Lemon Ginger Tea
The more negative things I hear about the medical industry, the more I love looking into letting my food be my medicine. I've realized that although it's amazing to have access to any type to medical doctor who has had years of experience, nutritional doctors also have a very crucial part in todays society. We live in in a world where we are constantly given medication after medication and eventually pills aren't the solution to the problem, they are the cause. Many others who surround me are realizing this to and they are also researching into holistic medicine and following doctors who aren't all about prescribing pills.
I didn't look into any of this until I started having some serious health issues of my own and I have also seen the quality of life of a friend dramatically change as she started going the all natural route.
Before I get into what I am talking about, i'll give a brief description of my medical history.
In 2011, I started having some serious symptoms of headaches, dizzyness, severe low blood pressure, intense brain fog, light headedness, constant swollen lymph nodes and severe chronic fatigue.
Fast forward 7 months later, I was diagnosed with POTS syndrome and was told there was no cure and I had to just live my life every day managing my symptoms.
Another 4 years later, I had decided that it was time I invested in Invisalign since I had always wanted straight teeth. I found a new dentist and started my appointments to get my trays made.
This is where the story starts.....
In my X-rays, she had found a massive infection that was eating hole through my jaw. Turns out, this infection was brewing in my tooth for at least 4 years, coincidentally when my immune system issues started.
Two root canals and a pulled tooth later, the infection had started to clear up and my bones are still in the process of growing back. I am currently walking around with metal braces on and no front tooth. Loads of fun.
Throughout this process, I was on 2 types of antibiotics and was taking them for the course of over a month.
After I finished my round of antibiotics, I noticed a weird film on my toungue. I didn't think anything of it and then developed some flu like systems. Since I get sick whenever the seasons change, I thought this was just the usual common cold. After this, I got sick the next month and the next month. Each time my lymph nodes completely swelling but oddly enough, I had no pain. I decided to take a look in the back of my throat to see what was going on.
It was gross. the back of my toungue had a thick white and yellow coating on it. I was completely alarmed and had never seen this before. Over the next two weeks, I went to the hospital twice and was sent home both times after being told it was just "mucus buildup" and it would clear up in a week. That never happened.
My guess is the overuse of antibiotics gave me a case of candida, which grossly enough is the overgrowth of yeast in the body, including the mouth and causing severe oral thrush.
During all of this happening, a close friend was having amazing results from holistic medicine and special diets that were made up by nutritionists. That's when she gave me this tea recipe.
Before I say any of this, I am NOT giving anyone medical advice. This is simply the experience I have had.
My friend told me to start drinking a cup of this tea every morning. Sure enough, I would get up, boil up some water with fresh slices of lemon, fresh ginger, cinnamon and honey. Every morning I drank it on an empty stomach. This tea is so good that it's easy to want it in the morning.
It has now been a month since I have been drinking this tea every morning and everyday the white coating on my tongue has been disappearing, to the point where it's almost completely gone and I haven't gotten sick. I have also seen a big improvement in my menstrual cramps. Usually, I am in agony unless I take something the day before it starts. I was shocked that I could fully function, at work, without taking anything at all. I am not saying that this tea is the complete cause of my symptoms getting better, but as soon as I introduced this into my daily routine, I saw positive changes.
There are so many health benefits from the ingredients in this tea. Fresh ginger, as well as cinnamon, is an anti-oxidant and powerful anti-inflammatory. Ginger is also great for relieving nausea and other other upset stomach issues. I gave this tea to my mom when she had a 24 hour stomach bug and it helped her queasiness. Lemons are full of vitamins such a as vitamin C and vitamin B6. Having lemon water is also a great was to start the morning and get your metabolism going before you eat any solid foods.
I really encourage everyone to drink this tea once a day for a month and see what it does for you. At the very least, it's warming during the winter so no matter what happens, it's a win - win!
Recipe
2 servings :
1 inch slice of fresh ginger, chopped
half of a lemon, juiced into water and then slices thrown in
Dash of Cinnamon
Bring to a boil and then Simmer for 20 minutes. Pour into mugs, top with some honey and enjoy!
