Name: 5 Spiced Ginger Tea for Cold and Sore Throat
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 inch Ginger (grated); 5 Cardamoms; 2 Cinnamon sticks (large ); 5 Peppercorns; 10 Cloves; 1/2 cup Honey

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Spiced Ginger Tea for Cold and Sore Throat

There is nothing more comforting on a cold winters day than a warm cup of spiced ginger tea for the cold and sore throat. Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves warm the body giving comfort from within while the ginger and honey soothe a sore throat from outside.

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A sore throat can be the first sign of cold and the approaching winter. The moment you start September the warm day and cold evenings confuse our body. My kids usually get a cold at the start of winter. That's when I start making this tea for us as a family. One-pot every day!
Warm your body with this special homemade blend of five spices ginger tea such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger that help soothe you and keep you cozy on the inside.

About this 5 spice ginger tea with honey (Save/Pin)

I've been having this tea as a kid almost all my life. My mom uses to make it and as a kid, we had it every winter through our winters weren't so severe.

Of course, after mom passed way I never made it for years until I had my own kids and needed to find comfort for them especially for their cold and sore throat. Our Doctor does not really give medication for cold unless it's a severe infection. Nothing is worse than having your kids tell you that their throat is hurting and you can't give them anything more. This really helps my kids.

As an Indian kid, I grew up with a huge variety of spices around. My mom was a foodie and she has really almost all spices in her cabinet and she made her own spice mixes for whatever she cooked from scratch. So I always wondered why my mom picked these particular 5 spices for this tea over all the others.

There is nothing more comforting on a cold winters day than a warm cup of spiced ginger tea for cold and soar throat. Spices like cinnamon, cardamon and cloves warm the body giving comfort from within while the ginger and honey sooth the soar throat from outside. — 5 spice ginger tea for cold and sore throat for winter, ginger tea for winter, spice tea for winter

I started reading and the more I read; I am convinced that this is good for me and my family. Now I make it every winter and every week. This week I suggested it to one of my neighbors when It dawned on me that I should share it with you here on my blog.

I Leave a bowl of water (uncovered) in the room during winter

Do I have the habit of leaving water in a bowl on the table during winter and often I get asked why? So here's why?

Do you know that in winter the cold air that comes into our home from outside has lower humidity that carries very little moisture?
And then we heat the house inside which adds warmth but it doesn't increase the amount of moisture in the air.
So because the humidity is so low the little moisture that is around gets sucked up into the air including moisture from our body leaving us with parched skin, nose, and throat.
That is why a humidifier is often recommended but instead, So, I just leave a bowl of water on the table. I am told it helps - not sure..
Also, did you know that in winter the air is drier so germs travel faster? that is why it's easier to get infected by someone with a cold in winter as compared to summer?

Ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)

Ginger - Ginger is actually a very good antioxidant for the body. As an Indian, I've been eating ginger in my food all my life. I believe ginger helps you sweat out the toxins in your body which is helpful when you have a cold or flu. (read more about ginger in cold here)
Cinnamon - The Indian and Chinese have been using Cinnamon for a cough and cold (read more benefits of cinnamon)
Clove - Clove is a natural painkiller that is why we use it often for relief from toothaches. Right? Ayurveda suggests to use clove tea to lessen or prevent cold or flue - (read more here)
Cardamon - helps with breathing when you have a cold it is a great antiseptic and decongestant properties that alleviate discomfort. (read more here)
Pepper - yeah this one was a big question mark but yes Ayurveda has been adding black pepper to tonics to heal common cold and coughs for years. (read more here)
Honey - I think we all know that honey helps soothe a soar and scratch throat naturally and relieves irritation. It boosts the immune system which reduces the severity of cold and also prevents future colds and other viruses. (read more here)

Extra notes and precautions.

Everybody's body reacts to spices differently - for a start I suggest you drink no more than two cups a day. I personally can drink quite a few cups in a day.
If you are not comfortable with any of the spices in this recipe you can omit or reduce the quantity.
Drink only as much as you can handle. I add 1/4 cup spice mixture and top with 1 cup hot water but you could make it weaker or stronger too!
Always be cautious when given kids something for the first time. This is my Rhea's favorite drink and she can take two full cups of tea a day. She's only seven. Having said that I'd suggest making a very light and sweet drink just to give them some warmth from the spices.

Useful tips and Tools

I use a mortar and pestle to make a coarse mixture. You can also use a food processor.
Use a heavy bottom saucepan so you can boil the mixture for a while without too much evaporates. Also do not use aluminum as that can oxidize with some of the spices.
You will need a fine sieve to strain the mixture, so the drink is clear.
Save any extra spice mix in a mason jar so you can use it again as needed.

How to make this 5 Spice Ginger Tea for Cold and Sore Throat (Save/Pin)

Mixing the spices

Grinding the ginger paste

You can grate it as well. I like using my mortar and pestle for this but since we are going to boil it, it does not matter whether you mince, grate, or chop it.

Prepare the Spice Mixture

Grate or smash the ginger in a mortar and pestle
using a mortar and pestle - make a powder of the spices.
Add 4 cups of water in a saucepan.
Combine the ginger and mixed spices in the saucepan.
Let come to a boil - once it comes to a boil - reduce heat to a simmer and
Simmer for 10 minutes until it is reduced to about 2 cups.
Strain into a jar or teapot.
This is the spice mixture that will last about a week.

To prepare the tea

Add 1/4 cup of the spice mixture to your teacup
Top with 1 cup boiling hot water (about 1:3 parts mix: water)
You can infuse a tea bag before (I drink it with as well as without tea bags)
Add 1 tsp honey to sweeten it up
Enjoy!

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5 Spiced Ginger Tea for Cold and Sore Throat

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 25 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 15 mins

Calories: 295kcal

Adjust Servings Here: 10 servinngs

Description

There is nothing more comforting on a cold winters day than a warm cup of spiced ginger tea for cold and sore throat. Spices like cinnamon, cardamon, and cloves warm the body giving comfort from within while the ginger and honey soothe a sore throat from outside.

ADJUST SERVINGS HERE - 10 servinngs

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the Spice Mixture

Grate or smash the ginger in a mortar and pestle
using a mortar and pestle - make powder of the spices.

Boil the spice portion (makes 2 cups)

Add 4 cups water in a saucepan.
Combine the ginger and mixed spices in the saucepan.
Let come to a boil - once it comes to a boil - reduce heat to a simmer and
Simmer for 10 minutes until it is reduced to about 2 cups.
Strain into a pitcher or teapot.

To prepare the tea

Add 1/4 cup of the spice mixture to your teacup
Top with hot water (about 1:3 parts mix: water)
Add 1 tsp honey to sweeten it up
Enjoy!