Does ginger cause insomnia? [+ Recipes]

Does ginger cause insomnia? Is ginger good for insomnia? Or is it rather the opposite? How to use it to get a good night’s sleep? And what are the recipes based on ginger that we recommend to sleep well?

Insomnia is a symptom that can be linked to many physical and psychological problems, but above all to digestive problems that lead to poor sleep.

Indeed, food plays a central role in good sleep, with the basic rule of not eating too much in the evening, to promote the digestion process, and this is where ginger comes in.

Ginger is a rhizome that has many health benefits, including promoting good digestion, especially of fats.

I. Importance of Ginger

Due to the trade of the Romans and Greeks, ginger is known in our regions of Europe. Most of the time, it is used as a spice to spice up dishes.

It is a very well-known medicinal plant in Malaysia and India, where it originated. Specifically, ginger is used in Indian Ayurveda medicine which is very old.

Ginger is a plant that is also used nowadays all over the world to treat intestinal diseases, low energy, and flu-like conditions.

It is also necessary to say that ginger is formed by two parts: the aerial part is formed by leaves and a stem of approximately one meter in height and the underground part, called the rhizome, is gnarled and branchy.

In general, it is a plant found in tropical countries, because it needs humid, warm, and sunny weather to grow.

Let’s talk about the causes of insomnia in the following title.

II. Insomnia: Causes?

The causes of insomnia are numerous. On the one hand, we can list the psychological causes of insomnia depression and anxiety.

According to some figures, nearly a third of people who have consulted a sleep clinic have depressive and/or anxious symptoms.

However, such emotional states can also be caused by chronic insomnia. It is therefore not always easy to distinguish between the causes and consequences of insomnia.

Other causes of insomnia include a snoring spouse, noisy neighbors, and a high room temperature.

It should also be said that the “jet lag” effect, a syndrome linked to a minimum five-hour time difference, can be caused by working a staggered schedule or frequent travel. Hence the need to avoid this.

Three hours before going to sleep, it is recommended that you banish or stop taking or consuming alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes.

The same advice is given for heavy meals, physical exercise, and particularly stimulating activities.

Let’s discover in the following title the ginger and insomnia.

III. Does Ginger Cause Insomnia?

1. Does Ginger Prevent Sleep?

It must be said that ginger is a plant that, taken in subtle doses, would on the contrary promote sleep. You might not have expected such an answer!

Many physical and psychological problems can cause insomnia. Also, digestive problems can lead to poor sleep.

In fact, it is always strongly recommended that you do not eat too much in the evening because food plays an important role in good sleep.

You should not eat too much in the evening to be able to support the digestion process and this is where ginger comes in.

As you know, ginger is a plant that has many virtues. And one of these virtues is to promote good digestion, especially the digestion of fats.

However, it is important to make a precision. Ginger, if only and if it is not consumed in too large quantities, does not pose a problem for sleeping. It is indeed a metabolic stimulant.

It stimulates blood circulation and, from a certain quantity, it helps to fight fatigue. This is why it is not recommended to consume ginger in large quantities before sleeping.

It should be noted that there are some people who are not sensitive to ginger at all. For those who are, they should definitely avoid consuming too much ginger before sleeping.

2. How to Prepare an Infusion of Ginger and Lemon

It should be noted that there are two ways to prepare an infusion of ginger and lemon. You can do it with the fresh rhizome or root or with powdered ginger.

Here is how you should proceed.

If you choose the rhizome, you must use about 5 cm of the root for one liter of tea. You must grate this fresh ginger root.

Ideally, you should make a ginger decoction rather than an infusion. Not only is this more suitable for root plants, but it is also the best way to get the maximum benefit from this plant.

So heat a liter of water in a saucepan, then put the grated ginger and continue to heat on low heat for 20 minutes. Leave to infuse and cool for 15 minutes after removing from the heat.

You can also use powdered ginger in the preparation of your infusion. For one liter of water, it is recommended to use two teaspoons of powder.

Before drinking hot, warm, or cold, in both cases, you must filter. It should be noted that the infusion of ginger powder will be less pungent than that of fresh ginger.

In short, everything depends not only on your taste and preferences but also on your health. In both cases, it is recommended to add lemon.

It contributes to the relaxation of the nervous system and thus fights anxiety. Also, it helps to calm the stomach after heavy meals and thus can help to find a deep sleep.

3. Does Ginger Tea Have Caffeine?

Ginger tea does not contain caffeine, not at all. It is an herbal tea, and herbal teas do not contain caffeine.

Ginger tea does not contain caffeine, but it can influence your bowels and digestion in the same way that caffeine does for some people.

This is because ginger tea contains gingerol, which aids digestion and can trigger bowel movements.

Ginger tea is spicy, which can make it seem like a kind of stimulant.

4. Other Drinks to Sleep Well

There are other plants besides ginger that can help you find sleep. These great plants are passionflower, verbena, and valerian.

These different plants, in addition to contributing to the fight against sleep disorders, participate in the fight against anxiety. You have the possibility of consuming these various plants in the form of an infusion, in mother tincture which you will find in a pharmacy, or in extracts of standardized plants (EPS).

You also have the possibility to take the lime trees in gemmotherapy (bud maceration). It relaxes the nervous system and is antispasmodic, which is why it is used in all cases of insomnia.

5. Recipe Burns Fat While Sleeping Based on Ginger

We also suggest, finally, a recipe based on ginger that will allow you to burn fat while sleeping.

Here are the ingredients you need to have at your disposal:

1 teaspoon of organic cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of grated organic ginger, 1 large glass of water, 1 tablespoon of organic parsley, and Juice of an organic lemon.

For the preparation, mix all these ingredients with a glass of water until you get a homogeneous mixture. In the evening, consume it.

After a few days, you will notice amazing results.

IV. Other Benefits of Drinking Ginger Tea [Benefits Before Bed ]

According to scientific evidence and the experience of many people, this tea is good before going to bed for several reasons. It is said that:

As a hot drink, it promotes natural relaxation after a long day.

Ginger’s beneficial compounds combat nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion, ailments that often lead to nightmares, night wakings, and other problems that interfere with sleep.

With its anti-inflammatory and analgesic power, it helps relieve any inflammation or pain in the body, creating a sense of calm and well-being before rest.

A cup of this infusion offers hydration throughout the night, without the diuretic effect of other drinks, such as green tea or coffee.

Additional benefits to consider include:

Strengthen the immune system: Ginger is rich in vitamins, minerals, and healthy compounds that help boost immune function.

Weight loss: Drinking ginger tea before bed or on an empty stomach has been found to help lose weight in less time, likely by activating metabolism, burning fat, and eliminating toxins.

Antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties: Studies have shown that the gingerol compounds in ginger have an antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effect on the body.

Nutrient Assimilation: This infusion promotes better absorption of nutrients in our diet.

V. Other Tea Recipe for Good Sleeping and Prevent Insomnia

1. Turmeric Tea

This ingredient has taken the world by storm. Turmeric contains a large amount of curcumin, a powerful antioxidant that helps with detoxification, anti-aging, and even cancer.

Turmeric is also known to induce sleep, which is why it makes the list.

This recipe has several ingredients, but it is so delicious and good for you!

Ingredients:

1-2 teaspoons of turmeric (add more if you prefer it stronger)
2 cups of water
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of cloves
1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

Simmer all the herbs and spices in your water. Once they have oozed, strain the herbs and spices. Add the honey and stir. Enjoy this awesome drink at bedtime!

2. Melissa Tea

Like chamomile, lemon balm is another herb traditionally used to treat excessive stress and insomnia.

According to some research, the herb seems to prevent the breakdown of GABA in the brain, enhancing the effect of this neurotransmitter whose main function is to relax the nervous system.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of dried lemon balm leaves;
250 ml of boiling water.

How to prepare it:

Add the leaves to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and drink warm 30 minutes before bedtime.

Lemon balm should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

3. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is one of the most well-known herbs and teas for promoting sleep.

This herb from the daisy family works wonders on the nervous system to relieve stress and promote sleep.

The flowers (fresh or dried) can be used to make a pleasant-tasting tea that is gentle on the body but has powerful calming effects.

Chamomile tea is easy to make. All you need is fresh or dried flowers, boiling water, and a sweetener if you like.

Use 1 to 3 teaspoons of the dried herb (2 to 4 teaspoons of fresh flowers) and add 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 15-20 minutes before tasting.

4. St. John’s Wort tea

St. John’s wort, also known as St. John’s wort, is an herb widely used to treat depressive states, but it can also be used for anxiety and insomnia.

This is because this plant contains substances such as hypericin and hyperforin, which act on the central nervous system, calming the mind and relaxing the body.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon (teaspoon) dried St. John’s wort or hypericum ;
1 cup (250 ml) boiling water.

How to prepare:

Put the St. John’s wort in the cup of boiling water and let it steep for 5 minutes. Finally, strain and drink lukewarm before bedtime.

5. Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon tea has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties because it is rich in cinnamaldehyde.

In addition to helping you sleep better, cinnamon tea also reduces the risk of heart failure. This tea plays an important role in lowering blood pressure.

However, be careful because cinnamon contains coumarin, which is an anticoagulant. Taking cinnamon and another blood thinner, whether natural or drug, is dangerous to your health.

6. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is made from the Mentha balsamea plant, which is a hybrid of the traditional spearmint and watermint plants.

Drinking a cup of peppermint tea before bed can help you sleep better, especially if you have an upset stomach.

It is known as an anti-stress tea. This tea contains inflammatory properties that relax the muscles and promote calmness.

7. Green, Black, and White Tea

Sleep is conditioned by our diet, but also by our state of relaxation: too much digestion causes sleep disorders, and anxiety or stress does not allow a restful sleep.

Drinking a hot beverage such as green, black, or white tea before going to bed helps digestion and relaxation.

8. Lavender Tea

Lavender is another plant known for its calming properties. It has a calming, relaxing, and stimulating effect, which is useful for fighting stress and falling asleep.

Like chamomile, lavender tea is very easy to prepare.

Simply add 1 to 3 teaspoons of dried lavender per cup of boiling water. Let it steep for at least 10 minutes and drink before bedtime.

You can also try mixing equal parts rose petals and dried lavender for variety!

9. Valerian Root Tea

Valerian tea is another one of the most researched options to treat insomnia and help you sleep better.

According to research, valerian releases substances that increase the amount of GABA, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for inhibiting the nervous system, thus contributing to relaxation.

According to some studies, when used to treat insomnia, valerian appears to increase the duration of sleep, as well as decrease the number of nighttime awakenings.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of dried valerian root;
250 ml boiling water.

How to prepare it:

Place the valerian root in boiling water and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink hot 30 minutes to 2 hours before bedtime.

Valerian tea should be used with caution in pregnant women and people with liver problems.

V. Potential Ginger Tea Side Effects

A possible minor side effect of drinking ginger tea is heartburn or upset stomach, similar to what you experience when you eat chili peppers or other spicy foods.

You may mistake this irritation for an allergy to ginger.

However, you may be allergic to ginger if you get a rash or discomfort in your mouth or stomach after drinking ginger tea.

VI. Other Questions About Ginger and Insomnia

1. Is There a Way That Ginger Could Cause Sleep Trouble?

Ginger consumption is not a problem for sleep, if and only if it is not consumed in too much quantity.

2. Can Ginger Ale Cause Insomnia

Ginger ale is often caffeine-free, which is good news if you are sensitive to caffeine.

Consuming too much caffeine has also been associated with headaches, increased anxiety, and restless sleep (especially if you drink it less than six hours before bedtime).

3. Can Too Much Ginger Cause Insomnia

It is fairly unlikely that ginger will cause insomnia symptoms. Unless you consume a large amount of it, there is no reason for it to cause sleep problems.

4. Best Time to Drink Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is great any time of day, but the best time to drink it is in the morning.

When consumed within 30 minutes of waking up, it helps your body end its nightly fast, recharge your metabolism, and prevent nausea.

5. Is Ginger a Stimulant or Depressant?

The medicinal uses of ginger are numerous. It is known to be a stimulant, carminative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, rubefacient, diaphoretic, aromatic, emmenagogue, sialagogue, antidepressant, and expectorant.