In recent years, the very popular culinary ingredient that has taken kitchens around the world by storm - every time one chops some of it and puts in their dish – lemongrass is being looked at as a popular replacement for regular tea leaves! Why? Well, as per findings from several independent pieces of research, it is seen that lemongrass tea is a safe and very healthy herbal beverage. Other reasons for the tea’s popularity –
- The herb is easy to grow in one’s backyard.
- It is readily available in convenience stores.
- It is relatively cheap when compared to basil, mint and related culinary herbs and
- It has tons of health benefits to offer, especially when it is consumed as tea! Let’s take a closer look into this now, shall we!?
What is Lemongrass Tea?
Lemongrass tea is made from a tall plant belonging to the grass family scientifically known as Citronella. In homes in the US and all over the globe, it is popularly used as a culinary ingredient. Tea made from lemongrass is a super-food of sorts as a cup of this tea (Reference 15 Benefits of Lemongrass Tea, FirstCry Parenting, retrieved on 1 January 2024) is packed with essential nutrients like:- Riboflavin
- Selenium
- Calcium
- Carbohydrates
- Copper
- Folates
- Vitamin A
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Niacin
- Iron
- Thiamin
- Potassium
- Protein
- Pyridoxine
- Lots of Vitamin C and
- Zinc
What is the history of Lemongrass Tea?
Lemongrass is a native herb that is typically found in Asian countries (Reference Lemongrass Essential Oil: Benefits And Uses For Hair, Skin And Joints, New Directions Aromatics, retrieved on 1 January 2024) like –- India
- China and
- Thailand
Lemongrass Leaf : Lemongrass leaf is still being used in Asian countries to add flavor to their food and drinks. People in these countries have been doing so since time immemorial! Lemongrass tea is still used in the aforementioned countries as a traditional folk medicine to improve –
- Overall blood circulation and
- Immune response in both children and adults alike.
Green grass: Green grass tea or simply grass tea is also popular in Sri Lanka. The herb is used to make traditional Sri Lankan soups and curries. Lemongrass tea is also popular in South East Asisa with the locals as it has the ability to curb –
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Irregular menstruation
- Stomach aches and
- Skin infections.
Astonishingly, lemongrass tea is also used in Cuba and countries around the Caribbean sea, as a solution to put an end to –
- Irregularities in one’s blood pressure and
- Indigestion
The popularity of lemongrass tea began to spread to the far corners of the world by 1905. In the States, the herb soon found immense popularity in American households when it was commercially grown in Florida, for the first time in the year 1947!
Video Source : Lemon Grass for Good Health, Dr. Paul Haider, Online Video Clip. You tube Uploaded on 7 Feb 2013, Retrieved 1 January 2024 Licensed under CC BY 2.0
What are the benefits of Lemongrass Tea?
There is a lot of information on the Internet when one types ‘lemon grass medicinal use’ in the search bar on their computer screen. We will try to keep it short and simple. (Reference - What are the health benefits of lemongrass tea?, Medical News Today, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
So here goes the list –
- It helps in relieving anxiety – this was proven as per a study conducted by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. More research needs to be conducted to back up this claim.
- It helps in lowering bad cholesterol – this was proven in a paper published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research.
- It is a great natural infection-deterrent – this claim was according to the findings of a study conducted at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
- It boosts oral health – this is the reason why in many countries, natives chew on lemongrass stalks or drink lemongrass tea as soon as they wake up in the morning. This is a proven fact as per a published paper in The Food Chemistry journal.
- It is also a great natural pain reliever - According to the findings conducted in yet another study, drinking lemongrass tea regularly could help a person from putting an end to their chronic pain (if any!).
- Lemongrass tea helps in boosting RBC count – a study conducted in 2015 with a small sample group consisting of 105 participants concluded that lemongrass tea has the ability to boost the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin and number of healthy cells in the bodies of the participants who were given lemongrass tea regularly for about a month!
Video Clip : Health Benefits of Lemongrass YOU NEED TO KNOW, Natural Health Remedies, Online Video Clip. You tube Uploaded on 29 Nov 2019, Retrieved 1 January 2024 Licensed under CC BY 2.0
What does Lemongrass Tea taste like?
Lemongrass tea has a slightly tangy taste that leaves subtle notes of classic lemon flavor at the back of the tongue. It has a lemon-flavored aroma and depending on the quantity and quality of leaves used to brew the tea, it often features a crisp and sweet finish! (Reference Why You Should Drink Lemongrass Tea? Cup & Leaf, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
What are the side effects of lemongrass tea?
Lemongrass tea has the following side effects -
- It is safe to consume lemongrass tea in small quantities. Drink it too much and you could be looking at irritable bowel syndrome! (Reference Why You Should Drink Lemongrass Tea?, Cup & Leaf, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
- It can cause serious allergy attacks in people who are allergic to the plant in general! Effects could range from skin rashes, swollen throat, and breathing issues!
What are the different types of lemongrass tea?
Here are some interesting ways to make Lemongrass tea –
1 - Tea made using dried lemongrass
Recipe
- Keep 2 dried lemongrass leaves in a cup, pot, or tea infuser.
- Pour boiled water. (Reference - 5 Lemongrass Tea Recipes for You, Te-E-Me Teas, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
- Let it steep for 5 minutes.
- You can add a sweetener of your choice.
- Strain and serve.
2 - Lemon grass herbal tea made from fresh Lemongrass!
Recipe
- Chop some fresh lemongrass leaves.
- Crush some mint and basil leaves along with some jaggery.
- Add all of these into boiling water.
- Boil for about 2 minutes
- Strain and serve!
3 - Lemongrass tea made with lemongrass powder
Recipe 1 – the simple way to make grass tea!
- Simply boil some high-quality lemongrass powder as per portion sizes of your preference and serve!
Recipe 2 - Lemongrass green tea – green tea with a twist!
- Mix top-shelf lemongrass powder with some green tea powder.
- Add the mix in boiling water and leave it boiling for about two minutes.
- Add a sweetener of your choice.
- Strain and serve!
Recipe 3: Lemongrass and ginger tea – a no-nonsense drink!
- Boil some water.
- Add 3 teaspoonfuls of lemongrass powder and around half an inch of ginger – fresh crushed.
- Boil for about a minute or two.
- Strain and serve!
What is the recipe for simple lemongrass tea?
It is easy to make a no-frills cup of simple lemongrass tea in a matter of minutes. (Reference Why You Should Drink Lemongrass Tea? Cup & Leaf, retrieved on 1 January 2024) Here’s more to it -
Lemongrass Tea, Lemongrass 969, Google Images, licensed under CC BY 2.0
Ingredients:
- Around 10 ounces of water.
- A teaspoon of either dried or fresh lemongrass leaves.
- You can use honey as a sweetener (it is optional of course!).
Instructions:
- Boil water in a kettle.
- Add the lemongrass leaves in a strainer and place the same over a teacup.
- Pour the boiling water into a teacup.
- Leave the cup as it is for around ten minutes.
- Add honey if you want but refrain from using artificial sweeteners or refined sugar. Enjoy!
Video Source : Easy Homemade Lemongrass Tea Recipe, Plant Based Eats, Online Video Clip. You tube Uploaded on 13 Nov 2017, Retrived 1 January 2024 Licensed under CC BY 2.0
How much lemongrass tea should you drink?
It is always a good idea to consume lemongrass tea in balanced amounts. One to two cups a day should suffice for an adult individual. In the case of children, a single cup made from a few leaves of lemongrass should be enough.(Reference Fresh Lemongrass Tea Recipe, Masala Herb, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Can you drink lemongrass tea every day?
Yes, lemongrass tea can be consumed every day. It is a great alternative to a caffeine-rich cup of coffee or Darjeeling tea! (Reference -15 Benefits of Lemongrass Tea, FirstCry Parenting, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Does lemongrass reduce belly fat?
People who want to reduce belly fat should consume lemongrass tea for weight loss purposes. Time and again, lemon grass herbal tea has proven its merit when it comes to accelerating the rate of metabolism thus allowing a person to shed that extra flab from their belly! (Reference - Struggling with weight loss and high blood pressure? Know these 5 amazing health benefits of Lemongrass tea, Times Now News)
Is Lemongrass the same as fever grass?
Yes, lemongrass has an alternative name which is ‘fever grass’ as it has the ability to lower the body temperature of a person who is suffering from fever.(Reference - 27 Health Benefits of The Aromatic Healer: Lemon Grass (ตะไคร้หอม /dta khrai), Thailand Medical News, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Does lemongrass tea make you sleepy?
Lemongrass tea has had a rich history of being used as an alternative remedy to treat people who suffer from insomnia. Hence, in large doses, it can make a person feel sleepy!(Reference - 10 Reasons to Drink Lemongrass Tea, Healthline, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Frequently Asked Question
Q. Do you use the leaves or the whole plant of lemongrass to make tea? You should only use the tender lemongrass leaf of a lemongrass plant to make tea. Avoid using the stem or roots!(Reference - 15 Benefits of Lemongrass Tea, FirstCry Parenting, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Q. Is it true that lemongrass tea contains caffeine? This is a false claim that lemongrass tea contains caffeine! Any drink that contains caffeine would appear dark brown. Tea made from lemongrass appears light to deep golden – which is enough proof to debunk this myth!(Reference 15 Benefits of Lemongrass Tea, FirstCry Parenting, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Q. What is the minimum brewing time for lemongrass tea? Irrespective of the recipe one is following, the typical brewing time for a cup of no-frills lemongrass tea is ten short minutes! (Reference -15 Benefits of Lemongrass Tea, FirstCry Parenting, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Q. Is it safe to serve lemongrass tea to children? Yes! Absolutely! Lemongrass tea is not only a great source of vitamin c but is also clinically proven to help kids diagnosed with anxiety when it comes to controlling their emotions! (Reference - 7 Healthy Drinks for Kids (And 3 Unhealthy Ones), Healthline, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Q. Can pregnant women drink lemongrass tea? There are findings that support lemongrass tea has the ability to start the menstrual flow in pregnant women. This is bad news as it increases a would-be mother’s chances of experiencing a miscarriage!(Reference - Lemongrass, WebMD, retrieved on 1 January 2024)
Please note – More information and research is needed to back this claim! Hence, to be on the safe side of things, it is best that expecting mothers are staying away from a cup of lemongrass tea until they deliver their baby!
One of the healthiest and nutrient-rich teas one can have, irrespective of their age is the ever-popular lemongrass tea. This is the reason why, people who have a habit of sipping on a cup of tea every day are quitting on their caffeine-rich brews and switching to this golden-colored beverage, here in the States! There’s no wonder why this tea variant found its way into our website. Everyone here at teacurry.com are strong supporters and promoters of tea variants that can help a person alleviate their life, health, and of course, mood! On that note, be sure to leave your experiences, suggestions, and opinions related to this post, in the comments sections below.
