While studies are being constantly carried out to learn the complete spectrum of benefits of lemongrass, the present results show its effectiveness in treating various health conditions.
The delish citrusy taste and aroma of lemongrass tea along with its health benefits makes it a wonderful choice for daily consumption.
Read on to understand more about this refreshing beverage and its health benefits before you start brewing yourself a hot cup.
What is Lemongrass Tea?
Lemongrass, scientifically known as Cymbopogon citratus, is a perennial grass that is tall growing. Lemongrass is native to Asia, Australia, and Africa. The plant can grow up to 10 feet in its native environmental conditions.
Lemongrass stalks are multi-layered with all the layers wrapped around the core. The outer layers are green but hard and are not used for cooking purposes. The lower layers are whitish and soft wrapped around the inner white core/stalk. These parts are traditionally used for cooking purposes and lend the plant its typical citrus flavor.
The fresh lemony aroma and flavor make it a popular ingredient in various world cuisine like Thai delicacies.
Traditional medicines have been using lemongrass for various health benefits that the plant provides. The plant gives strong essential oils that find their use in various traditional treatments for depression, anxiety, cardiovascular diseases, weight loss, breastfeeding issues, etc.
Lemongrass tea is usually made from dried blades or stalks of the plant. The tea is a wonderful caffeine-free beverage and is often preferred by health enthusiasts as an alternative to regular tea. Various tea drinkers also like to add it as a flavoring agent to the regular black tea or green tea to get that tart lemon flavor and aroma.
Factors to Consider When Buying Lemongrass
Lemongrass is easily available in food markets as a fresh produce or with leading tea brands like Rhymba Hills as Lemongrass tea.
Following factors need to be considered for buying and storing lemongrass:
Firm stalks are better than soft and delicate ones in terms of flavor and aroma.
Outer leaves should be fresh and green
Store your fresh purchase, wrapped tightly, in a refrigerator.
You can also freeze your lemongrass for long term use. While some of the flavor and aroma gets lost, it will still retain sufficient flavor to give your recipes that unique taste.
Lemongrass stalks may be dried and stored in airtight containers for use as species.
Using Lemongrass
Lemongrass tea offers a mild lemony taste along with a slight sweetness that’s well balanced to instantly appeal to your taste buds. The tea, when brewed right, comes to light yellow color with a hint of lemony aroma.
Lemongrass is an important ingredient for various herbal infusion teas. It makes a wonderful combination with other flavors like Ginger and is hence a delish caffeine-free beverage enjoyed by many.
However, tea is not the only use of the wonderful lemongrass plant. The tender, white stalks of lemongrass plants are widely used as a cooking herb in various Asian cuisines. The light citrus flavor combines exceptionally well with soups, meats, and seafood.
Additionally, lemongrass is widely cultivated for extracting the precious essential oil that has multiple health benefits too. Lemongrass essential oils are used as scenting agents for soaps, room fresheners, perfumes, cosmetics, and insect repellants. The strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal characteristics of lemongrass make it great for use as a disinfectant in the house.
12 Amazing Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea
As mentioned earlier, the lemongrass plant is packed with the goodness of nature. Following are some of the most notable health benefits of using lemongrass tea:
1. Antioxidant properties- boost immunity
Various pieces of scientific research confirm the fact that lemongrass tea is rich in various antioxidants that help remove free radicals from the body and keep it disease-free. Free radicals are responsible for the break down of cells and the natural processes occurring within them.
The presence of antioxidants in lemongrass tea, hence provides the extra burst of immunity to the body.
Additionally, lemongrass stalks are packed with multiple vitamins and minerals which make it an excellent preventive remedy against common cold and flu. Lemongrass tea is known to be rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
This is perhaps the reason why lemongrass is a common ingredient in cough drops and other natural immunity products found in your grocery store.
2. Anti-inflammatory properties
The occurrence of inflammation in various body parts is common. While it may be nonserious in certain cases like throat inflammation, it can cause serious health concerns when affecting the muscles of internal body organs like the heart.
Lemongrass is rich in citral and geranial which are two important components that lend it its anti-inflammatory properties.
A hot cup of freshly brewed lemongrass tea will hence not just help relieve soreness like that in a sore throat but has immense internal health benefits too.
3. Helps in improving breast milk supply
Medical research points out the benefits of consuming lemongrass tea in increasing breastmilk supply. The plant has naturally occurring galactagogue agents which makes it a healthy choice to increase breast milk supply in new mothers.
However, medical advice is necessary when consuming lemongrass during or after pregnancy as it can have other medical complications during the period.
4. Promotes digestive health
Lemongrass tea has been used for ages as a part of traditional Asian and Indian medicines. One of its important health benefits includes its use as a digestive aid. Lemongrass is known to relieve digestive symptoms like cramping, upset stomach, diarrhea, bloating, etc.
Certain studies also point to its effectiveness against gastric ulcers and diseases of the stomach lining. An interesting research published in the Journal of Young Pharmacists shows that lemongrass tea helps provide protection against gastric ulcers that result from excessive use of aspirin.
Additionally, the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass help improve gut health.
5. Reduce the risk of cancer
Citral is an important ingredient of lemongrass and is responsible for the typical citrusy flavor of the plant. Citral is also known to possess anti-cancer properties and has been found to be effective in fighting certain types of cancers.
Additionally, lemongrass stalks are rich in geranial, and chlorogenic acid which are also known to possess anti-cancer properties.
Various medical practitioners often use lemongrass tea as an add on therapy in addition to radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients.
One of the main reasons for the anti-cancer properties of lemongrass is its ability to break down free radicals within the body. Free radicals are linked to some specific types of cancers. Regular consumption of lemongrass tea is known to prevent the growth of cancer cells within the body.
6. Reduces blood pressure
The anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass tea are also known to reduce systolic blood pressure. Blood pressure is one of the main health concerns that lead to cardiovascular diseases.
Various pieces of medical research give reason to believe that lemongrass tea induces relaxation and can help reduce symptoms of high blood pressure.
7. Help reduce weight
Health enthusiasts understand the impacts of lemongrass tea on boosting the metabolism, detoxing the body and reducing excess weight. Lemongrass being a natural diuretic helps your body to remove excess waste and water which further helps you shed those excess pounds faster.
Additionally, since lemongrass is a tasty replacement for calorie-rich sweetened beverages, it helps you cut down on your daily calorie intake too. This is perhaps the reason why fitness experts and dieticians include lemongrass tea as a part of your daily workout plans.
8. Lowers cholesterol
Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of death in humans. High cholesterol levels are one of the main reasons for heart attacks.
Various animal researches show the usefulness of lemongrass tea in reducing the bad cholesterol in the blood.
The anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass tea are known to help prevent blood clots and deposition of fats in the inner arterial linings. This helps in the smooth flow of blood within the vessels which reduces to chances of blockages.
Certain studies also point out the benefits of regular consumption of lemongrass tea in improving the hemoglobin count and the packed cell volume within the blood.
9. Helps relieve PMS symptoms
The anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass have multiple benefits. Traditional medicine has been using these to treat various conditions like PMS including menstrual cramps, bloating, and body pain.
The essential oils present in lemongrass also help in relieving symptoms of depression, bad mood and mood swings which are common with PMS.
10. Mood enhancement
Sipping hot and freshly brewed lemongrass tea is known to work as a mood enhancer. Lemongrass essential oil and drops have been long since used for aromatherapy to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
While more research is needed, various consumers report the aroma of lemongrass / or lemongrass tea to work positively for improving low mood conditions.
11. Antimicrobial properties
Lemongrass is packed with antimicrobial properties and has been traditionally used to treat fungal infections. Its effectiveness in treating oral infections and tooth decay have been researched.
Lemongrass has also been shown to fight bacteria like Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis which cause mouth infections. The presence of silver ions in the lemongrass also adds to its antimicrobial properties.
12. Works as a diuretic
Various natural medicines make use of the diuretic properties of lemongrass. The properties present in the plant help remove excess body fluids and sodium, thereby working as a natural diuretic.
Diuretic medicines are prescribed to patients with heart failure issues, liver conditions, etc. Using lemongrass tea as a natural diuretic is a healthy substitute for conventional medicines which have various serious side effects.
Final thoughts:
Lemongrass tea is a safe, caffeine-free, herbal replacement for your regular cup of tea. It is a common part of infusion teas sold across the globe and is hence easy to find online or in your local food stores.
Various pieces of scientific research have proven its effectiveness as a natural ani inflammatory, ani bacterial, anti-anxiety, and anticancer agent along with multiple other health benefits.
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I always wanted to know about the Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea. This article is very helpful and gives very correct information about Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea. Thanks.
This article is very helpful and gives very correct information about Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea. This article is very helpful and gives very correct information about Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea
This article is very helpful and gives very correct information about Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea. This article is very helpful and gives very correct information about Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea