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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.
Thank you for this easy, YUMMY home remedy!! I thankfully had ginger on hand, because I love your banana + ginger packed green smoothie in your amazing book!!!
Awesome Samantha! We love ginger too!
lovely
It’s my first aid kit when having some sore throat, and hey ..!! it never disappoints..I love, love love this concoction…
This looked like an easy recipe, so I made it up and put it in the refrigerator about 2-3 months ago. Four days ago I came down with this head cold; sore throat, headache, runny nose. Everything seemed yukky to me. Then I remembered this concoction. Good grief! It tasted so darn good! I had it in a smaller mason jar and have gone through it as of today; and feeling much better! Time to make more.
This stuff is the real deal! I’ve been making batches of it every winter for years now. Thanks Jen for such an awesome and effective recipe!
You can say that again!! It’s the best!
How long can I keep the recipe in the refrigerator??
Betty, it will last a few months in the fridge. 🙂
With the flu season coming and corona, I am always looking for home remedies to try and prevent it while boosting my immune system. I much rather prefer to do home remedies than medications.
Ashley, we always prefer homemade, natural remedies over store-bought and over-the-counter options if we can help it! 🙂
I’ve been trying for the last week to remember where I saw this recipe and I just remembered today. I’m going to make this this weekend for flu season.
So glad you found it, Sandra! It’s great to have on hand during cold and flu season.
This is in my fridge every year!
Mine too! 😀
Over the counter cough syrups that are ‘safe for kids’ never work for my kiddos. Can’t wait to try these remedies with them!
Let us know how it works out for your family, Kat!
Cold season is coming, so I need to prep this & have it on hand.
This is a great remedy to prep and have ready when cold and flu season arrives.
I have a jar of this ready to go for the winter; a tried and true staple in our home.
Awesome, Erin! It’s a great one to always have ready.
This sounds like a great recipe. However that large amount of raw honey would be expensive. Does it work as well to just make an individual cup of sliced lemon, ginger, honey and hot water when needed?
You can definitely do that if it will be a better budget-friendly option. 🙂
It is great!! My girlfriend is sick so this will help her heaps!! Thank you!!
You’re welcome! Hope she feels better soon. 🙂
What if no lemon is it okey to use calamansi?
Josie, if that’s what you have access to, I think that should work ok.
Can you drink the honey like that without put it in hot water
Can i use organic honey for this homemade
Yes, we recommend local raw organic honey.
I don’t advise it. That would make it very (too) strong tasting and adding hot water to the mixture makes it nice and warm, which will be soothing to your throat and warm you from the inside.
Thank you for your help I this troubled time! I am into lemons and herbs but needed support since I have not been ankle to research remedies as much as I’d like. I have Mullien ready for teas but wanted more for confidence. My husband told some since he’s older he’ll stay at home and I’ll need to treat him since there may be no respirator for him. My greatest strength is knowing Good is in control and friends like you to help for such a time as this!
You’re welcome, Crystal! Safe + healthy vibes to you and your family. 🙂