Immunity Boosting Ginger + Turmeric Honey
For as long as I can remember hot lemon and honey has been a go-to in my family for soothing a sore throat. For those who are unfamiliar, hot lemon and honey is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: hot water with fresh lemon juice and a spoonful of honey stirred in.
I like to take the soothing powers of this simple drink up a level by infusing the honey with warming ginger and anti-inflammatory turmeric root. The result is a superpower full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients to help calm a nasty sore throat and keep other cold and flu symptoms at bay.
In this recipe I use the same honey infusing method as I did in my comforting Lavender Infused Honey.
Recipe Details
While simple, this sore throat soother is powerful. Let’s get into the science a bit.
Honey
Honey is an antibacterial, antioxidant-packed, anti-inflammatory superpower of an ingredient. These properties contribute to honey’s healing power as both a topical and ingestible ingredient.
Lemons
Lemons are high in vitamin C and help to boost immunity. Additionally, adding lemon to beverages when you are sick can help to keep you hydrated and to loosen congestion.
Ginger
Ginger contains a compound called gingerol which has powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can aid the healing process when you are sick.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains the compound curcumin which is a natural anti-inflammatory compound. To make the benefits of curcumin available, it helps to consume turmeric paired with black pepper to increase absorption of the curcumin.
Prep the Ingredients
Gather your ingredients and get ready to infuse! This recipe features deliciously sweet and antibacterial honey, warming fresh ginger and turmeric root.
Measure out the honey, grate the ginger and turmeric root and place them in a small heat-proof bowl. Metal or glass work best here. Add a pinch of fresh black pepper and you are ready to infuse.
Infuse the Honey
This recipe requires a double boiler to infuse the honey. You can set up a double boiler by filling a pot with one to two inches of water and placing a heat-proof bowl on top. The key is that the bowl does not touch the water, so make sure your pot is not wider than your bowl.
Place the bowl with the honey, ginger, turmeric and pepper over your pot. Turn the element on to medium heat. Stir the honey mixture frequently to ensure the ginger and turmeric are dispersed.
Once the honey reaches a water-like consistency, it is ready. Remove the bowl from the double boiler and set aside, covered, to infuse. Infusion will take eight hours or up to overnight.
Strain and Store
After infusion the honey has to be strained to remove the grated ginger and turmeric root.
Return the bowl of honey to your double boiler. Reheat the mixture until it reaches a water-like consistency.
Set a fine mesh sieve over a container or jar and strain the liquid honey through it. This will catch all the ginger and turmeric debris, which can be discarded.
Store the honey in an air-tight container at room temperature.
Enjoy a Soothing Hot Lemon and Honey
Hot lemon and honey is a simple and incredibly soothing drink to consume if you are feeling under the weather.
To make, juice one lemon into a mug. Be mindful to remove any seeds. Pour boiling water over the lemon juice, then stir in one tablespoon of Immunity Boosting Ginger + Turmeric Honey.
Sit back and enjoy this warming, soothing beverage!
More Recipes for Soothing a Sore Throat
If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out some of my other go-to sore through soothers:
Immunity Boosting Citrus Juice
“Feel Better” Cauliflower Soup
If you’re making this because you or a loved one is on the mend, I wish you (or them) a speedy recovery! I love to hear from you, so if you enjoyed this recipe, please don’t be shy to leave a comment or a recipe rating.
xx
Ashley
Immunity Boosting Ginger + Turmeric Honey
Equipment
- 1 Fine Mesh Sieve
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 1-1/2 tablespoons fresh root ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh turmeric root, grated
- a pinch of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Set up a double boiler by filling a pot with one to two inches of water, then place a small heat-proof bowl over the pot. The bowl should not be able to touch the water in the pot. Glass or metal bowls work best for this. Do not use plastic!
- Place the honey, ginger, turmeric, and fresh pepper in the bowl of the double boiler. Turn the heat to medium and allow the honey to heat, stirring frequently to distribute the ginger and turmeric.
- Once the honey has reached a water-like consistency, remove it from the heat. Set the bowl aside, covered, and allow to infuse for 8 hours or overnight.
- Return the bowl to the double boiler and reheat the honey until it once again reaches a water-like consistency.
- Pour the liquid honey through a fine mesh sieve into a container or jar for storing. Discard the grated ginger and turmeric caught by the sieve. Store the honey in an airtight jar at room temperature.
Ingredients
- Juice of one lemon
- Boiling water (enough to fill your mug)
- 1 tablespoon Immunity Boosting Ginger + Turmeric Honey
Instructions
- Boil your water. While the water is coming to a boil, juice the lemon directly into your mug, being mindful to remove any seeds.
- Once the water is boiling, pour it over the lemon juice. Stir in a tablespoon of Immunity Boosting Ginger + Turmeric Honey and enjoy the soothing effects of this age old home remedy.