Ginger tea has a plethora of scientifically proven health benefits. It is a remedy for nausea, diarrhea, and possibly anxiety. In folk medicine, this tea is widely used to treat or suppress a cough, congestion, or the common cold. It is also commonly used as an inflammation or arthritis remedy, but some studies suggest that ginger can actually treat these conditions. The herb is known to interact with medications, however, so caution is necessary when consuming ginger in any form.
An anti-nausea tea can be made from ginger root, and multiple studies have found the herb to be effective. Morning sickness, sea sickness, and nausea due to chemotherapy can sometimes be reduced or eliminated by drinking ginger tea. How the tea works to treat nausea and its effectiveness is still being explored.
At least one form of diarrhea can be treated with ginger. The amount needed to relieve the condition is likely more than most people use in one serving of tea, however. There are some ways of making the tea to include more ginger, such as using finely ground ginger and not removing it once the extract is released into the boiling water.
Anxiety, a reaction to stress, plagues millions of people for reasons big and small. At least one study proved ginger to be effective at reducing anxiety. Like some other uses of ginger tea, this health benefit is not fully understood and is still being explored. It is possible that the study was flawed in some way and that people who find anxiety relief by drinking this tea are experiencing a placebo effect.
There are many unproven claims involving ginger tea health benefits. Some cultures believe it is a cure for the common cold or any cough or congestion, while others believe it can cure an upset stomach. The latter claim is not far-fetched considering that it is a potential anxiety remedy, and a stomach ache is a symptom of anxiety. Its folk remedy role as a inflammation reducer might also have some merit, though this is not yet proved.
Lastly, ginger in any form is thought to be a natural blood thinner. It must be used with caution by people who are using prescription blood thinning medications. In addition, ginger tea can cause other side effects, like an unusual heart beat and a decrease in blood pressure.
