A traditional Chinese honey ginger remedy

Chinese people discovered honey's health benefits long ago. In the "Compendium of Materia Medica," the Traditional Chinese Medicine classic by pharmacist Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), there are detailed records about honey's incredible power - "honey can help dispel pathogenic heat, clear away toxins, relieve pain and combat dehydration." Li Shizhen also wrote that eating honey every morning can help prevent constipation and it is a good choice for those who suffer chronic coughing.

For many Chinese people, it becomes a habit to stir some honey into a cup of warm water to drink every morning. As told by our Chinese team member Yiting, besides consuming honey in water on a daily basis, her mum always makes a concoction of fresh lemon, ginger and honey as a cold remedy or just a delicious soothing tea for the family when the season starts to change. With the high Vitamin C in lemons and the yang (hot) property of ginger, this drink is believed by Chinese, to warm your stomach, removes cold from the body, soothe your throat and increase immunities.

Here Yiting shares her mum's recipe!

Ingredients

2 lemons (thoroughly cleaned)

1 piece of fresh ginger (about the size of your thumb)

For best flavour and effect, use 2 teaspoons of Melora Manuka honey UMF 10+ and 3 teaspoons of Melora Multifloral honey

500ml / 17 oz Mason jar

Directions

1. Peel ginger - use a small knife or a spoon with sharp edge, scrape off skins from ginger.

2. Slice lemons and ginger.

2. Place the lemon and ginger slices in the mason jar, alternating layers of each.

3. Spoon honey in over the lemon and ginger. Wiggle occasionally to allow the honey to sink down and around the lemon and ginger slices.

4. Seal the jar tightly and store in the refrigerator. Over time, the mixture will start to thicken.

5. When you are in need of some soothing tea, scoop 1-2 teaspoons into a mug full of warm water (around 60 ℃) - be sure to scoop 2 pieces of lemon and 1 slice of ginger. Allow to steep for 3-4 minutes and sip away.

A traditional Chinese honey ginger remedy