Lemongrass Tea Benefits, Recipes, and Side Effects

Love the lemon flavour? Then there’s no better herb than lemongrass. But what’s better than good old lemongrass in culinary specialities? Lemongrass tea! 

If you haven’t tried it already, then this article will give you every reason to get some lemongrass tea bags right away, because apart from its amazing citrus flavour, drinking lemongrass tea has numerous health benefits. Read on.

What is the lemongrass tea plant

Lemongrass plant, also known as Cymbopogon, Cochin grass, or Malabar grass, is a type of grass that is known for its citrus-like flavour.

It is a tall, perennial plant that is used for culinary, medical, and therapeutic purposes. (1)

Lemongrass usually grows in clusters in subtropical or tropical regions.

So, it’s easy to find this plant in India, Sri Lanka, the USA, Brazil, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Laos, to name a few.

It is most commonly used in Thai and Vietnamese cuisines. 

Lemongrass essential oils are also used in spas and for cosmetic purposes.

Incidentally, India happens to be the world’s largest producer of lemongrass. (2)

Now lemongrass tea, is simply an herbal tea made with lemongrass.

Lemongrass leaves are usually infused or boiled with water to prepare this tea.

You can find lemongrass tea leaves in stores, or you can grow it at home as well. 

How to choose fresh lemongrass 

The rule is simple. Go for fresh, green leaves. Keep these things in mind as well – 

1. Make sure the stalks are firm. Avoid picking rubbery or soft stalks, as these types do not have a very rich flavour. 
2. Avoid rusted, old, and dried leaves. The ones with brown outer leaves are too old and most likely not useful. 
3. A good healthy lemongrass stalk is yellow towards the bottom, with green upper stalks. (5)

If you plan on storing lemongrass for a longer period of time, then keep these things in mind – 

1. Trim them well and store it in the refrigerator. They can last for close to two weeks like this. 
2. You can also cut the stalks into small pieces and dry it out in the sun. After this, it can be either stored in a dry, airtight container or powdered. 
3. In case the stalks or the plants have dried, you can grow them again like how we’ve mentioned above. (6)

Lemongrass tea benefits and side effects

Dr. Rashmi Byakodi, a health and wellness writer and editor of Best For Nutrition told us, “Lemongrass possesses numerous antioxidants such as isoorientin, chlorogenic acid, and Swertia japonica, which aids in hunting free radicals that may cause diseases. The anti-inflammatory property of Lemongrass is attributed to the presence of compounds citral and geraniol, which help in preventing the release of certain inflammation-causing markers in our body. Lemongrass extract also assists in lowering high cholesterol levels.”

There are several health benefits of lemongrass tea, just like green tea. A few effects of lemongrass tea are as follows-

Benefits of lemongrass tea 

1. Lemongrass has antioxidant properties, which can help treat the imbalance of free radicals and oxidative stress
2. Can help regulate blood pressure
3. Helps with weight loss 
4. Lemongrass tea helps relieve anxiety and stress 
5. Helps in the prevention of infections and protects the immune system 
6. Its anti-inflammatory properties help treat inflammation and relieve pain 
7. May help in gastrointestinal disorders 
8. Can help with anaemia
9. Has potential anti-cancer properties 
10. Helps relieve bloating and edema (7)

Lemongrass tea side effects 

We asked Carrie Lam, MD, FAAMFM, ABAARM, at Dr. Lam Coaching about lemongrass and its effect on the body. She said, “Potential side effects of lemongrass are few, and it does not appear to interact with other drugs or supplements. Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should not use lemongrass. People with kidney or liver disease should avoid this product. Those allergic to lemongrass should not expose themselves to the grass or its oils.

Lemongrass has no serious side effects, and scientists consider it as a safe herb. In fact, its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties make it a great herb with several benefits for your body.

However, it can induce menstrual flow. So women who are pregnant are advised against the consumption of lemongrass. [10]

This is the only known side effects of drinking lemongrass tea.

Lemon grass tea and pregnancy

Not all should opt for this beverage. While discussing lemon grass tea benefits and side effects, it is important to talk about the vulnerable groups, too. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding must choose their food and beverages carefully. It will help them avoid any unwanted health implications. 

There is limited research on the impact of lemon grass tea during pregnancy. So, it is better not to have it without consulting your doctor. Lack of information about its content may create issues for the new mothers.  Any side effects from lemon grass tea may affect the foetus or the mother. Hence, it is better not to consume lemon grass tea in pregnancy. Now, there can be instances when you are too late. At times, women panic, saying, “ I drank lemongrass tea while pregnant “. If you have, then it’s better to go for a checkup or consult your gynecologist. Stress during this phase is the worst thing you can do to your unborn baby. Stay informed with VitSupp and lead a healthy life.

How to make lemongrass tea for weight loss

Making lemongrass tea is no rocket science. It is simple to make, and incredibly tasty and calming. 

1. Cut lemongrass leaves or stalks into small pieces of about one or two inches. 
2. Fill a vessel with a cup of water and bring it to boil
3. Pour the boiling water into a cup, and add the pieces of lemongrass into it, to steep
4. Let this be this way for about five minutes
5. Use a strainer to strain the tea into a cup. 

An alternative way to prepare this is to boil the lemongrass along with the water. The flavours are richer this way. You can use lemongrass tea leaves or tea bags to make this tea as well. (8)

Lemongrass Infused Water Benefits

• It is known that proper hydration is good for your health and skin. While having plain water throughout the day can be boring, often leaving your dehydrated, infused water can do wonders. Lemongrass-infused water has a certain flavour which makes it more appealing. Therefore, it helps you stay hydrated without offending your taste buds. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women may consult with their doctors before proceeding.
• As lemongrass can be helpful for stomach bloating, the water infused with it can aid in your digestion. It helps you eliminate gas, which is one of the most common problems in India, affecting people of all ages. Instead of having prescribed medications when it gets worse, it is better to prevent it by following traditional digestive methods like lemon grass water. 
• In case you do not have any health implications, you can replace it with your sugary beverage for refreshment. Zero calories and sugar in this water help you stay relaxed while managing your cravings.

Lemongrass Tea Recipe

Drinking lemongrass tea is not limited to the one way mentioned above. There are several other recipes for the same. Here is how to use lemongrass for tea:

Lemongrass herbal tea with ginger extracts 

1. Chop lemongrass leaves or stalks to an inch or two, and wash them 
2. Chop a few slices of ginger. You will not require much. Just an inch should suffice
3. Bring a cup of water to boil in a vessel. Add lemongrass and ginger extracts and continue to boil for two to three minutes 
4. Use a strainer to strain the tea into a cup 
5. You can add a sweetener of your choices like honey, jaggery, or sugar (9)

Ginger is a carminative, so it is great for treating gastrointestinal issues like bloating and excessive flatulence.

Lemongrass iced tea 

If you’re in the mood for something chilled, then this should do the trick 

1. Chop lemongrass leaves or stalks to an inch or two, and wash them
2. Bring a cup of water to boil in a vessel. Add the lemongrass leaves or stalks and continue to boil for two to three minutes 
3. Use a strainer to strain the tea into a cup 
4. Wait till it cools down, and then store it in the refrigerator 
5. Once it has cooled, squeeze a little bit of lime juice, and enjoy! (10)

This recipe can help detox and cool your body down. 

Lemongrass and mint leaves 

1. Chop lemongrass leaves or stalks to an inch or two, and wash them
2. Wash about four to five mint leaves and keep aside 
3. Bring a cup of water to boil in a vessel. Add the lemongrass leaves or stalks and continue to boil for two to three minutes
4. Use a strainer to strain the tea into a cup 
5. Add a sweetener of your choice, like honey, jaggery, or sugar 
6. Throw in the mint leaves on top, before drinking it 

Mint leaves have several health benefits. It can relieve indigestion, help with cold and flu, relieve sore throat, prevent mouth odours, and even improve brain function. 

Guess what? There’s something else you can use lemongrass for. Your very own DIY recipe for skin and hair! Here’s how… (11)

DIY Lemongrass for skin 

Nutritionist Vasundhara Agrawal gave us insights into the use of lemongrass on hair and skin. She said, “Organic lemongrass essential oil has purifying properties which make it perfect for skin care. These properties help remove impurities, detoxify the skin and leave it feeling clean and clear. Antioxidants are good for you as they help to neutralize damaging free radicals, which can be harmful to your skin. Lemongrass oil is an effective dandruff treatment. Mix a few drops into your shampoo or conditioner daily, and make sure it’s massaged into your scalp.”

Treat breakouts with lemongrass! Boil lemongrass with water, cool it down and rinse your face with this regularly. 

For a lemongrass face scrub, Grind some lemongrass with olive or coconut oil. To this paste, add some sea salt. Use this mix as a face scrub to enhance circulation. (12)

DIY Lemongrass wash for hair 

Lemongrass has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. This means it can protect your scalp from inflammation, dandruff, and excessive shedding. All you have to do is soak some lemongrass in water and then boil it. After it has cooled down, rinse your hair with this. (13)

Conclusion 

With lemongrass tea, you will enjoy great health benefits. According to the Food and Development Authority, lemongrass is considered safe for consumption, and there are no side effects per se. 

However, this herb can induce menstrual flow, so it is best to stay away from it in case you are pregnant. 

The next time you find yourself in the supermarket, make sure you get some lemongrass leaves, tea bags, extracts, or powder to make the perfect brew!

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