nykenji, it’s a great home remedy for a sore throat and the ingredients will help to shorten the life of your cold.
hello, Thanks for the recipe. How long can you store this home remedy in the refrigerator?
Hey Grace,
We have kept this in the fridge for up to a month. During cold season it doesn’t last long but for the off season I would suggest just checking it and making sure the coloring stays the same because it does last a really long time.
Hope that helps!