Herbal AntiViral - Fresh Ginger Root

I am going to preface this blog entry by saying I am not a medical expert. All the information I am sharing is straight out of Stephen Harrod Buhner's book Herbal Antivirals. Mr. Buhner is the expert and all I'm doing is sharing information that is easily accessible. There is a section in his book on fresh ginger and (the reason for this entry) I thought this root is something that is easily accessible to most everyone. 

Why Fresh Ginger? Fresh ginger root is a respiratory antiviral. It will help reduce fever, reduce cold chills, reduce inflammation in the bronchial passageways, thin mucus and helps move it out of the system, reduce coughing, and increase blood circulation. 

Dry ginger found in tea bags is not strong enough since the essential oils are reduced considerably in the drying process. 

Fresh ginger root is best.  

Note of caution: 

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, fresh ginger in high doses would not be recommended.   

Also, may aggravate gallstones, so if you suffer from them caution is advised.  

Fresh Ginger Juice Tea

Juice one or more pieces of fresh (peeled) ginger. (Save the plant matter that is left over to make an infusion). 

Combine 1/4 cup of fresh ginger juice with 1.5 cups of hot water, 1 tbsp raw honey, the squeezed juice of one quarter lime, 1/8 tsp cayenne (his recipe). The tea is pretty spicy without the cayenne. 

This tea should be consumed every 2-3 hours if you are sick. 

To stay healthy against the virus, a couple of cups of ginger tea a day works. 

Candied ginger root slices or pickled ginger are great snacks and healthy stimulants for the system.

Infuse the leftover plant matter from juicing and steep it in 2 cups of hot water, allow to steep for 4-8 hours, covered. Strain and use the infused liquid as you would ginger juice.

If you don't have a juicer, grate or chop the peeled ginger root (size of your thumb) as finely as you can. Steep in 1.5 cups hot water for 2-3 hours covered (covering preserves the essential oils). Strain and use the infused liquid as you would ginger juice. 

If you are really sick: 6 cups of tea per day minimum.  

For the geeks like me: As an antiviral, ginger inhibits the attachment of viruses to the cell, inhibits hemagglutinin (red blood cells clump together), inhibits viral proteases, inhibits neuraminidase, stimulates antiviral macrophage activity, is virucidal. It is antibacterial, antiarthritic, antifungal...I can keep going but you get the picture.  

Shout out to Mr. Stephen Harrod Buhner for the information. 

Pass this on to anyone who can't wait for a vaccine.  

Be well, stay safe and wear a mask in public.  

With love,

Lily