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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 gingerโs anti-inflammatory magic, lemonโs vitamin C boost, and honeyโs 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. Hereโs 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. Itโs 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 bodyโs 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 Youโll 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. Youโll want to wash it well and cut into thin ginger slices. If you canโt 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. Itโs 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. Hereโs 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 thatโs in a quart-size mason jar with a wide mouth.
Common Questions
What are the benefits of Ginger Lemon Honey Tea?
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.
Can Ginger Lemon Honey Tea help with a cough?
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.
What are the benefits of using ginger and honey in tea?
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 weโre 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, Iโm 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 thatโll 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
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 waterโbe 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.
It looks like you donโt need to peel the ginger for thisโฆis that correct? Thank you!
Hi Tana,
No need to peel, as youโll be steeping the ginger instead of consuming.
Cheers ๐
Hi all, Thanks for this! What a great idea! Iโve been putting about a thumb size of fresh ginger in about a litre of water and bringing it to the boil and simmering for around 10 mins and then adding honey and lemon juice but never thought of doing it this way! Really looking forward to trying this. ๐
Hi Melanie,
Rawesome! Cheers to health + happiness!
Can I make the anti cold mixture / store bought honey? I donโt have a clue where I could get the raw honey.
Iโve never written to you before, but I read all your mail and love the smoothies!! You two have opened my eyes!! Thank you, and a healthy winter to itโs all!!
Hi Shelley,
Of course! Iโm lucky to have honey hives just down the street from my house!
Just so you have an idea of the difference -honey in its natural state has enzymes and nutrients in it that are destroyed by the heat (especially the high heat from pasteurization), while raw honey retains all of those nutrients to give the maximum health benefits. While you can sometimes find raw honey in your grocery aisle, pasteurized or raw youโll still be reaping major health benefits!!
Cheers ๐
DOSE GINGER WORK COLD?? IF I DRINK IT COLD
Hi Gaby,
Iโve always found the flavor infuses best when added to warm water, but itโs worth a try! Looking for a great immunity boost, try adding ginger to your favorite green smoothie in the morning! I add about 1 inch of fresh ginger to most recipes, I love the added spice!
Cheers ๐
i made the flu remedy a few days ago. the honey is now a much thinner consistency, but the lemon and ginger seem too firm to scoop out a piece. will they get softer and jelly like? or should they just be cut into small bits that are easy to scoop out with a spoonful?
Hi Rachek,
Thanks for reaching out! The lemon + ginger will soften over time, but if youโre finding the remedy hard to scoop slicing the lemon + ginger into smaller pieces may help!
Cheers to health, happiness, + leafy greens!
Hi, I made this yesterday and was curious if you continue to keep the ginger and lemons in the jar while storing it in the refrigerator? Thanks!
Hi Carol,
Yes! Keep everything in a sealed container in your refrigerator! Over time the ingredients will turn into a jelly, perfect for scooping up a small amount + adding to your warm water!
Hereโs to keeping healthy during cold + flu season!
How long does the 12once is good for once in the refrigerator
Hi Nubian Queen,
This great cold + flu remedy will keep in the fridge for months!
Hey, for how long to you leav it until you can use it?
Feel free to use it right away. ๐ Enjoy!
Thanks for this recipe. Seem something like it years ago but never thought of making it like this for multiple uses. Yโall are simply wonderful. Love your website and Facebook page. I hope to soon sign on for your 21 day challenge. Have tried a few of your green smoothies and love them.
Thanks for all yโall do. Oh yeah from Georgia lol
Iโm from Georgia too! Augustaโฆwhere are you, Cheryl?
I am not a fan of fresh ginger but this is wonderful! It will definitely be something I keep on hand at all times. I just had one cup so far but I loved it. It is very soothing and refreshing. Thanks for the recipe!
Cheers!
Hi Lisa.
What I do is take one scoop of honey, lemon and ginger and place it in my cup with warm water. I would suggest not adding more honey, but to start from scratch when it done. It you cut your lemon into small enough slices, it should end all at the same time.
Iโve been making something similar which can help with arthritis. In a large mug put 1 heaped teaspoon each of cinnamon and organic turmeric, a piece of fresh ginger (thumb size), which I grate with a micro grater to get about 2 teaspoons of pulp and juice, juice of a lemon or lime, honey to taste. Top up with boiling water, stir well and drink.
It forms a jelly like consistency when cool. Flavour wise it packs a punch, so you could get 2 mugfuls out of it. All good stuff! (Careful with turmeric, it stains everything!)
Hey Isabel! You rock! Thanks for sharing! Cheers to health!
I purchased raw unfiltered honey and it looks like paste is this right??
Yes, it is a lot thicker, than โnormal honeyโ that we are used to.
can you make this in an old pickle jar?
Totally! Just make sure you wash it out. ๐
hello! I just made this about an hour again. I want to know how long it takes to turn to jelly?
Hey Dorothy.
With in a week if should start to slowly turn. ๐
Does anyone know how many carbs would be in this per serving? My 6 yr old daughter is diabetic so I have to be careful what I give her And count her carbs.. she would really enjoy this. She has bad asthma so winters are really hard on her. She always seems to get bronchitis in the winter months.
Hi Bartlett.
Thanks for reaching out. What type of honey are you using?
Jessie,
What type or brand of honey do u use?
Hi Bam,
I personally love reaching for raw local honey! My neighbor keeps bees!
Cheers ๐