Some months ago, two friends in the beauty and health industries, Stephen Dimmick and Angela Paul, enlightened me to the wonders of hot water with lemon. Their suggestion was to have a cup of hot water with the juice of half of a lemon the first thing every morning, before any coffee or food. Stephen suggested taking it further by adding fresh ginger into the mix. It is important that you use clean hot water which is why the installation of a hot water dispenser with a filtration system might be wise. Visit https://waterfilterway.com/best-instant-hot-water-dispenser-reviews/ for more details on this matter.
Why? What does it do?
“It’s wonderful for your skin,” Angela told me, reminding me that lemon is a natural detoxifier, which, along with a regimen that involves exercise, good diet, plenty of sleep and a lot of water, can slow the aging process and help cleanse the system. Adding ginger promotes good digestion.
Well, who am I to not try something that seems so logical – something so simple suggested by two friends who look so vibrant? After doing it for a few weeks, I did notice some changes in my skin for the better. It was clearer and, if you will, “brighter.” I felt better, too.
Feeling and looking a little better was nice, and I decided to look into some of the science behind this magical morning elixir. Like its citrus sisters, oranges and grapefruits, lemon contains Vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties that help protect cells against toxin damage from things like chemicals in foods, everyday air pollutants or cigarette smoke. Vitamin C also boosts the immune system and can help prevent certain cancers, like those of the mouth, stomach and breast.
Ginger has been used as an effective treatment for nausea and upset stomach for centuries. Fresh ginger contains something called gingerol, which possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and aids in healthy cellular activity in the gastrointestinal tract.
No, it’s not a magic potion that will give you the skin of a nine year old and rectify years of self-abuse. But from where I’m sitting, hot water with lemon and ginger looks like a simple, sensible and inexpensive addition to a smart morning routine.
13 Comments
will take some doing to reach for this before my espresso, but i rise to the challenge!
Rise to the challenge! I boil the water, then drink it while I prepare my Chemex. (Read about that here.)
I’ll give it a shot. How exactly do you prepare this? 1/2 lemon + 12oz hot water? + how much ginger? Thanks for posting.
I use about a coffee cup of hot water, 1/2 lemon and about a teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger. When I get to the end of the water, I’ll eat some of the chopped ginger at the bottom of the cup. Be sure to chase it with a glass of plain water so your first sip of coffee isn’t lemon-flavored! Thanks, Denis.
George, doesn’t lemon juice erode your tooth enamel over time? Hope you’re drinking through a straw!
Can you use ground ginger?
I don’t see why not.
HI. it is really cool… i do it first thing in the morning and before going to bed…. just great i love the mixture…
Good Morning Michelle, great question! The acid of the lemon mixed with hot water is no worse for your dentures than the acid erosion that occurs from frequent coffee use and is by far, much better for you. But if you are worried, by all means, use a straw; however, I recommend letting the mixture cool first, otherwise it will be like drinking hot coffee through a straw.
I’m trying this out but only at night before bed, but it sounds good to do it mornings as well.
Hi George, will this mixture work for me? I had a bad rash on my stomach, though the rash is gone now but I’m left with bad marks on my stomach someone recomended that I make a paste of garlic, ginger and lemon with the rind and eat it with a spoon every morning, it makes me nauseous.
That’s a question for a doctor, nutritionist or a health specialist. I couldn’t say.
I’ve been drinking this remedy (grated ginger in warm, freshly squeezed lemon juice) each morning for a couple of weeks now. I find it keeps the flu away, and yes, my skin looks brighter. I also ‘go’ more often, but possibly because I drink grape seed extract (ground) in tomato juice in the evenings. What I’ve noticed however is that prolonged and continuous intake of lemon juice makes my vulva itch. I stop drinking it for a day or two and the itch goes away, but it starts again a couple of days after I drink the remedy. Is there a reason that happens?