7 Benefits of Ginger Syrup & How to Make It at Home

Ginger syrup is an excellent home remedy for the flu, colds, sore throat, fever, nausea and vomiting, and stomachache. This is because it contains gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone, which possess potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiemetic, and expectorant properties.

Ginger syrup is easy to prepare at home and can be made using ginger root or ginger powder. Lemon, honey, or cinnamon can be added to boost its health benefits.

Ginger syrup should not be used as a substitute for other treatments prescribed by your doctor or other licensed healthcare professional. It should only be used as a complementary therapy to help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery.

Health benefits

Ginger syrup has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antipyretic, and antiemetic properties and can be used a complementary therapy for the following conditions: 

1. The flu, colds, and sore throat

Ginger syrup is an excellent home remedy for the flu, colds, or sore throat due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that help relieve symptoms like pain and malaise.

In addition, ginger has antioxidant properties that reduce cell damage and help improve immune system functioning, strengthening immunity and improving the body's response to infections.

2. Fever

Ginger syrup has antipyretic properties that help reduce body temperature, helping to lower fever.

3. Cough, asthma, and bronchitis

Due to its anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, ginger syrup helps to eliminate mucous and reduce inflammation in the airways. In this way, ginger syrup can be used as an auxiliary therapy for the treatment of cough, asthma, and bronchitis. 

Read about other home remedies for bronchitis.

4. Arthritis or muscle pain

Ginger syrup is a great natural option for the complementary treatment of arthritis and muscle pain. This is because it possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties that help to reduce inflammation and cell damage and relieve joint and muscle pain.

5. Nausea and vomiting

Ginger syrup has antiemetic effects, helping to reduce nausea and vomiting that are common during pregnancy, chemotherapy treatments, and in the first days following surgery. It can also help relieve symptoms like heartburn and indigestion.

6. Heartburn and indigestion

Ginger syrup is a good home remedy for heartburn and indigestion due to its anti-inflammatory and antiemetic properties that help reduce stomach acid and inflammation as well as any associated nausea.

Check out more home remedies for heartburn.

7. Weight loss

Ginger syrup has thermogenic properties, which means it has the ability to speed up metabolism and stimulate fat burning in the body. In this way, ginger syrup can be used to help support weight loss.

How to make

Ginger syrup is simple to make at home, requiring only ginger plus honey, cinnamon, or lemon, if desired, to help improve the taste and add additional health benefits.

1. Ginger syrup

This syrup can be prepared using fresh ginger root or ground ginger. It can be used as a complementary therapy to treat a cough, the flu, colds, nausea and vomiting, and fever. It can also be used to help support weight loss.

Ingredients

• 25 g fresh ginger (peeled and sliced) or 1 Tbsp ground ginger;
• 1 cup muscovado sugar;
• 100 mL water.

Instructions

Boil the water with the sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. It is important not to let the mixture boil for too long, as you do not want it to caramelize. Remove from the heat and add the ginger. Take 1 tsp of syrup three times a day. 

2. Ginger syrup with cinnamon

Cinnamon is a great addition to a ginger syrup recipe because it helps dry up mucous secretions and is also a natural expectorant, helping to manage cough and fight symptoms of flu and the common cold. 

Ingredients

• 1 cinnamon stick or 1 tsp ground cinnamon;
• 1 cup ginger root, peeled and sliced;
• 85 g muscovado sugar;
• 100 mL water.

Instructions

Boil the water with the sugar, mixing well until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the ginger and cinnamon. Store the syrup in a clean glass jar. Take 1 tsp of syrup three times a day.

Because it contains cinnamon, this syrup is not recommended during pregnancy. 

3. Ginger syrup with lemon, honey, and propolis

Lemon is high in vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant that can help strengthen the immune system, while honey contains antibacterial properties that help fight the flu, colds, and sore throat.

In addition, propolis, or bee glue, has anti-inflammatory effects that help treat respiratory problems.

Ingredients

• 25 g fresh ginger (peeled and sliced) or 1 Tbsp ground ginger;
• 1 cup honey;
• 3 Tbsp water;
• 3 Tbsp lemon juice;
• 5 drops propolis extract.

Instructions

Boil the water and add the sliced ginger. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes, then add the honey, lemon juice, and propolis. Mix well until the the ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture reaches a syrupy consistency.

Take 1 Tbsp three times per day until symptoms resolve. Children should take 1 tsp three times a day. 

Tea with honey and lemon is also a great option to help treat the flu.

Contraindications to use

Ginger syrup should not be used by people with blood clotting disorders or who are taking anticoagulants, due to an increased risk for bleeding and bruising. These syrups should also be avoided in pregnancy unless approved by a doctor.

Ginger syrup is contraindicated in people with diabetes because it can cause a sudden decrease in blood sugar, leading to symptoms of hypoglycemia like dizziness, confusion, and fainting.

People with an allergy to ginger should not take ginger syrup. 

Side effects

Consuming ginger syrup in higher-than-recommended quantities may cause symptoms like a burning sensation in the stomach, nausea, stomachache, diarrhea, and indigestion.  

Seek emergency medical attention for any signs of an allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing; swelling of the tongue, face, lips, or throat; or body itching.