Morning Digestif
I love me a glass of piping hot lemon water with ginger and stevia! Besides being absolutely delicious, it has a whole BOAT LOAD of health benefits.
Here are 10 health benefits of lemon water that you may not have known! (via LifeMojo)
- Good for stomach
Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones. - Excellent for Skin Care
Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin. - Aids in Dental Care
Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums. - Cures Throat Infections
Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently. - Good for Weight Loss
One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well. - Controls High Blood Pressure
Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression. - Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders
Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma. - Good for treating Rheumatism
Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body. - Reduces Fever
Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration. - Acts as a blood purifier
The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier. (via LifeMojo)
Lemon is not the only power player in this recipe. Ginger is known to have some pretty remarkable health generating qualities like the ones listed below via Health Diaries
- Colon Cancer Prevention A study at the University of Minnesota found that ginger may slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells.
- Morning Sickness A review of several studies has concluded that ginger is just as effective as vitamin B6 in the treatment of morning sickness.
- Motion Sickness Remedy Ginger has been shown to be an effective remedy for the nausea associated with motion sickness.
- Reduces Pain and Inflammation One study showed that ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful natural painkiller.
- Heartburn Relief Ginger has long been used as a natural heartburn remedy. It is most often taken in the form of tea for this purpose.
- Cold and Flu Prevention and Treatment Ginger has long been used as a natural treatment for colds and the flu. Many people also find ginger to be helpful in the case of stomach flus or food poisoning, which is not surprising given the positive effects ginger has upon the digestive tract.
- Migraine Relief Research has shown that ginger may provide migraine relief due to its ability to stop prostaglandins from causing pain and inflammation in blood vessels.
- Menstrual Cramp Relief In Chinese medicine, ginger tea with brown sugar is used in the treatment of menstrual cramps.
- Prevention of Diabetic Nephropathy A study done on diabetic rats found that those rats given ginger had a reduced incidence of diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage) - via Health Diaries
So try a nice hot glass of Lemon water with Ginger and Stevia, it’s delicious and good for you in so many ways!!
You’ll need:
- 1/2 inch knob of ginger sliced thinly or grated
- lemon
- Stevia to taste
Simply pour boiling water over the ginger, let steep for about 5mins then add lemon juice and stevia to taste.
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i love this :]
Yay, glad you like it!! Absolutely LOOOOOVE your necklaces, btw!! xo
Great info Linda. I didn’t know that about lemon water. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure Faith! xo
Thanks for the tips! I love lemon water!
Your welcome Katrina!! It’s the perfect “first thing in the morning” drink!
In the Far East, ginger has long been used as a digestive aid ( very effective for nausea) and lemon juice for cleansing fat during digestion. This morning, I read in AARP magazine an article called ‘Painkillers in Your Pantry’ that ‘ginger relieves pain by blocking an enzyme that’s a key component of the inflamatory process’!
I am going to try this drink, especially after a fatty meal!
Thanks!
Awesome, hope you like it!
Linda, do you know if instead of pouring hot water over the grated ginger you can boil water with the ginger inside and then add the lemon? I’ve done it this way before and I feel you can get more flavor out of the ginger… what are your thoughts on this?
Awesome website btw!
Greetings from Houston, TX!! I love Austin
Sure, for the recipe you can absolutely do it that way! I am drinking some hot ginger/lemon tea right now, mmmm!!
Thanks for the compliment, I love Austin too!
xo
Linda- what comes first in the morning, hot ginger/lemon tea or the green juice? And how long to wait before having the 2nd?
Linda~I was wondering if, by chance, you have to use hot water as opposed to just drinking luke warm filtered water. I also can’t stand the taste of ginger, but since reading the health benefits I believe I will try to learn to love ginger. My question is, can I receive the same health benefits from just adding fresh lemon juice to my filtered water? I am in need of losing lots of weight and have turned to drinking 64oz. of water and have been using lemon to help with that consumption. Thanks for your advice.
Yes Nancy, you can use any type of water with lemon. Hot water helps to draw out the flavors of both the ginger and lemon. Just experiment and see which way you like it best!
I don’t have a lot of experience with fresh ginger. When you slice or grate the ginger do you take the outer layer off first? or do you just slice it all together? Thanks! Love your info!!
I don’t take the skin off, it’s perfectly fine to wash and then use the whole thing
Linda – what a great post! So good, I had to share on facebook. I found your blog through Marcus Samuelsson’s and I’ll definitely be returning. All of my favorite things in one place – delicious food, beautiful photography, healthy living tips. Love it!
Thanks Heather!! I check out your website and you are such an amazing photographer!! Keep up the amazing work!! xo
Hi Linda!
I’m new to your blog and have been searching the site. I found this particular article and had to ask you – can you use bottled lemon juice, rather than fresh lemon juice from the lemon? Same health benefits?
Love your blog/work!!
For the girl name Amanda , bottle lemon they put preserves and other thing we don’t know, best results use fresh lemon.
Linda I love this info about lemon juice
Thanks for caring for other people by posting this info
How much lemon do you normally do? I used 1/2 lemon squeezed in about 8ish oz. water. Should I use more lemon to get the full benefits? If I don’t consume all the raw ginger shreds and just drink “around” them am I still getting enough of the benefits? Thanks!!! I tried this this morning and it was so delicious!!! I was really surprised! I did add a dollap of honey, but will try it tomorrow without honey.
I love it and I am seeing the effects on my weight loss program. Starting weight 345 lbs. Now 323 lbs in 36 days.
I love it
Richard, that is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats and keep up the great work!!
Very detailed and well written article on lemon benefits. Great post, very helpful!
why do you have to drink it hot? what if you just drink room temp lemon water with or without the ginger?
ooops sorry! just found the answer to my question from a comment by Nancy. thanks for the great recipes Linda!
I live out in the s.t.i.c.k.s. There is never ginger available. Does it have to be fresh ginger????
Do you add lemon to taste and is it possible that too much lemon juice can cause harm to tooth enamel? I’ve been following your blog for the past 3 months and absolutely love your smoothie recipes! You most certainly have a wealth of knowledge and a special give in sharing that with others. Keep up the fantastic work, Linda!
yes, just add lemon to taste
You would have to use a ridiculously large amount for it to have any effect on tooth enamel!!