Ginger shots have become a popular health-food store find and one of the most talked-about trends in wellness – and for a reason. This little spicy shot has become shorthand for self-care, from warding off the office cold that’s going around to just needing to get a natural energy boost. However, as a popular drink, there are many questions to answer: What does a ginger shot do in the body? Just how many ginger shots a day is too many? But does ginger support a healthy immune system, or is it simply a fad from the wellness world?

At Natural Awakenings North Jersey, we enjoy distinguishing between what is backed up and what is just going around. Now let’s dive into the meaning of an immunity shot, the benefits of ginger shots on the body, how much ginger shots to consume each day, and how to incorporate this easy practice into a more comprehensive immune regimen that is naturally supported.

What Is a Ginger Shot, Exactly?

Ginger shot contains 100% ginger juice – some add lemon juice, orange, turmeric, cayenne, and honey. It is part of wellness drinks or immunity shots, and is often paired with other powerful wellness shots like turmeric shots, elderberry shots, and other immune-enhancing drinks.

A ginger immunity shot provides a high concentration of gingerol and other molecules in one shot, as opposed to drinking ginger tea over a 20-minute period. Its flavor is whole and purposefully hot, peppery, warm–occasionally enhanced with citrus or honey. This intensity is part of the attraction; it’s supposed to be a passing punch to the immune system and not a glass of wine.

This drink is otherwise known as an immune system shot or immunity boost shot, but in all these terms, the concept is the same–fresh ginger, concentrated, taken fast.

Ginger Juice with Lemon Good for the Immune System

Is Ginger Good for the Immune System? What Ginger Shots Do for the Body

But, is ginger really a healthful herb for the immune system or is it a myth? Ginger has compounds in the plant called gingerol and its derivatives, that have some significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger has been found to have antiviral and antibacterial properties, promote healthy blood sugar management and alleviate nausea and digestive discomfort, which are all supportive of immune wellness.

Specifically, regarding the benefits ginger shots have on the body:

  • Antioxidant support – boosts the immune system, which is weakened over time by stress from excess reactive oxygen species
  • Comfort in digestion – a stomach that is at ease and can help relieve bloating and slight nausea
  • Anti-inflammatory compounds – chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with diminished immune function, which is why ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties are attractive
  • Natural energy lift – a warming, spicy feeling that is commonly referred to as an instant wake-up
  • Movement and circulation support – ginger is a mild stimulant and circulatory stimulant and works well in combination with the movement strategies recommended in our guide to nervous system regulation and stress support as they have a negative impact on immunity in many cases, as does chronic stress

Here it is important to have a clear head – a ginger shot is not a cure or a replacement for adequate sleep, hydration, movement, and a nutritious diet. Consider it as one tool out of a multi-tool immune-health box and not a single solution.

How to Make a Ginger Immunity Shot at Home

Though ginger shots sold at stores are convenient, homemade ginger shots are not only cheaper, but also allow you to control the freshness and sweetness. The simple ginger shot immunity recipe is as follows:

  1. Choose your ginger. Larger, older ginger roots are more flavorful and potent.
  2. Roughly chop the ginger (if planning to strain the juice) and wash it.
  3. Add the ginger and puree or blend it through a fine muslin strainer or cheesecloth and water, a little at a time, to thin out the mixture.
  4. Serve with citrus and honey to taste. A few drops of lemon juice and a little raw honey follow to balance the astringency and provide added health benefits of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.
  5. Drink fresh. Ginger shots will not last long, so use yours within one hour of preparing, or refrigerate and use within a couple of days in a sealed glass bottle.

For a more subtle entry, consider mixing it a bit, or mixing in some citrus juice to the initial few servings to get used to the heat.

How Much Ginger Shots Should You Take Daily?

It’s one of the most asked questions before taking a ginger immunity shot – and it’s the right question to ask, as more is not always better.

In healthy adults, 3 to 4 g of ginger a day is a safe upper limit, which equals 1 to 2 1-ounce servings of ginger. When it comes to the question of how many ginger shots you can take in one day, the simple answer is one, and then you’ll see what happens to you, and don’t just take a bunch of concentrated ginger shots in a row. Ginger is a potent herb; more isn’t going to lead to a more powerful immune system; it will lead to stomach upset.

When measuring by volume (not shots), the safe amount of ginger juice per day is generally a few ounces at most, when added to the total amount of ginger consumed from food, tea, and any shots used.

Who Should Be Cautious With Ginger Shots?

Ginger is considered safe in general, but this does not imply it will be ideal for every individual.

  • Pregnant women: Ginger is generally safe to use in food, but possibly not when used as concentrated immunity shots. If it is safe to take a ginger shot during pregnancy or ginger immunity shots during pregnancy, you can take one, up to 1.5g of ginger per day, and consult your OB-GYN before adding a ginger shot to your body.
  • Anyone on blood-thinning medication: Ginger can slightly thin the blood and may interact with blood-thinning drugs.
  • Children: This is a dose for a pediatrics office, not a one-size-fits-all vaccination – a much smaller shot is adequate, a conservative one.
  • Anyone with acid reflux or a sensitive stomach: The spiciness of a ginger shot is concentrated and can worsen heartburn in some individuals.

If you have any type of chronic illness or are on any kind of prescription medication, as ever, always seek advice from your health care specialist prior to relying on any concentrated herbal shot on a daily basis.

Rounding Out Your Immunity Routine, Naturally

Taking a ginger shot every day is a pleasant habit to get into, but there are other aspects of eating, moving, sleeping and stress management that will build immune resilience. Here are some ideas to make the lens wider than the shot glass:

Frequently Asked Questions: Ginger Shots for Immunity

Most healthy adults do well with one to two 1-ounce ginger shots per day, generally staying within a total of about 3 to 4 grams of ginger daily from all sources combined.

For most adults, 1-2 is normal per day. Having frequent, intense shots in a single day may cause some stomach upset or heartburn and not provide any additional immune protection.

Yes – ginger has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties that have a positive effect on the body’s resistance. It’s best used in combination with other healthy activities and not as a cure-all.

It provides a potent effect of gingerol and its derivatives, which help combat oxidative stress, aid digestion, improve blood circulation, and have mild anti-inflammatory properties, which can sometimes be felt as a warming and energizing effect.

Similarly, ginger shots are not necessarily forbidden, but pregnant women should reduce their intake of ginger per day and seek counseling from their OB-GYN prior to taking a shot every day; concentrated ginger does not necessarily mean ginger in food.

Before, please check with a doctor. Ginger is a natural mild blood thinner and can interact with other medications that are blood thinners.

Immunity shots are ginger or turmeric, elderberry or citrus fruit shots. One particular – and one of the most popular – immunity shots is the ginger shot.

Ginger may be taken in dosages ranging approximately from 3 to 4 grams per day (including those in food, drinks such as tea, and ginger shots) for most healthy adults.