On a cold winter’s day, a cup of hot ginger tea is a cup of instant warmth! Not only can ginger warm our body from within, it may also help keep away winter colds and flu. Ginger tea is not just a drink for winter though; suitable for drinking hot or cold, it can be enjoyed as a refreshing and caffeine free beverage any time of year.
Many popular ginger teas contain other botanicals such as lemon, honey and turmeric and like ginger, these may also bring some benefits to our health as well as taking the edge off the strong and earthy zest of the ginger. In this article we review ten of the best ginger tea and also consider what ginger may do for our well-being. We also consider some of the side effects from consuming too much of this powerful spice.Best Pick
The Stash Lemon Ginger herbal tea is our best pick of the ginger teas with its caffeine free earthy and soothing flavor which is kosher certified.
Budget Pick
Suitable for all Keurig brewers, the Twinings of London lemon & ginger herbal tea K-Cups is our budget pick made with ginger root and natural citrus flavorings.
Quick Comparison: Top 10 Best Ginger Tea
1. Stash Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea
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The Stash Lemon Ginger herbal tea has flavors of earthy and soothing ginger with lemongrass citrus along with hibiscus, safflower and citric acid. Coming as 100 count of individually wrapped tea bags, this caffeine free herbal tea is kosher certified and produced by a Certified B Corporation.
Some recent buyers have found that this ginger tea can lack flavor, particularly from the ginger, so you may need to brew with two bags. Some of the tea bags can also be prone to breakage and the strings can come loose when brewing.Pros
Cons
2. Twinings of London Lemon & Ginger Herbal Tea
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Suitable for brewing as 6 or 8 oz, the Twinings of London lemon & ginger herbal tea K-Cups are made with ginger root, natural lemon and ginger flavors, lemongrass, lindon, lemon peel, blackberry leaves and citric acid.
This 24 pack of caffeine free K-Cups are suitable for all Keurig brewers and this is a spicier blend of ginger, so those who prefer less ginger flavor may not be as keen on these or may find that they will need to dilute it with some hot water.Pros
Cons
3. Choice Organic Teas Organic Ginger
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The Non-GMO Project Verified Choice Organic Teas organic ginger is USDA certified and Fair Trade. This ginger tea is also certified gluten free and kosher and has been packed in the US. This pack of 16 tea bags are made with ginger, lemon aroma, fennel and sweet licorice root to give a spicy flavor.
The licorice can overpower other flavors in this caffeine free herbal tea and the fennel aroma may be a little too strong for some drinkers.Pros
Cons
4. Prince of Peace Best Ginger Tea with Honey Crystals
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The 30 sachet pack of Prince of Peace instant ginger honey crystals is made with cane sugar, ginger and honey to give a stronger ginger tea. These crystals can be dissolved in hot or cold water for an instant drink. This caffeine free drink does contain sugar though, so has a higher calorific value and sweeter taste than other types of ginger tea. Each sachet contains 70 calories, 6% total carbs and 17 grams of sugar. Some drinkers will also struggle with the stronger ginger flavor of this.
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Cons
5. Rishi Tea Turmeric Ginger Tea
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The certified USDA organic Rishi Tea turmeric is also free from any GMO ingredients. This ginger tea contains ginger root, turmeric, licorice root, lemongrass, orange and lemon peels and oils. This comes as a twin pack of 15 individually wrapped caffeine free tea bags although there can be a risk of the tea bags splitting. Because this herbal tea does contain turmeric alongside ginger, its distinctive flavor may take some getting used to.
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6. Celestial Seasonings Herbal Tea Jammin’ Lemon Ginger
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The Celestial Seasonings herbal tea Jammin’ Lemon Ginger contains ginger, lemon verbena, lemongrass, rose hips, natural flavors, roasted chicory and citric acid. This comes as a pack of 20 gluten free tea bags which are sustainable, do not contain strings and come in a recycled box. This ginger tea is also caffeine free.
Some drinkers consider that this tea does not have the strength of flavor expected from a ginger and lemon blend and the odd buyer considered that this has an ‘artificial’ taste to it although it does not contain any artificial ingredients.Pros
Cons
7. The Republic of Tea Organic Turmeric Ginger Green Tea
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Made with a blend of green tea and spices, The Republic of Tea organic turmeric ginger is Non-GMO Project Verified as well as certified organic. This blend contains turmeric, green tea, ginger, cinnamon and natural honey flavor and is sugar and carb free although it does contain caffeine (from the green tea).
This has an earthy flavor with hints of sweetness to give a refreshing drink and this tin of 50 tea bags is also certified gluten free. Some drinkers consider this lacks ginger flavor and you may need to use multiple tea bags for a stronger brew.Pros
Cons
8. Gold Kili Instant Ginger Drink
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The Gold Kili instant ginger drink just needs hot or cold water adding. This caffeine free ginger tea comes as two packs which contain 20 sachets in each. This has a high ginger content – 60% - but also contains glucose, cane sugar, fructose and honey.
Each sachet contains 70 calories and 16 grams of sugar which makes it unsuitable for some dietary requirements. It may also be too sweet tasting for some, although this is a stronger ginger tea.Pros
Cons
9. Pukka Three Ginger Tea
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Made with organic ginger, galangal and turmeric, the Pukka Three Ginger herbal tea comes as a 20 pack of individually wrapped tea bags. These caffeine free tea bags are Fair Trade, Soil Association certified organic and also manufactured by a Certified B Corporation.
Some have found the taste of turmeric a little overpowering and as this blend also contains licorice, it may not be to everyone’s tastes. It can also be on the weaker side so you may need to brew two tea bags for more flavor.Pros
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10. Bigelow Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea
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The Bigelow lemon ginger herbal tea also contains Ganeden BC30 probiotics to support healthy digestion. This caffeine free herbal tea comes as a pack of four boxes of 18 individually wrapped tea bags and is gluten free. This tea is blended and packed in the US and made with lemongrass, lemon peel, cinnamon and ginger, lemon and other natural flavors.
It also contains verbena, rose hips, ginger and licorice root. This blend does only contain hints of ginger though so some drinkers will not find it as strong as a typical ginger tea and some consider that its lemon flavor tastes ‘artificial’.
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Things to Consider Before Buying Ginger Tea
Ginger has been used in medicine and to spice and even preserve foods for thousands of years. The Ancient Greeks wrapped ginger in bread to treat digestive problems and eventually the ginger began to be baked into the bread, making the earliest form of today’s gingerbread!
Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, along with turmeric and cardamom. The ginger plant is a creeping perennial that grows up to three foot in height and contains thick and tuberous underground roots or rhizomes, and it is these roots, with their earthy flavour with a bite, which are used in cooking and traditional medicines.
Ginger grows in warm and tropical regions and is native to India, southeast Asia and China. The Romans first imported ginger into Europe from China in the ninth century and it soon gained popularity, becoming the second most popular spice after pepper.
By the mid-sixteenth century, Europe received more than 2,000 tonnes of ginger per year from the East Indies. Today’s main producers of ginger are India, Jamaica, Indonesia, Fiji and Australia. Ginger is also grown along the eastern coast of Texas, in Hawaii and Florida.
The root or rhizome of the ginger plant is suitable for consuming fresh, dried, powdered, as a juice or oil. Ginger contains hundreds of metabolites and compounds and some of these may contribute to health and wellbeing.
One of the main compounds of importance include gingerols, which act as potent anti-inflammatories and help stop the formation of inflammatory cytokines – messengers within the immune system. This may be the reason that those with disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis can obtain some relief with ginger supplementation.
Other compounds of interest to scientists include shogaols, beta-carotene, caffeic acid, curcumin, salicylate and capsaicin.
Ginger for Helping Nausea and Motion Sickness
Ginger with its gingerols and volatile oils can help reduce some of the symptoms of nausea in pregnancy, surgery and chemotherapy.
Ginger is recognised as being safe for taking while pregnant, although there are some concerns that when taken in high doses it could increase the risk of miscarriage. A high dose is considered to be 1,500 milligrams or above.
It may also be an acceptable alternative for those undergoing chemotherapy who are unable to take typical anti-nausea agents.
Ginger also contains phenolic compounds which can help relieve irritation to the gastrointestinal (GI) system and stop gastric contractions when food moves through the GI tract. As it is doing this, it is also having a beneficial impact on pancreatic lipase and trypsin enzymes and increasing their motility through the GI tract. This means that ginger may help relieve constipation and possibly help prevent cancer of the colon.
Ginger has long been associated with motion sickness and although an older study did show that it helped, more recent research has not been able to confirm this benefit. Although taking ginger may not have any effect on vomiting, cold sweats and dizziness, it may still help with nausea symptoms so is worth trying. Ginger can also help relieve some of the nausea symptoms caused by vertigo.
Ginger Nutrition
Although the nutrition in ginger teas is lower and some of the nutrition is lost through processing of the ginger, 100 grams of fresh ginger root contains 79 calories and 17.86 grams of carbs. It also contains 3.6 grams of dietary and 3.57 grams of protein.
It also contains 14 milligrams of sodium, iron, vitamins B6 and C, potassium, magnesium, zinc, folate, phosphorus, niacin and riboflavin. Ginger does not contain any sugar.
Side Effects of Ginger Tea
There can be some side effects from regularly consuming ginger tea or other forms of ginger, but unless you consume very large amounts, probably more than 5 grams per day, the risk of side effects is very low.
Side effects can include heartburn, gas, bloating and nausea. Some people may experience an allergic reaction to ginger – this is usually recognized by developing a rash in the mouth or discomfort in the mouth or stomach after consuming ginger or drinking ginger tea.
Ginger can lower blood pressure, which means light-headedness can also be a side effect. It can act as an anti-coagulant or blood thinner, so if you are on blood thinning or blood pressure drugs, you should check with your health practitioner before consuming ginger.
Because ginger also contains a moderate amount of oxalate, those who are prone to oxalate-containing kidney stones should avoid consuming too much ginger to minimize the risk of developing stones.
Ginger for Healthy Hearts
Although it is still early days of research, ginger may help to reduce blood pressure and the risk of blood clots. It may also protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol and improving circulation and it could possibly play a role in preventing heart attacks.
Ginger in Obesity and Diabetes
A 2012 study showed that when 10 overweight men were given hot ginger tea (made from ginger powder dissolved in water), it reduced hunger and increased their feelings of fullness. A number of animal studies have also shown that ginger may be helpful in managing obesity and obesity-related complications. Ginger is also linked with improvements to blood sugar control, insulin levels, triglycerides and A1C in type 2 diabetics.
Inflammation and Pain Relief
Some studies have shown ginger to be effective in relieving the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee and it may be ‘modestly efficacious and reasonably safe’ to treat this osteoarthritis-related inflammation.
Taking ginger daily may also help reduce muscle pain caused by exercise. In one study, participants took part in a weight-training exercise to induce muscle pains and they were then given heated ginger, raw ginger or a placebo. The pain intensity was observed by researchers over the following three days and those who had taken heated raw ginger or heated ginger experienced less pain than those who were given the placebo.
Taking ginger is also linked with reducing symptoms of dysmenorrhea or severe menstrual pain and headaches.
Both ginger and turmeric contain curcumin and it is this compound thought to be responsible for the intensive anti-inflammatory actions at the molecular level in our bodies. In fact, curcumin has been shown to be as effective as some anti-inflammatory drugs, but without their side effects! Curcumin also acts as an antioxidant.
Ginger, The Common Cold and Sore Throats
Ginger may help boost immunity and fight some of the symptoms of the common cold. Ginger is also a diaphoretic, which means it promotes sweating and warms the body from the inside.
Ginger is also thought to act as an antimicrobial and may help fight bacterial or viral infections. In a test tube study, a 10% ginger extract was able to inhibit three microorganisms, including a strep, that often cause oral infections. Another laboratory study showed that ginger was able to stimulate the immune system to kill viruses which may help ease symptoms and reduce recovery time from viral infections.
When ginger is combined with honey the antimicrobial capability may also be enhanced, especially as honey has been shown to have some antimicrobial properties.
Ginger extract was also compared to antibiotics on strep-causing bacteria in the laboratory. The ginger extracts made with alcohol (ethanol) were more effective than ginger extracts made with water and the alcohol-based extract was as effective at inhibiting bacteria growth as the antibiotics.
Because ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory it may help soothe sore throats. The pain we have with a sore throat is because of the inflammation and itchiness caused in the throat by our body’s immune response to the infection. Ginger has also been shown to reduce the pain from tonsillitis and pharyngitis in combination with other herbs.
Because ginger acts as an antioxidant, it may help provide some protection and healing benefits against infection.
These effects are best observed with higher quantities of ginger, such as raw or ginger extract, however, ginger tea does still contain, although in smaller amounts, some of these powerful molecules and compounds.
Studies into ginger and immunity have been very small to date, and with most carried out in the laboratory it will be some time before it can be confirmed that ginger can be effective against the symptoms of colds and flu.
Ginger in Cancer Prevention
Some laboratory studies have shown that cancer can fight some different cancer cells and singer supplements were also able to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer developing in a group of 20 study participants.
Conclusion
In this article we have looked at ten popular ginger teas and the pros and cons of each. We also reviewed some of the early research which has taken place into ginger and its possible uses for health and well-being. Like anything, too much ginger can cause some side effects, but you would have to consume a very high dose of it and from drinking ginger tea, the chance of consuming anywhere near this dose would be very low.
We hope that you have enjoyed our article on ginger tea and if you enjoy drinking an occasional cup on a cold winter’s day or would like to drink it daily for inflammation relief, then we trust that our reviews have helped you to choose the best ginger tea for your needs.
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