What helps breaks down fatty foods, rid your stomach and intestines of gas, alleviate high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and treat nausea and morning sickness? Ginger. What's used in Indonesia to reduce fatigue, Nepal to clear colds, Japan to aid blood circulation, and throughout Africa for headaches, flu, sinus infection and premenstrual cramps? Ginger.
THE SIMPLE VERSION:
1 cup fresh ginger root, grated
1/2 cup fresh lime or lemon juice + zest
Clear stevia to taste (or sweetener of choice)
optional: three whole cloves, 4 cinnamon stick
6 cups boiling water
DIRECTIONS:
In non-reactive bowl, combine cloves, cinnamon stick, ginger and zest. Pour boiling water over it, cover and leave in warm place for at least an hour (i.e. in sun, oven that's been slightly heated then turned off). Strain mixture through cheesecloth into gallon glass jar, taking care to squeeze cloth at end to extract all liquid from ginger root. Add citrus juice, then fill remaining space in jar with cool water, sweeten to taste and store in fridge. Serve warm, chilled or on ice, as is or diluted with sparkling or still water.
