How Our Family Deals with the Flu
It appears to be flu season, cough, cold, yuck. If you would like to have a simple, homeopathic remedy (remember, I am neither a doctor, a homeopath, a midwife... nothing... just opinionated :) you might add cultured ginger ale to your families life. Purchasing ginger ale probably won't give you the benefits. Our family always has ginger ale brewing on the counter and a ginger ale/juice mix in the fridge.
Ginger Ale Break
To learn how to make ginger ale, go to Whey and Ginger Ale Recipes. Remember that a good gut is your best defense against germs, pathogens, and a generally toxic world. Ginger Ale is one of the daily things we add for continued gut health.
Why ginger ale, you ask.... well, if you look at the benefits of ginger ale, that might answer your question. My personal opinion is that cultured ginger ale is BY FAR the most efficient way to incorporate this wonder food into your life. It is not cooked, the enzymes are all there, it is lacto fermented, the nutrients are bio available and accessible, and you can make it taste pretty good by mixing it with a little juice (I have no hard research on this since I made it up myself... it is kind of an odd drink to get used to.)
Ginger Ale with Pomegranate Lime Juice
If you or your family like ginger ale, you don't need to mix it with juice. It keeps for a long, Long, LONG time if you don't mix it with juice and you throw it into the back of the fridge. I always keep a clearly labeled bottle of it, with some of the ginger in the bottom, in the back of the fridge.... Why? If you have a puking family member, pull out the plain ginger ale. Give them one tablespoon, by sips, wait 10 or 20 minutes and then give them another tablespoon. This nutralizes that yuck feeling in your throat and mouth, so have them swish it in their mouth for a bit before swallowing.If you are pregnant, are involved with chemo, or get motion sickness, you might also give cultured ginger ale a try. (It helps by turning off something in your brain that tells you to puke - some studies show ginger to be more effective than Dramamine for motion sickness). Again, my opinion is that the cultured ginger ale is almost the most efficient way to get the benefits of this amazing rhizome.
There are so many benefits available. I'll list some of the ginger ale benefits as I know them here, and some links for you to do your own due diligence. Remember, your families health is ultimately your responsibility and you should check out some remedies, some preventions. Don't ever subcontract your families health to anyone... doctor, chiropractor, dentist, therapist.... or friend.
Yum!
My personal list of ginger benefits: (please remember that this is not an "instant" thing... except for puking or acid reflux... we drink ginger ale every day... these are just some of the helpful things ginger can help you with over time)
- Overall anti fungal, anti inflammatory, anti bacterial, anti everything... but in a healthy way :)
- Stops heartburn and acid reflux
- Digestion Aid and helps with gas and bloating
- Reduces inflammation
- Fever Reducer
- Morning Sickness help (with changes in diet)
- Mild headache remedy (I still use aspirin occasionally)
- Energy drink (when mixed with minerals and juice)
- Calms your nerves... a little bit :)
- Food poisoning relief (some - a good, healthy, active gut is your best defense against food poisoning..... OK, full disclosure, we use live sauerkraut regularly to combat any food poisoning :)
- Menstrual Cramp relief
- Some research shows lowered cholesterol levels (when used on a regular basis)
- Refreshing soda type of drink... It is so good in the summer over ice!
I might revisit this page and add stuff.... I am really doing this off the top of my head and might change this page when I have a bit of time. A little stretched in the time category this morning :) If anyone has another remedy.... please let me know.
THE EXTRA STEP - PHASE 1
Don't try to go to every one of these sites. Many of them have repetitive information. These are just some of the ones I like really well. I try to find ones that don't have pop up ads, but don't always catch them.
So, true confessions, ginger chews are my all time favorite candy, but I have not been able to get them :( This is their site for health benefits and it is really good.
These sites are selling their stuff, but they have links to lots and lots of research. I have not looked at all of it, but some of it. I especially like the links they have on motion sickness and on cholesterol.
Here is a nice bullet point with research list and one with the nutritional breakdown
Here is a nice, short list with some research and one with the use of honey and ginger.
Anyway.... this is easy and inexpensive and a good tonic for winter.
Best of Health to you
Cindy
