If you’re among the 10–30% of adults who have difficulty falling or staying asleep, you may be looking for ways to get more rest.
Drinking an herbal tonic, like lemon-ginger tea, could be a soothing bedtime ritual to help put the day behind you.
Lemon-ginger tea is exactly what it sounds like: a gentle herbal infusion of fresh lemon and ginger — with a bit of sweetener like honey or agave nectar if you choose.
You might be wondering if lemon-ginger tea has any unique health benefits. While it may not make you sleepy, it might help you wind down, relax, and provide other benefits.
This article examines the 7 benefits of bedtime lemon-ginger tea and explains how to make it.
1. Lemon-ginger tea soothes indigestion
If chronic indigestion or a heavy dinner keeps you up later than you would like, a cup of lemon-ginger tea may be an excellent tonic before you head for bed.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a root long used in alternative and folk medicine for its ability to alleviate the delayed emptying of your stomach.
What’s more, lemon (Citrus limon) contains a plant compound called limonene that aids digestion by helping move food along your digestive tract — potentially easing the uncomfortable feeling of fullness.
While the amount of limonene in a given cup of lemon-ginger tea will vary, you might find that the combination of lemon, ginger, and water in lemon-ginger tea calms indigestion.
Summary: Both lemon and ginger contain plant compounds that may help soothe minor bellyaches brought on by indigestion.
2. Lemon-ginger tea may alleviate nausea
Ginger has long been touted for its ability to alleviate nausea, which many people experience during pregnancy or chemotherapy, among many other situations. According to research, consuming 1–1.5 grams of ginger daily may be enough to get an anti-nausea effect.
One review article found that ginger prevented and reduced chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in half of the studies assessed.
While scientists haven’t pinpointed how ginger works to reduce nausea, they recognize gingerol as one of the primary plant compounds responsible for this effect.
However, results have been mixed. In another review of seven studies, three found that ginger had a positive effect on nausea, two mainly showed positive effects, while two others did not find that ginger had any effect on nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.
Ginger appears to be most effective at helping stave off pregnancy-related nausea. However, it seems less effective at preventing vomiting.
A lemon-ginger infusion is generally regarded as safe during pregnancy.
Still, to be safe, speak with a healthcare professional if you’re interested in trying it and if you’re close to labor or have a history of clotting disorders or pregnancy loss.
Summary: A warm infusion of lemon and ginger may stave off nausea, especially if you have morning sickness.
3. Lemon-ginger tea may reduce nasal congestion
The steam generated from your hot lemon-ginger infusion may help open up your nasal cavities — helping clear a stuffy nose. Drinking something warm also soothes a throat sore from mucus buildup.
Although these effects are primarily anecdotal and supported by folk medicine, they may be helpful to keep in mind during cold and flu season or if you experience seasonal allergies.
Lemon-ginger tea won’t cure you of any of these, but it may help loosen up congestion, allowing air to flow through your nose a little easier.
Summary: While there isn’t a lot of research in this area, the hot steam from a cup of lemon-ginger tea may help loosen up congestion in your sinuses, making breathing a little easier.
4. Lemon-ginger tea may relieve constipation
Constipation can result from several factors, including dehydration and a diet low in fiber.
When constipation stems from dehydration, relaxing in the evening with a warm cup of lemon-ginger tea may help since water helps stool pass through your digestive tract more easily.
Suggested read: 6 teas that help treat nausea
If you feel chronically constipated, be sure you’re drinking enough fluids throughout the day, too.
Speak with a healthcare professional if you have trouble having a bowel movement or have them less than three times a week.
Summary: Because lemon-ginger tea is hydrating, it may help stool pass easily along your digestive tract. It’s also essential to ensure you get enough fluids in the daytime.
5. Ginger may help fight inflammation
Gingerol, one of the plant compounds found in ginger, boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Chronic inflammation is linked to metabolic syndrome, cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.
However, studies show mixed results on whether ginger has anti-inflammatory effects in people.
Plus, it’s worth keeping in mind that there isn’t enough research to know just how much gingerol is needed to achieve these effects — and how much of it you would get from drinking a typical cup of lemon-ginger tea.
Summary: There isn’t enough research to know whether ginger has anti-inflammatory effects in people. Scientists have found that gingerol — a plant compound in ginger — has anti-inflammatory properties.
6. It keeps you hydrated
When you drink lemon-ginger tea, fragrant ginger, and lemon essence, you drink water, which means you’re hydrating your body.
This is important because staying hydrated keeps vital organs functioning correctly, like your kidneys, gut, and heart.
How much water you need per day is affected by many factors, such as your medications, activities, and health issues.
Most women need at least 78 ounces (2.3 liters), while most men should get 112 ounces (3.3 liters) daily. How much you need will be unique to you and can vary daily.
Summary: Lemon-ginger tea is hydrating, which helps your body perform its essential functions.
7. It provides a moment of mindfulness
Having comforting rituals, like a nightly cup of lemon-ginger tea, can give you a moment of quiet reflection. Think of it as an opportunity to practice mindfulness.
Suggested read: The 6 best bedtime teas that help you sleep
Mindfulness practice is not just for relaxation; it can also be a health booster.
One review study found that mindfulness may help you process negative emotions and live your day with more intention.
What’s more, when you allow the lemon peel to steam under your nose in your cup of warm lemon-ginger tea, you diffuse lemon’s essential oils. That lemon oil vapor may be beneficial, though more research is needed.
One mouse study found that inhaling lemon oil vapor helped bring on relaxation.
Summary: Focusing on the experience of drinking lemon-ginger tea can help you relax. It may also be an excellent way for you to practice mindfulness.
Potential concerns
Keep the following issues in mind should you drink lemon-ginger tea regularly.
Carb content
Sweetening your lemon-ginger tea with honey or another sugar-based sweetener could become a concern if you:
- drink several cups of sweetened lemon-ginger tea per day
- have diabetes
- have difficulty regulating your blood sugar
- are watching your carbs for other reasons, such as the keto diet
When carbs are a concern, skip the sugar. Keep in mind that sugar comes under many names, including:
- honey
- agave syrup
- organic sugars, like organic cane sugar
- maple syrup
- brown rice syrup
If you find the tea too spicy, pull back on the ginger or consider a no-carb natural sweetener, like stevia, instead of honey or another type of sugar.
Sleep disruption
Drinking fluids before bed may cause you to urinate in the middle of the night, thus disrupting your sleep.
If this concerns you or you have difficulty falling back to sleep in the middle of the night, consider drinking your lemon-ginger tea 1 or 2 hours before bed instead of immediately before you hit the hay.
Blood thinners
If you’re taking blood thinners, such as Coumadin (warfarin), remember that ginger contains salicylate, a plant compound that naturally thins the blood. People with bleeding disorders should also take note.
If you have one of these conditions, speak with a healthcare professional before drinking lemon-ginger tea regularly.
Upset stomach
Consuming large daily doses of ginger, or more than 2 grams, may give you an upset stomach.
If your stomach hurts, burns, or has cramps after drinking lemon-ginger tea, reduce the amount of ginger you’re including in your infusion — or use bigger pieces of ginger in the infusion to lessen its intensity.
Summary: Drinking lemon-ginger tea regularly may have some unwanted effects. It could potentially interact with blood thinners, disturb your sleep, or cause an upset stomach. Speak with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
How to prepare lemon-ginger tea at home
Making lemon-ginger tea at home is easy. After all, you’re simply infusing water with fresh ginger and lemon.
Suggested read: Turmeric and ginger: Combined benefits and uses
Lemon-ginger tea recipe
This recipe makes for one serving:
Ingredients
- 1-inch (2.5-cm) piece of fresh ginger root, peeled
- 1/2 lemon, quartered and 1 fresh wedge for garnish
- 1 cup (237 mL) of water
- honey or agave nectar, to taste
Instructions
- Combine the ginger and lemon with water in a small saucepan and allow to simmer on your stovetop. Let this steep for at least 10–15 minutes.
- If the tonic is too weak, consider grating in your ginger or cutting the piece down into smaller chunks. You can also zest in some lemon peel if you want more lemony notes.
- Stir in honey or agave nectar to taste, if you wish. Garnish with a fresh wedge of lemon.
You could also make a larger batch and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to warm it up again. To do so, multiply this recipe for a few days’ worths.
Summary: Making lemon-ginger tea is easy. Combine fresh ginger, lemon, and water in a small saucepan and allow it to simmer. If you like, stir in a sweetener of your choice, like honey or agave nectar.
Summary
An infusion of lemon and ginger has the potential to calm minor bellyaches, help ease a stuffy nose, and quell or even prevent nausea.
Moreover, drinking lemon-ginger tea may help bring on feelings of relaxation and could be an excellent tool for practicing mindfulness.
Try this today
Practice mindfulness with a cup of lemon-ginger tea.
Before bedtime, or when you can set aside 5–10 minutes, try sitting down with a hot cup. Now focus on all five senses: What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch? Allow yourself to slow down and connect with the now.
