To each their own, as the adage goes. Over the past few years, it’s a saying I find myself consistently falling back on—especially when it comes to all things concerning fitness and wellness. Things that work for some, won’t work for others. A workout schedule that’s too intense; a lifestyle habit that simply can’t be kicked; the inertia to adopt a new mindset despite its known benefits for the mind and body.
For the longest time, the illusion of health solely existed in my mind. I was still active in small ways despite having a desk job and no fixed gym routine, and my worst years of sports-related injuries were (hopefully) behind me. But the nagging feeling was there. The reality was that my body knew before I did: my allergies worsened and reached unseemly degrees; my skin was dull and sallow; and I felt like I was constantly down with something. It affected my productivity levels and seriously toyed with my mental health. Some lifestyle changes were due, and I started thinking about how to upend my warped approach to self-care and personal well-being.
Like an all-too-timely reminder earlier this year, the job led me to a weekend-long wellness retreat—a much-needed period of rest and recovery. Whilst there are plenty of advice tidbits I’ve yet to actually incorporate in my lifestyle, the one habit I’ve actually decided to adopt into my daily routine was the most unexpected one: a ‘wellness’ shot consisting of ginger, turmeric, lemon and orange every morning. Let’s just say it’s stuck since.
@thrivingonplants GINGER SHOTS Let’s save money AND make immune boosting shots!! These babies are sold at cafes for $7+ PER shot… so let’s spend the money on a bunch of produce to make more than a weeks worth of shots instead. Let’s gooooo !!! Ingredients: 2 oranges 2 lemons 100g fresh ginger (more or less depending on how strong you want it to be) 1/2 tsp ground turmeric 1/8 tsp black pepper 2 cups water * (OR coconut water if you want to add natural sweetness) Optional: 1-2 tbsp liquid sweetener of choice Method: 1. Peel your oranges and lemon and cut into smaller wedges. 2. Wash your ginger well and cut into chunks. 3. Add all of the ingredients into your blender. Pop the lid on and blend on high until smooth. 4. Pour through a sieve and into a large bowl. Use a spoon to help filter the juice through. Alternately you can also strain it through cheesecloth/a nut milk bag instead for a smoother juice. 5. Place the funnel on top of your glasses and carefully pour in the juice. Repeat until you’ve used it all up. Pop the lid on all of them and place into the fridge to chill. Enjoy! NOTE: They will last in the fridge up to 1 week, but ideally are best consumed within 3-5 days. You can also freeze them and thaw out as needed so they last longer (just don’t fill up the bottles too high up). #vegan #plantbased #easyrecipe #healthyrecipe #ginger #gingershot #juice #juicerecipe #lemon #health #juicing #healthyfood #gingerlemonshot #wellnessshot #juiceshot #gingerjuice ♬ How`s Your Day – aAp Vision
All over the social media black hole we call TikTok, they’re also known as ‘immunity booster’ shots. And whilst the addition of lemon and orange—foods which are rich in vitamin C, supports immune cells and enhances iron absorption—grants some truth to this, the blanket term is otherwise reductive and not productive to understanding how our immune system works. According to Pooja Vig of The Nutrition Clinic, these ingredients can be part of a supportive routine, but ultimately, there is no single shot that can actually ‘boost’ immunity in a meaningful or lasting way. “What matters more is the overall consistency of a nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory diet, good sleep, and gut health,” she advises. Words of the wiser.
Taking this into account, my personal investigation was concerned with the felt effects—what my own body’s reaction would be to a strict regime of one shot a day. Day in, and day out, for the past two months. Such were my findings.
The (supposed) benefits
These ginger and turmeric shots have been widely popular due to the nature of both being foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In simplistic terms, beyond the so-called boost in immunity, the aforementioned benefits hold promise for those lusting after an improved complexion. Turmeric has even been known to treat eczema and clear up acne.
The compounds present in ginger for one—namely gingerol and shogaol—also have potent medicinal properties that put less stress on the body, potentially relieving ailments like nausea and period pain. “Ginger can reduce prostaglandin production, which is linked to cramping. Several studies show that 750–2000 mg of ginger powder per day during menstruation can reduce pain severity,” offers Vig.
How to whip up a wellness shot
Following various recipes found online, the first batch I did was way too hot for my body. I experienced stomach discomfort, especially because I had been taking my shot on an empty stomach in the morning. Over time, I learned to adjust the quantities. Half of a normal-sized ginger root, half a finger’s worth of turmeric root, a whole lemon and whole orange, cup of water; juiced into a pulp and further sieved down for a week’s worth of wellness shots for two of us at home.
The rule of thumb? “About one to two grams of fresh ginger or turmeric root per day—or around half a teaspoon of the dried spice.” Vig’s main advice is that more isn’t always better, because excessive turmeric can actually thin the blood or cause digestive upset. “It’s actually better if absorbed when paired with black pepper and some healthy fat,” she adds.
The perceived results
Two months on, and the changes to my body—and lifestyle—have been small but apparent. The daily morning concoction was initially difficult to down on the daily, but soon enough, it became a definite energy kick before I went about my day. Vig assures the time of day boils down to personal preference: “First thing in the morning is fine, especially on an empty stomach, when digestion is more responsive. But there’s no strict rule. The more important factor is consistency.”
On digestion, my random sweet or salty cravings didn’t occur as often, indirectly also improving my mood swings which were sometimes influenced by my food intake. The other noticeable effect was a probable improvement in my immunity; for weeks at a go, both my office and home were sifting through a nasty flu bug, yet I emerged unscathed.
The most obvious benefit though, was a slight improvement in my overall skin health. Over the last few weeks especially, I’ve noticed the reduced appearance of my acne scars, with a brighter, glowing complexion. This comes only second to the realisation that during my last menstruation cycle, my period cramps and heat waves were noticeably alleviated. Only time will tell as to its lasting effects, but it’s pleasing news nonetheless. With all the above benefits—and the feeling like it’s an achievement for my own discipline—the wellness shot has been a small yet hopeful step in my personal journey.
