Lemon Ginger Curcuma Shots

Right around that peak of the holiday madness of running around cleaning, shopping and meeting up with so many people you might be feeling like I am right now.. as if an unwelcome cold or flu is coming to say Hi. Well, I prefer telling it Goodbye before it even hits my doorstep. So before I enter the Christmas days, a couple of shots to boost up my immune-system is the perfect call. But first a bit of explanation on the benefits of these 5 simple ingredients.

Lemon is full of anti-inflammatory properties that can cure health issues. It will help fight respiratory tract infections, cure sore throats and inflammation of tonsils. Lemon also promotes hydration, improves skin quality, supports digestion and weight loss and is a great source of vitamin C.

Ginger is full of antioxidants, which play an important role in helping your body handle free radicals. This lowers the risk of health conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Ginger is also rich in mineral potassium, is a natural anti-inflammatory and a natural anti-nausea and digestive aid. It will help to balance blood sugar levels and it promotes weight loss too.

Curcuma or Turmeric, has many health benefits. It lessens inflammation, lowers the risk of heart disease and has antioxidant properties. With depression, the protein known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is reduced and your hippocampus, which helps with learning and memory, starts to shrink. A study shows that curcuma can boost BDNF levels and may reverse changes. Another study shows that curcuma was effective in lessening symptoms of depression. Curcuma may also increase levels of serotonin and dopamine.

Black Pepper helps your body absorb the curcuma compound. But aside from that it has it own benefits too. It is high in antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory effects and is good for your digestive system. It also promotes good cholesterol and the peperine found in black pepper helps lower the blood sugar levels.

Sea Salt, lastly but not least, has anti-inflammatory properties and boosts the immune-system. The appropriate quantity of nutrients and mineral depositions in sea salt make it extremely beneficial for allergy, fever, cold and flu. Sea salt also promotes digestion, rejuvenates the skin and relieves stress.

Headnotes

Servings: ± 10 shots of 50 ml
Ready in: ± 15 minutes

Ingredients

4 juiced lemons
Ginger – a lime sized piece
2 teaspoons of curcuma/turmeric (or a piece of the root – the size of half a lime)
½ teaspoon of black pepper
½ teaspoon of sea salt

Directions

Juice the lemons directly in the blender.
Take off the skin of the ginger and the curcuma. Cut them in slices and add to the lemon juice in the blender. Also add the black pepper and the sea salt.
Blend the ingredients all together till the mixture becomes smooth. Then pour the mixture in a container, place a lid on it and store in the fridge.
When ready to serve, pour 50 ml in a shot glass or an espresso cup and drink away!

Footnotes

Watch out with the use of curcuma for it stains the fingers, your kitchenware and your clothes! That’s why it’s also best to wash and clean the tools you used right away and to use a glass container instead of a plastic one.