Just the name, Zingiber Officinale promises a great surprise.  But, it’s no secret that ginger works well for motion sickness. But, there’s must more to this rhizome than you think.

Ginger is one of the most ancient spices worldwide. It has become well-known for its health benefits, which include its ability to boost bone health, strengthen the immune system, increase appetite, prevent various types of cancer, improve respiratory conditions, aid in digestion, eliminate arthritis symptoms, reduce excess gas, enhance sexual activity, and relieve pains related to menstrual disorders, nausea, and flu.

Personally, I take ginger for nausea, and for stomach upset.

You can make ginger tea, but I much prefer ginger syrup.  It’s so easy to make with just a few ingredients.

How To Enjoy Ginger Syrup

• In warm tea in place of your regular sweetener
• Make ginger ale with 1 tbsp of syrup and seltzer, club soda, or sparkling water, and add fresh lemon or lime
• Over pancakes or waffles
• Over ice cream
• Drizzled on pie
• In plain yogurt
• In cooked oatmeal
• Over pastry
• Drizzle on fruit salad
• In place of fruit juice to proof yeast. Dilute several tablespoons of syrup in a cup of lukewarm water.
• In beverages
• In salad dressing
• Sauces
• Marinades
• Combine with lemon and thyme and use as a glaze on chicken before roasting
• Baked with winter squash

Making your own ginger syrup is easier than you think.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup peeled, chopped fresh ginger OR 1/8 cup dried ginger

1 cinnamon stick, 6 inches or 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips (opt.)

1 cup distilled or filtered water

1/2 cup local honey

glass bottle (like this one)

Directions:

1. Fill a pot with the water, ginger, and cinnamon stick, and heat on high until the water boils
2. Turn heat on low, cover pot, and simmer for 30 minutes
3. Turn off heat and let cool to warm
4. Strain the ginger through a strainer or cheese cloth, squeeze all the goodness out
5. Add honey and stir
6. Pour in to a bottle and store in the fridge
7. Take a teaspoon (children) or tablespoon (Adults), or add to tea or water

You can double this recipe for even more syrup to cook with. 

If this syrup is for children under 1, please use sugar instead.