The ultimate guide to ginger tea
People reach for ginger tea for all sorts of reasons. A cold coming on. An unsettled stomach. The sharpness and warmth of the root itself, which is unlike anything else in the world of herbal infusions. Whatever brings you here, this is a complete and honest guide to what ginger tea actually is, what it does, and how to make it well.
It is worth flagging at the outset that "ginger tea" can mean three quite different things: fresh root infused in hot water, dried ginger prepared as a loose leaf or bagged tea, or a blend in which ginger is one ingredient among several. Each version behaves differently in the cup, and this guide covers all three. For more on how blends work and what goes into them,
Our guide to ginger tea blends explains what to look for beyond the ingredients list.
What is ginger tea?
Ginger tea is a caffeine-free herbal infusion made from the root of Zingiber officinale, the common ginger plant. It has been used in traditional medicine across Asia, the Middle East, and South America for centuries, prized both for its distinctive flavour and for the active compounds, particularly gingerols and shogaols, that give the root its heat and pungency.
Unlike black, green, white, or oolong tea, ginger tea is not made from Camellia sinensis, which means it contains no caffeine naturally. This makes it suitable at any time of day, including in the evening, for anyone managing their caffeine intake.
The three forms differ in strength, flavour, and convenience. Fresh ginger root, sliced or grated directly into hot water, produces the sharpest, most peppery cup and is generally considered the most potent for digestive and anti-nausea purposes. Dried ginger, whether in a tea bag or a loose leaf blend, is milder and more convenient, with a rounder, less aggressive character. A blend, where ginger is combined with lemongrass, liquorice, or other ingredients, changes the flavour profile further still.
Fresh ginger tea vs dried ginger tea
The difference between fresh and dried ginger goes deeper than convenience. Fresh root contains higher levels of gingerols, the compounds associated with ginger's most studied effects on nausea and digestion. When ginger is dried, some of those gingerols convert to shogaols, which have their own properties but produce a different character in the cup: warmer and slightly more bitter rather than sharp and peppery.
For someone reaching for ginger tea at the first sign of motion sickness or digestive discomfort, fresh root is worth the extra preparation. For an everyday cup, dried ginger or a well-made blend is a perfectly reasonable and more consistent choice.
Ginger blends, like lemongrass and ginger
Many retail ginger teas are blends rather than pure ginger infusions, and that distinction matters. A blend changes both the flavour and the concentration of ginger in the cup. Lemongrass, for example, adds a bright, citrus-edged note that softens ginger's heat and makes for a more approachable everyday drink. Whether that is a benefit or a compromise depends entirely on what you are looking for.
JING's Lemongrass and Ginger tea pairs the two ingredients with care, giving ginger's warmth the space to come through without overwhelming the cup.
How to make ginger tea
The method depends on which form of ginger you are starting with, and getting it right makes a noticeable difference to both flavour and the compounds extracted.
For fresh ginger root, slice or grate roughly 2 to 3cm of peeled root per cup. Place in a mug or small saucepan, cover with just-boiled water, and leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes for a properly strong cup. A shorter infusion produces a milder result; if you find the heat too intense, start with 5 minutes and adjust from there. The skin can be left on if the root is organic and well washed.
For dried ginger or a loose leaf ginger blend, infuse at close to 100°C for 3 to 4 minutes. Unlike green or white tea, which are damaged by boiling water, herbal infusions made from roots and dried botanicals generally need the heat to extract their compounds properly.
For a broader explanation of why infusing temperature matters across different tea types, our guide to infusing water temperature covers the full picture.
Adding lemon or honey
Both are common additions and neither undermines what ginger does. Lemon adds a brightness that sharpens the cup and pairs well with ginger's heat. Honey softens both the bitterness and the sharpness, which can make ginger tea considerably more approachable for anyone trying it for the first time or drinking it while unwell. Neither changes the fundamental character of the infusion, and both are worth trying before deciding which you prefer.
The benefits of ginger tea
This is general wellness information, not medical advice, and it is presented as such. Anyone who is pregnant, taking medication, or managing a specific health condition should speak to a doctor before using ginger tea regularly. With that said, ginger has a genuine and well-documented history of use, and the research behind certain benefits is considerably stronger than for most herbal remedies.
Nausea relief is where the evidence is most developed. Multiple clinical trials have examined ginger's effects on nausea from motion sickness, post-operative recovery, and pregnancy-related morning sickness, and the results are broadly positive. Ginger is one of the better-evidenced natural options for nausea, though dosage and preparation affect the results, and anyone pregnant should take advice before relying on it regularly.
Digestive comfort is a second area with reasonable support. Ginger has traditionally been used to ease bloating and settle an upset stomach, and some research suggests it may help accelerate gastric emptying, which can reduce the sensation of fullness and discomfort after eating. The effect is modest and the evidence still developing, but it is the basis for centuries of traditional use.
Its long association with colds and sore throats is harder to quantify in clinical terms, but ginger's warmth and the steam of a hot infusion are genuinely soothing for an irritated throat, whatever the underlying mechanism. The anti-inflammatory compounds in ginger have been studied in other contexts, though research into direct effects on blood sugar or inflammation in humans remains preliminary and should not be treated as established fact.
Side effects and who should be careful with ginger tea
For most people, ginger tea in reasonable amounts is well tolerated and entirely safe. The side effects that do occur are typically mild and dose-related: heartburn, a warm sensation in the throat, or mild digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities on an empty stomach.
There are a small number of situations where caution is warranted. Ginger can interact with blood-thinning medication, including warfarin, and anyone taking anticoagulants should check with their doctor before making ginger tea a regular habit. People with gallstones are also advised to be cautious, as ginger stimulates bile production. During pregnancy, moderate amounts are generally considered safe and may help with morning sickness, but it is worth discussing with a healthcare provider before using it regularly, particularly in the first trimester or in higher doses.
Find your ginger tea
Once you understand what you are looking for in a ginger tea, choosing well becomes straightforward. Fresh root is the most potent option and the most work. A dried ginger tea bag is the most convenient. A well-made blend sits between the two, offering ginger's warmth balanced by other ingredients in proportions that make the result more enjoyable as an everyday drink.
JING's Lemongrass and Ginger loose tea and Lemongrass and Ginger tea bags offer both formats for those who want quality and convenience together. Explore JING's herbal tea range to find the right cup for your routine.
Frequently asked questions
Does ginger tea have caffeine?
No. Ginger tea, whether made from fresh root, dried ginger, or a herbal blend, is naturally caffeine-free. Unlike black, green, or white tea, ginger does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is the source of caffeine in true teas.
Is ginger tea good for nausea?
Yes, ginger is one of the better-evidenced natural remedies for nausea, with research supporting its use for motion sickness and mild pregnancy-related nausea. The evidence is stronger here than for most of ginger's other associated benefits. Anyone pregnant should check with a doctor before using it regularly.
What are the side effects of ginger tea?
In most people, the only side effects are mild digestive discomfort or heartburn if consumed in large amounts. Ginger can also interact with blood-thinning medication, so check with a doctor if you are taking any. Most people can drink it daily without issue.
How long should you infuse ginger tea?
Fresh ginger root benefits from a longer infusion, around 10 to 15 minutes, for a properly strong cup. Dried ginger or a loose leaf ginger blend typically needs only 3 to 4 minutes at close to 100°C. A shorter infusion time produces a milder result if you find the heat of ginger tea too intense at first.
Is fresh or dried ginger tea better?
Fresh ginger root generally gives a stronger, sharper cup and is often preferred for digestive benefits, since it contains higher levels of gingerols than dried ginger. Dried ginger is milder, more convenient, and produces a more consistent result, which makes it a practical everyday choice for most people.
