How to Make A Ginger Tincture

Ginger is one of those ingredients whose uses seem almost limitless. Ginger is used as food, as a flavoring for food and beverages, as culinary medicine, in aromatherapy, in herbal medicine, and as tea, among many others. This delicious, helpful ginger tincture incorporates all the above. Incredibly, the use of this simple ginger tincture aids a plethora of health issues.

The benefits of ginger are vast. The recipe below shows details of extracting those many benefits. It also shows how to use the tincture for maximum advantage.

A short history of Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) has been used by humans for a long, long time. We can tell that it was used in medieval times as the name, officinalis, denotes it was kept as medicine during this period. The first records of ginger being used date back much farther. In fact, it is thought that ginger has been used for over 5000 years. Its use has spread globally, possibly first originating in Maritime Southeast Asia. It reached Europe via Asia during the Spice Trade and was used by ancient Greeks and Romans, possibly as far back as 1500 BC.

In current times, ginger influences the cuisines of many cultures. Incredibly, global ginger production reaches over 3 million tons annually. With India producing 1 million tons themselves, and many other tropical countries having large annual production including China and Nigeria.

To extol the many virtues of this delicious aromatic plant is only a challenge in not missing any virtue of importance. For this reason, we have made two categories of how to use and benefit from ginger, although they are somewhat intertwined.

Edible Uses of Ginger:

Ginger root or rhizome is used in cooking and baking. The hot and spicy flavor lends itself well to both sweet and savory dishes.

• Flavoring of cakes, cookies, and candies.
• Flavoring dishes such as curries and stir-fries.
• Flavoring condiments such as chutneys and pickles.
• Flavoring beverages including tea, ginger beer, and ginger ale.

Medicinal Uses of Ginger:

Impressively, ginger is an ingredient in over half of Ayurveda and Chinese medicine preparations.

• It aids digestive issues including indigestion, colic, stomach spasms, and helps aid stomach emptying.
• It treats nausea including motion sickness and importantly, morning sickness.
• Ginger is a powerful antioxidant; thus, it helps to reduce oxidative stress.
• Ginger may help improve cholesterol levels.
• Ginger can improve pain issues including sprains, spasms, osteoarthritis, and menstrual cramps.
• The gingerol in ginger may be a substance that can help prevent types of cancer.
• Taking ginger powder may lower blood sugar levels and provide antidiabetic support which may, in turn, reduce risk factors of heart disease.
• Because ginger extracts have been shown to inhibit certain bacteria, it is helpful in reducing the risk of infection.
• Due to gingers’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, it shows promise to enhance brain function while reducing degenerative cognitive decline.

Where to Find Ginger

Ginger grows in tropical climates, in zones 9 to 12. It takes about 8 to 10 months from planting to harvest. In general, ginger is grown from ginger seed, which is much like potato seed. That is to say, ginger is grown from pieces of ginger root. In a large production, ginger is grown with the monsoons, so requires a lot of water.

To grow ginger at home, it may be possible if you can replicate growing conditions such as tropical climate, rich soil, protection from wind and frost, humidity, as well as necessary irrigation requirements.

The root of ginger is most often what is available. If you are able to grow your own ginger, it is interesting that in addition to the roots, the flowers, pseudostems, new shoots, and leaves also have edible uses.

Otherwise, ginger is generally available fresh at most grocery stores. It is also found dried and ground. There are many reasons to use dried ginger. This is because, surprisingly, certain beneficial properties of ginger are more available from dried ginger products rather than those found in fresh ginger.

As I tend to use ginger for cooking, I more often have fresh ginger in the kitchen.

Tincture Ingredients

• Dry ground ginger or fresh chopped ginger.
• High-quality alcohol such as vodka or brandy.
• Dry ground ginger to alcohol ratio: 1-part dried ginger to 3 parts alcohol.
• Fresh chopped ginger to alcohol ratio: 1-part fresh ginger to 1 – 2 parts alcohol.

We are using an extraction method using high-quality alcohol. This is because alcohol has an incredible ability to work as a solvent that extracts beneficial components from plants. It is remarkably able to do this at room temperature over a short period of time. It also makes the plant’s beneficial components shelf-stable.

There are other ingredients that also work as extractors. In fact, water extracts beneficial plant components when we simply make tea. My understanding is that if it is a tincture, it has an alcohol-based extraction method. For those who prefer a non-alcohol option, a choice is to use vegetable-based glycerin, for an alcohol-free extraction.

The alcohol I am using is from a local distillery. You might choose to use unflavored clear liquor such as vodka. Tinctures are also often made from brandy.

Method

This method follows the philosophy of simple-is-best. We will be using the simple or folk method. This is relatively easy and requires only basic equipment. Essentially, we put our ginger root in a glass container, cover it with alcohol, and allow it to steep for several weeks.

Step 1: Gather ingredients and equipment. Clean and sterilize a jar or container. Wash ginger.

Step 2: Remove ginger root’s peel. The easiest method to do this is to gently scrape the peel off with a spoon.

Step 3: Rough chop the clean, peeled ginger root. You will notice how juicy it is!

Step 4: Place ginger in a clean, sterilized glass jar and cover with your choice of alcohol.

Step 5: Seal the jar and put it in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. Check on the tincture every so often to give it a shake or a stir.

Step 6: At the desired time, get ready to strain or sieve the ginger tincture. As the chopped ginger root is rather large, a fine mesh strainer is often fine enough to sieve off the liquid alcohol.

Step 7: Press the ginger root to expel as much of the tincture as possible. The remaining alcohol-soaked ginger chunks can be dried or refrigerated to use as garnishes for fun summer adult beverages. I’m drying these and plan to soak them in maple syrup to serve with homemade hard ginger-lemonade.

Step 8: The 2 ounces of ginger tincture that is made here can be kept in the fridge to use for flavoring beverages. It is powerful and strongly flavored with hot, spicy ginger. It might also be placed in a tincture bottle with a dropper for ease of use.

How To Use Ginger Tincture

Ginger Tincture is excellent to use in daily tonics, and as a digestive aid before or after a meal. The ginger tincture can be added to a cup of tea or other warm beverage of your choice. It is also delicious added to cold beverages and flavored waters such as cucumber water. Yet, another great way to use this tincture is to include it in homemade salad dressings, marinades, and stir fry sauces.

Warm Soothing Beverage with Ginger Tincture

• 1 teaspoon each ginger tincture, pure lemon juice, sweetener of your choice. Honey is always lovely. Try dandelion syrup to boost the health benefits.
• Add to 2 cups pure, high-quality water that is just simmered but not boiling. Enjoy.

Refreshing Hard Ginger-Lemonade

• 

  1 tablespoon each pure lemon juice, and maple syrup.

• 1 teaspoon ginger tincture.
• 1-ounce vodka or distilled liquor.
• 1 cup tonic or soda water.
• Garnish with dried alcohol-soaked ginger, if desired.

Ginger Tincture Dosage

Use 10 drops or 1 teaspoon of ginger tincture up to 3 times a day, as needed.

Cautions

Ginger constituents and extracts are suggested to be safe.

An allergic reaction is always possible with new substances. Try a skin test by putting a small amount on the inside of your wrist a day or two before commencing using a ginger tincture. Check for any rash, hives, or itchiness that may indicate an adverse allergic reaction.

Of course, follow the advice of your medical professional regarding starting any new supplement. Do check with your health care providers about any possible medication contraindications. Care should also be taken if pregnant or nursing due to the alcohol content and possible side effects from ginger.

Final Thoughts

The ginger tincture is a delicious way to incorporate this incredibly healthful plant into your daily routine. It has many helpful benefits to aid digestion, nausea, and pain, among many other conditions. We hope this strong ginger concentrate is one more helpful way to include ginger’s many benefits into your day.

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