My Ginger Tea with Licorice Root is a family favorite.
Ginger Tea with Licorice Root
The boys were raised on this hot drink recipe and ask me to whip up a steaming pot of Ginger Tea with Licorice Root each time they walk back in the door from college.
When they were younger, in their grade school days, they used to ask me to make Ginger Tea with Licorice Root when they went up skiing. I happily packed it in a thermos for their aprés ski drink.
Hot Ginger Tea Recipe
Now, I make this for my family when anyone has a tickle in the throat and for myself as adrenal support. Warm and healing, this ginger tea recipe with licorice root is great for both sinus congestion and adrenal health!
How to Make Hot Ginger Tea
So when it gets cold outside I know it’s time to put up a pot of hot ginger tea.
Here’s a quick pro-tip –no need to peel the ginger when you’re making hot ginger tea, or ginger tea with licorice root. This will save you time, cut back on waste, and increase nutrients in your tea.
Free exclusive eBook, plus recipes and health tips, delivered to your inbox.
Ayruvedic Ginger Tea with Licorice Root
This Ayurvedic recipe for Ginger Tea with Licorice Root is a lifesaver, as well as a total throat soother!
The fresh ginger is spicy, clearing out your sinuses, and the licorice root is demulcent, protecting irritated and inflamed mucus membranes.
I have so many amazing tools from the three-year Ayurvedic training I took thirty years ago, back in the early 1990s and I love sharing them with you.
When it comes to hot drink recipes, this is one of my Ayurvedic favorites. Read on to learn how to make Ginger Tea with Licorice Root!
Ginger Tea with Licorice Root
Ingredients
- 2 quarts water
- ¼ cup licorice root
- 1 finger’s length fresh ginger, sliced, not peeled
Instructions
- Place water in a medium pot
- Add licorice and ginger
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes
- Pour through a fine mesh strainer into mugs
- Serve
What is Ayurveda?
If you’re wondering, what is Ayurveda I’ve got you covered. Ayurveda is a system of alternative medicine based on the philosophy of balance and harmony in the body’s systems.
Commonly referred to as the science of self-healing, Ayurveda uses diet and herbal treatment, as well as yoga asanas (postures) and breath, to restore balance.
One of the many things I learned in my training is to use herbal teas for healing.
Propolis Throat Spray
On the go and don’t want to carry around a thermos of Ginger Tea with Licorice Root like my boys did when they were little? Grab yourself Beekeeper’s Naturals propolis throat spray.
I love keeping this immune support in my pocket! Beekeeper’s antioxidant-rich formula is a bodyguard in a bottle that provides germ fighting, scratchy throat rescue.
Is Ginger Tea Good for You?
According to one of my favorite books, The Way of Herbs, by Michael Tierra, ginger is of great benefit to the stomach and other mucosal membranes and may be taken alone or with other herbs to enhance its effectiveness.
Given its anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, ginger is a fantastic remedy for a sore throat.
Ginger Tea Health Benefits
Ginger tea has several health benefits that include:
- Boosts Immunity
- Reduces Nausea
- Soothes Digestive Issues
Tea With Licorice Root
Why would I use licorice root in tea? In herbal medicine, licorice root is considered a demulcent, which is a fancy way of saying it is incredibly soothing.
Further, there are a number of other incredible health benefits to licorice root. In addition to helping soothe sore throats, licorice root can soothe digestive issues and support sluggish adrenals.1
Is Licorice Tea Good for You?
Licorice is good for adrenal insufficiency (although large doses will exacerbate high blood pressure) and is very soothing for the lungs and digestion.
We use it in our house to soothe a cold or sore throat. And sometimes to calm down an upset tummy.
Licorice root is not appropriate for those with heart conditions or pregnant women. If you are pregnant, check with your medical practitioner prior to adding any herbs to your healing routine.
You can see why Ginger and Licorice root go hand in hand so well, they are a powerful duo that work in a synergistic fashion. The cooling properties of licorice are perfect with the heat of ginger.
Healing Hot Drink Recipes
So, now that you know all about the benefits of ginger and licorice, I have some fun functional food drink recipes for you.
Each of these healing drinks contains one of my favorite roots!
Keto Ginger Hot Chocolate
My Keto Ginger Hot Chocolate recipe unites the superpowers of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate with spicy ginger to create the best hot chocolate recipe.
This low-carb hot chocolate recipe is important for a number of reasons.
First, when you’re feeling under the weather, it’s critical to cut back on sugar which can be highly inflammatory.
Second, antioxidant-rich dark chocolate and decongesting ginger will perk you right up if you have a cold or cough coming on. Ginger and chocolate are incredibly magical together.
Turmeric Tea
Turmeric Tea is one of my favorite hot drinks to sip on. The rich golden hue of turmeric brings me so much joy in addition to knowing I am drinking something that is healing for my body.
I wrote a post compiling The Best Turmeric Health Benefits because turmeric is such a magical super spice. Turmeric contains curcumin which has a multi-organ systemic effect with the following actions:
- Improves Digestion
- Enhances Brain Function
- Regulates Hormones
- Relieves Joint Pain
- Prevents Cancer
- Anti-Aging for Skin
Dandelion Coffee
Over the years, I’ve had many of you ask me how to make dandelion coffee. My Dandelion Root Coffee recipe is basically a very strongly brewed dandelion tea. Dandelion is a fantastic liver cleanser and blood purifying herb.
Dandelion root is also a useful remedy for stomachaches, and in herbal medicine is said to be beneficial for hypoglycemia and high blood pressure. On top of that, this is a caffeine-free coffee. Wins all around!
Your Favorite Hot Drinks
I love all of the hot drinks above, and I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about each of the healing roots they contain.
Dandelion, turmeric, licorice, and ginger are some of my all-time favorites when it comes to Ayurvedic healing and Functional Medicine. What are your favorite hot drink recipes?
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives, I first shared Ginger Tea with Licorice Root way back in 2007!
Sasha says
hi.
can I use dried ginger?
if I want to store it in a jar, how much shall I use?
Elana says
Sasha, I don’t think that will work.
Julie says
Hi Elana, thanks for all your amazing recipes. Could you keep this tea in the fridge over a few days and reheat as needed?
Elana says
Julie, yes! I do that now and then :-)
Johanna says
Just a quick note to say the licorice is not allowed on the SCD, and this recipe pops up in the SCD recipes list.
Elana says
Johanna, thanks so much :-)
Muhammad says
It Really Looks Refreshing :)
Elana says
Thanks Muhammad! Have a great day :-)
Elizabeth says
Licorice root can cause a reaction for people with history of heart arrhythmia.
Elana says
Elizabeth, it is also an issue for folks with high blood pressure.
Alex says
IF taken too much – one cup morning of waking up with sore throat (best time for it to work wonders), 3 days in a row, IF needed won’t cause high blood pressure issues. Stay in pain, don’t drink it n you will regret it. It works!
Elana says
Thanks Alex!