It was a cold winter evening, long after the sun had set. My five-year-old body shivered with a cold.

I still remember seeing my grandma standing in the kitchen, gently stirring a small pot of her famous cold-fighting brew. Soon, the warmth from the stovetop filled the kitchen, and the air carried the sweet, spicy aroma of simmering ginger.

The pot contained a special brew my grandma would make every time my sister or I were sick. The recipe couldn’t have been simpler: sliced ginger simmered in Coca-Cola for five to ten minutes.

The first sip sent warmth through my little body—from the spicy ginger and the steaming Coca-Cola.

…

My grandfather was a doctor, and my grandmother was a nurse. Even though they were trained in Western medicine, they always had a deep appreciation for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and natural remedies.

Ginger was a staple in our household, not only for flavoring dishes but also for soothing upset stomachs and easing cold symptoms.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginger is known for its warming (yang-activating) properties. It has traditionally been used to dispel internal cold, promote circulation, and strengthen digestive function.

How Ginger Builds Yang Energy

• Warms the Middle Burner: Ginger targets the digestive core (Spleen and Stomach Yang), converting food into usable vital energy (Qi).
• Dispels Internal Cold: Its pungent, thermal nature acts as an internal heater to break up cold stagnation and alleviate fatigue.
• Drives Circulation: It pushes blood and Qi outward to the extremities, effectively warming cold hands and feet.

In fact, there’s even a well-known wellness practice to “Eat ginger in the summer and radish in the winter” (夏天吃姜，冬天吃萝卜). While interpretations vary, ginger is traditionally valued for supporting yang energy and digestive function, whereas radish is often used to help clear excess heat and support digestion during the colder months.

You might be wondering: why Coke? Truthfully, I think the recipe endured because my sister and I happily ‘drank our medicine’, while my grandparents knew we were getting plenty of warming ginger.

…

Recently, I caught a minor cold, and my mom reminded me to drink some ginger tea. As I sipped the hot ginger tea (with no Coke added this time), it again warmed my body and even more than that, it warmed my heart. In that simple cup, I felt deeply the love I felt from my grandparents then and now.

---

Grandma’s Ginger Tea (Inspired by Her Original Coke Recipe)

Ingredients:

• 25 g fresh ginger, thinly sliced
• 12 oz Coca-Cola
• Optional healthier version:
• 25 g fresh ginger
• 12 oz water
• 1 tsp honey or brown sugar (optional)

Direction:

• Add the sliced ginger and Coca-Cola to a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for about 5 minutes. Allow it to cool slightly before serving.
• Note: simple hack if you have an electric kettle and are omitting coco-cola for water: boil water in kettle and pour boiling water directly over slice ginger in a heat tolerant container

---

Wellness isn’t always found in the newest supplement or the latest health trend. Sometimes it’s found in traditions that have quietly nourished families for generations. I hope this little story encourages you to rediscover the healing rituals that connect you to your own roots. If you try this recipe—or have a treasured family remedy to share—I’d love to hear your story in the comments. Some of the best medicine isn’t just what’s in the cup—it’s the love and memories we associate with it.