Lemon Ginger Tea

Lemon Ginger Tea (immunity tea) is one of those soothing drinks to boost immune system that you’ll want to add to your daily wellness plan. There’s powerful lemon ginger tea benefits in each cup thanks to all the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in fresh ginger and lemon zest.

This immunity tea also provides you with detoxifying properties that can help gently cleanse and alkalize the body.  

Lemon Ginger Tea Recipe

This is one of my favorite drinks to boost immune system because its so soothing, so delicious and its loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties! For convenience I like to keep frozen lemon zest and frozen ginger paste on hand so I can make this immunity tea any time I like.

• Grated lemon zest  (If I can find them at the store I like to use Meyer lemons for zesting. They’re sweeter, less bitter and more aromatic)
• Grated ginger or ginger paste
• Water
• Honey (optional)

Variations

Add a teaspoon of fresh grated turmeric or a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of cayenne pepper to your cup which will add more  antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to this immunity tea.

You can either add the lemon zest and grated ginger to a strainer and steep in hot water like you would regular tea. 

Or if you freeze the lemon zest and ginger paste (or grated ginger), you can pop these little frozen nutritional gold nuggets in your cup and pour hot water right over them. Some little flecks of lemon zest and ginger will float to the top (most will sink to the bottom of your cup), but I don’t mind drinking these because it just provides even more nutritional benefits.

How to Make Lemon Ginger Tea

1. Lemon zest. Using a microplane or cheese grater are the easiest ways to grate lemon zest. Run the side of a lemon back and forth over the microplane or grater being careful not to get the pith.  You may get a little added pith to your zest and that’s perfectly okay. Continue to rotate the lemon until you have the desired amount of zest.
2. Grate ginger. Peel ginger and grate ginger using a microplane or cheese grater. If you’re using young ginger with thin skins, it’s not necessary to peel the ginger first.
3. Boil water. Heat water in a saucepan or tea kettle and bring to a boil.
4. Steep tea. Add 1 teaspoon of grated ginger and lemon zest to a cup or to a strainer over a cup. Pour water over ginger and zest in strainer. Let grated ginger and zest steep in the water for 1-2 minutes before sipping. You can also add the lemon zest and grated ginger right to your cup and pour the water over it. Stir and let steep for 1-2 minutes before sipping.
5. Sweeten with honey. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of honey.
6. Add lemon juice. If you want a little more lemon ginger tea benefits,  stir in a couple teaspoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice to your cup.

Lemon Ginger Tea Benefits

This is one of those great drinks to boost immune system. Ginger is a mighty herb that makes a really nourishing and great tasting immunity tea.  And there are so many incredible health benefits of ginger giving good reason to add this Lemon and Ginger Tea to your daily wellness plan.

• Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial 
• Relieves nausea
• Aids with digestion
• Stimulates natural detox process
• Relieves congestion
• Improves blood circulation

Lemon Peel Benefits

• Immune Boosting. Lemon peel is rich with vitamin C and phytochemicals which may provide immunostimulation activies. (1)
• Rich with antioxidants. Rich with antioxidants including d-limonene and vitamin C, which is linked to reduced risk of certain diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Some studies show that d-limonene boosts certain enzymes that helps to reduce oxidative stress (which is associated with accelerated aging). (2) (3) (4)
• Antibacterial. Contains antibacterial substances that may inhibit microorganism growth. There are four compounds in lemon peel that have powerful antibacterial properties and may effectively fight Streptococcus mutans  and certain bacteria common to oral-disease.  (5) (6)
• Promotes a healthy heart. Certain research suggest that the fiber, vitamin C and flavonoids found in lemon peel may help reduce risk os cardiovascular disease. And the pectin and d limonene found in lemon peel may help lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) while increasing HDL cholesterol levels (good cholesterol). (7) (8)

Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger is rich with substances called gingerols, shoals, gingerdiones, which provide immune-boosting, antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help to ward off certain diseases.  It is also rich with phytochemicals that help aid digestion and settling upset stomachs.  These digestive properties help to stimulate the body’s natural cleansing and detoxifying process by eliminating waste and toxins.  These properties may also thin blood, improve blood circulation and prevent blood from clotting. I’ve written more about the health benefits in this post Benefits of Ginger.

How to Make Lemon Zest

Be sure to rinse the lemon under cold water and pat dry. If you’re not using organic lemons, you can rinse with baking soda and water and gently rub the lemon peel to wash away any residue. Lay a piece of parchment paper on the counter to catch the flecks of zest.

• Microplane or Cheese Grater. Using a microplane or cheese grater are the easiest ways to grate lemon zest.Run the side of a lemon back and forth over the microplane or grater being careful not to get the pith.  You may get a little added pith to your zest and that’s perfectly okay. Continue to rotate the lemon until you have the desired amount of zest.
• Citrus zester. Using a citrus zester will provide longer pieces of zest. Run the zester along the side of a lemon and scrape down the sides. Continue to rotate the lemon until you have the desired amount of zest.
• Vegetable peeler or Knife. If you don’t have a microplane, cheese grater or citrus zester, then you can use a vegetable peeler or a pairing knife. Carefully run the peeler or knife along the side of a lemon to scrape down the sides. You’ll need to cut the pieces into much smaller pieces (finely mince) if you’re adding to recipes.

Can you Freeze Lemon Zest

Citrus zest can be kept in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week, and if kept in a tightly sealed freezer bag, it can be stored in the freezer for up to six months. 

1. Line a cookie sheet with a Silpat, parchment paper or waxed paper.
2. Label freezer bags with date and contents of bag.
3. Zest the desired amount of lemon zest.
4. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice in the zest. This helps the zest stick together better when frozen.
5. Using a teaspoon, measure the lemon zest and place by the teaspoonfuls on a Silpat, parchment or waxed paper. (I like to measure out the zest by the teaspoonful that way when I toss the zest in recipes – it’s already measured out for me).
6. Pop in the freezer for 30-45 minutes, or until frozen solid and won’t flake apart when touched.
7. Transfer the frozen lemon zest discs to a plastic freezer bag. 

How to Store Fresh Ginger

If you’ve ever wondered how to store fresh ginger root, it couldn’t be easier.  Placing whole pieces of ginger that have not been cut or grated in a zip top plastic bag in the refrigerator is the best way to keep ginger root fresh the longest.  Thicker pieces of ginger can last up to 8 weeks stored in the refrigerator this way.

Can You Freeze Ginger

Yes!  Freezing ginger is super easy.   The best way to freeze ginger is to peel it, grate it and then measure out teaspoon-sized portions of it.  Then place them on a Silpat lined cookie sheet and pop them in the freezer for an hour or two before transferring  to a zip top plastic freezer bag, like what I’ve done with this Ginger Paste.  The frozen ginger should last up to six months.   Another easy way to freeze ginger is by making these Ginger Ice Cubes.  It’s great to have already peeled and grated frozen ginger to add to hot water for tea, soups, stews, smoothies, stir-fries,  salad dressings and more. 

Looking for more immunity tea recipes?

If you’re looking for more drinks to boost immune system, these are some of my favorites!

• Elderberry Tea
• Fruit Infused Turmeric Tea
• Antioxidant Rich Blueberry Green Tea
• Hibiscus Tea
• Immune Boosting Ginger Tea
• Iced Orange Ginger Green Tea

Want more ideas? Check out all my immune boosting tea recipes. And be sure to check out all my ginger recipes.