A common cold weather drink in East Asia, and very simple to make, and DELICIOUS. In Chinese medicine, ginger is considered "warming" and as such good for combating "cold qi", or cold energy, which includes the common cold. Ginger is also a good remedy for nausea, and stomach cramps (cramps are considered to be due to "excess cold qi".) A squeeze of fresh lemon is also a nice touch. When I had colds, my grandmother in Hong Kong would use ginger, lemon — and boil Coca-cola instead of water. (So much for Chinese medicine!) Tasty though. Enjoy!
Ada's Ginger Tea
Ingredients
Fresh ginger - old wrinkly ginger is even stronger than young ginger, so this is a good way to use up old ginger.
60 g Rock sugar (white sugar, brown sugar, or honey are all fine as well)
4 Cups water
Instructions
1. Peel and slice ginger into slices.
2. Heat ginger slices on a small pan over medium heat, drying out the ginger but not burning them. This will create a more intense flavor. (optional step)
3. Bring water to boil in a medium pot.
4. Add ginger slices and simmer with lid on for 30 minutes. (The longer it sits the more strong it will get.)
5. Add rock sugar and stir until it has dissolved. Remove from heat.
6. Pour ginger tea into cups and serve hot.