When is the Best Time to Drink Ginger Tea? A Complete Guide

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Few natural remedies have as much scientific clout as ginger. Research-proven, this humble root is cultivated worldwide for its medicinal properties.

Native to Asia, ginger tea is a powerful digestive aid, cold remedy, and weight loss potion. But like all medicines, when you take it can be as important as how much.

Delicious and nutritious, a cup of ginger tea can cure what ails you if you know when to put the kettle on.

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When Is the Best Time to Drink Ginger Tea?

Essentially, ginger tea is a herbal tisane, made by steeping fresh or dried ginger root in hot water.

So unless you purchase a loose-leaf blend or bagged tea, no tea leaves are included. It’s the phenolic and terpene compounds in the ginger root that treat a broad range of conditions from inflammation to cough.

In general, you can drink ginger tea any time of the day to enjoy its benefits. The best option is to drink several cups throughout the day.

But if you are using this herbal remedy for a specific purpose, timing can be important:

Digestion

When to drink: As a digestive remedy, ginger tea is best sipped after meals.

This herbal tea is a bit spicy so it might upset sensitive stomachs without food as a buffer. After a meal, however, ginger boosts bile production, enhancing digestion.

It also reduces bloating and controls constipation by speeding food through the intestinal tract. Studies confirm it’s particularly effective for nausea associated with morning sickness or chemotherapy.

Colds

When to drink: Throughout the day.

For cold symptoms, the warmth of ginger tea is a welcomed respite from the misery of cold symptoms.

But the benefits don’t end there. In studies, ginger has been shown to inhibit cough. It contains compounds known to relax airway muscles and relieve irritation.

Sore Throat

When to drink: Sip it warm first thing in the morning, throughout the day, and at bedtime.

Ginger tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can take the sting out of a sore throat.

As an immune system booster, ginger not only alleviates cold symptoms, but it can also decrease their duration. Laboratory studies show it kills viruses and the bacteria that cause strep throat.

Arthritis and Joint Pain

When to drink: Twice a day — keep on drinking every day continuously.

Gingerol and shogaol, the same anti-inflammatory compounds that soothe irritated throats, may also relieve osteoarthritis-related knee pain as well as top-selling drugs.

Research suggests it blocks pro-inflammatory proteins in the body that make conditions like arthritis worse without the gastrointestinal side effects.

For chronic conditions, like joint pain, ginger tea is best consumed twice daily on the regular schedule of your choice.

The effects are more cumulative than immediate, so don’t quit if you don’t feel an improvement right away. It may take a few weeks to reap the benefits.

Migraines

When to drink: Drink a cup at the first sign of symptoms.

Immediate effects of ginger tea, however, are proven for those with migraines. An analysis of studies shows that ginger was significantly more effective than placebos at providing relief from headaches.

With only one dose, people reported less pain after two hours. And better yet, the ginger also relieved nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.

Brain Function

When to drink: Twice a day — keep on drinking every day continuously.

One great thing is that ginger tea may also improve cognitive function. The same anti-inflammatory properties that make ginger antiviral also inhibit inflammation in the brain.

In a 2011 study, women aged 50 to 60 showed improvements in memory and reaction time with once-daily doses of ginger for two months. Corroborated by animal studies, these findings suggest that ginger tea could be an ally in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive dysfunction.

Best Time to Drink Ginger Tea for Weight Loss

Ginger tea can be a great help in losing weight. This is such an important topic that we will discuss it very thoroughly.

When to drink: First thing in the morning and before or after meals — keep on drinking every day continuously.

This spicy herbal tea has been used for generations to control appetite and enhance fat burning. But how it works and when may surprise you.

We all know that filling up on warm liquids makes you feel less hungry. In a 2013 study, men felt fuller and consumed fewer calories at mealtime after sipping a hot ginger tea. And similar studies show that ginger may increase metabolism by up to 20 percent when consumed regularly regardless of time.

Ginger also has a beneficial effect on high blood sugar and insulin resistance, two risk factors for weight gain. Mitigating either can help you lose weight and control your body mass index long term.

Studies show that the consumption of ginger can improve insulin sensitivity. Combined, animal and human research demonstrate that bioactive compounds in ginger can protect you from diabetes and the insulin resistance that contributes to weight gain.

More human studies are needed, but the results are promising.

If slimming down is your goal, I recommend making ginger tea a part of your daily routine. A serving now and then won’t have an impact.

I recommend a cup first thing in the morning and before or after meals to synchronize the benefits.

And while it’s best to drink it warm for sore throats, iced ginger tea is as effective for weight loss. Brew a pitcher in the morning and enjoy it throughout the day!

Weight Loss Ginger Tea Recipe

For the best result in slimming down and burning fat, I recommend combining ginger root with other ingredients.

Adding yerba mate or green tea will aid your body in burning fat more effectively, give you an energy boost, and help with suppressing your appetite. Hibiscus can further boost your metabolism and help with burning fat in your body.

Here is my favorite weight loss ginger tea recipe:

Ingredients:

1-2 tbsp Fresh Grated Ginger
1 tbsp of Yerba Mate Tea or Green Tea
1 tbsp of Dried Hibiscus Flower
2 cups Water

NOTE: If you want to make things easier, check out my guide with the best ginger tea brands instead of using fresh ginger.

Instructions:

Add water and ginger into a saucepan or tea kettle. Heat until the water starts to boil.
Lower the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and add yerba mate tea or green tea and dried hibiscus.
Steep for about 3 minutes.
Strain into cups and enjoy!

Best Time to Drink Ginger Tea for Acid Reflux

Acid reflux can be a very debilitating condition — I know this from personal experience. So it makes sense to dedicate a bit of time to exploring how ginger tea can help in your recovery.

When to drink: After meals.

I have been using ginger tea for acid reflux and found it very effective. There is also plenty of scientific evidence that supports the use of ginger to treat heartburn and acid reflux.

As explained earlier, ginger tea can be a great digestive aid. And having a well-functioning digestive system is important in avoiding heartburn and acid reflux.

When food is not digested normally, it’s more likely that you will have issues like excessive gas, which can make acid reflux worse.

The phenolic compounds in ginger tea can help improve the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which plays an important role in preventing stomach acid from going upwards and causing heartburn.

Ginger tea also stimulates the flow of digestive juices and aids in reducing gastric contractions that might cause stomach acid to get into the esophagus. In addition, it may reduce the inflammation of the esophagus and help with gastrointestinal irritation.

Acid Reflux Ginger Tea Recipe

I recommend combining ginger with other herbs to get the maximum benefit in treating acid reflux and heartburn.

Chamomile can aid in reducing gastric acidity and inflammation of the esophagus, while licorice root improves the protective mucus layer of the esophageal lining. Chamomile tea can also improve sleep quality and help reduce stress, which is important in treating acid reflux.

Here is my recommended ginger tea recipe for treating acid reflux: