This easy, simple herbal tea is fantastic and multifunctional: feel an illness coming on? Having morning sickness? Getting tired of that hot lemon water in the morning? This takes care of all that and more.
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Whew, chile. Who would've seen a whole entire global pandemic coming?
I need to know who is playing Plague, Inc. on god mode because I have Jesus on the mainline and He'd like to discuss some things.
Whenever there's a whiff of sickness around my house, I bust out the teas, the soups, and the Lysol. And the onion slices. Hey, if you know, you know.
This cinnamon ginger tea stays in my fridge during the cold weather seasons. One, because it's full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent sickness and heal you when you are sick and help keep you healthy, hydrated, and even helps with weight loss; and two, it smells like apple pie and tastes amazing. I mean, lemon water who?
This type of tea has been used as medicine in Asian culture for eons, and I drink it daily. Not just to ward off the cold, the flu, or the Corona, but also because it is great for everyday health!
How to Make Cinnamon Ginger Tea
It's super easy to make. All you need is five ingredients:
- Cinnamon Sticks. Ground cinnamon just isn't able to give the same flavor, and can sometimes become bitter. Try to find ones that are 'Ceylon' cinnamon, as the Cassia cinnamon can make you sick in high doses. Ceylon is lighter brown with thin layers, while Cassia cinnamon is darker brown with one thick layer curled up.
- Fresh Ginger Root. Cutting it into slices helps it steep in the water more efficiently.
- Peel of a Washed Lemon. Use a vegetable peeler to get nice thick strips. Make sure to only get the peel and not so much the pith --the white part under the skin-- as it's extremely bitter.
- Honey, sugar, or other sweeteners. Whatever your preference is to sweeten up the tea. I love using honey for its health properties whenever I feel a cough coming.
- Cold Water.
In a large pot, add the cinnamon sticks, ginger slices, and lemon peel to the water and bring it to a boil for 10 minutes then bring down to a simmer. Let this all steep for as long as you want, even past an hour.
Pour into a pitcher or carafe and keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Cinnamon Ginger Tea has Health Benefits
We all know that we are what we eat and yes, food can (and often does!) have medicinal properties. Here are just some of the great things that this simple, easy tea does for the body.
Cinnamon
- Loaded with polyphenol antioxidants, which protect the body's tissues against oxidative stress and associated illnesses like cancers, coronary heart disease, and inflammation.
- Is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, which is the world's most common cause of death.
- Lowers LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
- Can increase insulin sensitivity, reduce insulin resistance, and lower blood sugar
- Cinnamaldehyde, one of the main active components of cinnamon, may help fight various kinds of infection, including tooth decay.
Ginger
- Reduces the symptoms of nausea, especially in pregnant women
- Is an anti-inflammatory
- Lowers blood sugar
- Studies have also seen ginger help reduce the risk of heart disease
- Helps treat chronic indigestion
- Relieves menstrual pain
- Lowers LDL cholesterol levels
- May prevent Alzheimers and cancers thanks to antioxidant properties
- Is effective against infections, including respiratory infections
Lemon Peel
- High in flavonoid antioxidants and vitamin C
- D-limonene, an antioxidant, is linked to lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
- Boosts the immune system
- Boosts overall heart health
- Can treat gall stones and can help prevent cancer
Honey
- Rich in antioxidants
- Helps lower blood pressure
- Raises HDL (good) cholesterol and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels
- Lowers risk of diabetes and heart disease
- Helps treat coughs and improves sleep quality in those who have an upper respiratory infection
Yes, y'all. This tea is a total powerhouse for your health. And it tastes great. It's a win-win situation here with affordable ingredients.
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📖 Recipe

Ginger Cinnamon Tea
This easy cinnamon ginger tea is an ancient eastern drink enjoyed for its medicinal properties and great taste. Use it for overall daily health and to ward off illness.
Ingredients
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Peel of 1 washed lemon
- 2 inches fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced into coins
- 16 cups (3.8 L) cold water
- Honey, to taste
Instructions
- Add the cinnamon sticks, lemon peel, and ginger slices to a large heavy bottom pot filled with the cold water. Bring to a boil and boil for 20 minutes.
- Bring heat down to low and let simmer for up to 2 hours or until ready to serve. You can serve it immediately after boiling for 20 minutes.
- Serve hot with honey, or chill in a carafe or pitcher. Keep in the fridge for up to one week. It can be served hot or cold.
Notes
- Use Ceylon cinnamon (I know the brand Badia has it) as Cassia cinnamon can make you sick with large doses.
- You can drink this day or night, hot or cold.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 6Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g

Eden Westbrook is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Sweet Tea and Thyme. A classically trained chef, Eden has inspired home cooks into the kitchen with cultural comfort foods, easy family-friendly eats and sweets, and glorious spreads for date night and entertaining since 2015.
Sally Hulse says
This tea is soooo soothing on a sore throat. I had a horrific cough and my throat was like razor blades.
This tea was just pure relief.
Not to mention it made my house smell amazing.
Thank you so much, Sally! I hope you feel better, take it easy on yourself!
Riga says
Love the taste and it helps with a sore throat aswell. Thanks a million
Mary French says
Can’t wait to try it! I’ve been drinking lemon and honey daily. (Added cinnamon stick this morning, yummy!) Happy I bought the ginger root yesterday! Helps tremendously with allergies and overall health.
It’s really delicious! I make a pot every morning during cold and flu season!
Molly says
Thanks so much for the break down of each ingredient..Am definitely making this for myself now.
Jessica Kirk says
Can't wait to wake up to this in the morning. Great way to start my day!
Jessica Kirk says
Sounds delicious while helping to keep our immunity up. Thanks!
Karen says
This tea is just what I need this morning - lovely!
Kaluhi says
Looks really refreshing and loaded with a ton of nutrients! I love it!!!
Jazz says
Perfect timing for this tea! Love how simple it is and I appreciate you breaking down the benefits of each ingredient.
portia says
I just love your writing! I am making this tea tonight! I have ginger and cinnamon sticks and you’re right my kids are tired of the typical ginger tea with lemon. thanks sis
Tisha says
I'm definitely in need of this right now! Thank you!
Capri says
I am making this right now! I love antioxidant-rich immunity, boosting drinks! Great Recipe!
Julia says
Saving this! Thanks for the recipe as I have been looking for natural ways to boost our immune system and this sounds perfect!
Cookilicious says
Now I am dreaming of this tea! Looks so inviting and clearly is the need of the hour.
kim says
Love this recipe! So easy with such great flavor! Will definitely be making again!
Tawnie Kroll says
I had a cup of this yesterday afternoon and it warmed me right up - thank you so much!
Sharon Chen says
Perfect drink for my preggy friends. Thanks for sharing this!
Brittany Fiero says
I feel like I can smell the flavor through the screen! This tea sounds delicious and healthy. We all need something comforting and healing these days.
Marta says
Uffff! We need all the immunity boosting we can get these days! Thanks for this tea recipe.