A breezy evening, a great book, some crisp cookies and a steaming hot cup of lemongrass tea – what else could one want? A refreshing beverage, lemongrass tea is also delightfully healthy. The citrusy flavours of lemongrass blend beautifully and make a delicious cup of herbal tea.
This perennial plant can be grown easily in your garden or indoors as a potted plant. It requires nothing more than some sun, rich soil and plenty of water. The pleasant citrusy taste is like a reminder of bright and cheerful days. As the name suggests, lemongrass has the fragrance of lemon but it is milder and sweeter in taste. It is often used in Thai and may other Asian cuisines for its potent flavour. Interestingly, lemongrass has been used in India for many years for medicinal purposes and is also an Ayurvedic favourite.
Need a health boost? Lemongrass tea does more than just making you feel good from within. You can chop the grass, put it in water, bring it to a boil and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you add the lemongrass pieces in teapot and let it brew. Make sure you steep it well, it helps to reap the plant’s benefits in an easily digestible form. Alternatively, you can dip a tea bag with dried lemongrass for ease. Taking another healthy step forward, you could choose to have herbal lemongrass tea which is free from caffeine and tannins.
Herbal teas have everyone talking recently. They are an infusion of leaves, seeds, roots or bark, extracted in hot water. Let’s be honest, you will get many more benefits from a herbal cup of tea than a vitamin pill. In fact, a ‘Teatox’ refers to the addition of a few cups of herbal teas to compliment a healthy diet. It is a better way to detox rather than going on a complete liquid diet. Bangalore-based nutritionist Dr. Anju Sood shares some benefits of drinking lemongrass tea regularly.
1. Good for Digestion
Lemongrass has a cooling energy which helps to soothe your stomach and keeps your digestive functions in check. It contains a component called citral that helps to digest food. Therefore, it is mostly served after dinner. It has been used as an ancient remedy for all stomach problems in Chinese medicine like bloating, constipation or indigestion.
2. Full of antioxidants
Lemongrass tea is your detox tea. It is packed with antioxidants that help in detoxing and cleansing you from within. It helps in removal of toxins from the body by relieving fluid retention.
3. Regulates High Blood Pressure
Lemongrass is nature’s formula for taming high blood pressure. It is rich in potassium which increases the production of urine in our body, which in turn stimulates blood circulation and lowers blood pressure. By increasing blood circulation, it also helps in purifying the liver. Lemongrass is also known to limit cholesterol absorption from the intestines, thus promoting overall heart health.
4. Boosts Metabolism and Burns Fat
Lemongrass tea is a great option for your weight loss diet plan as it helps in boosting your metabolism which makes digestion quicker and helps in burning more calories. A report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2013 showed that polyphenols found in natural plant compounds and the caffeine content in tea increases the use of energy and enhances the oxidation of fatty acids in the body.
5. For Naturally Great Skin and Hair
Lemongrass is a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C which are essential nutrients for beautiful skin and hair. By improving the blood circulation, it clears up your skin, treats oily textures and also works on treating eruptions like acne, pimples and eczema.
6. Heals Cold and Flu
Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help you cope with cold, cough and flu. Plus, it is loaded with Vitamin C that strengthens your immunity. Boil some fresh lemongrass along with some cloves, a pinch of turmeric and tea leaves. This simple concoction is effective for breaking down mucus and phlegm build-up caused by congestion. A hot mix of lemongrass, tulsi leaves and cardamom is also a common Ayurvedic cure for cold.
7. Relieves menstrual pain
Lemongrass tea is considered excellent for women’s health. It provides relief from hot flashes and helps in reducing menstrual pain due to its soothing effect.
A word of caution. Lemongrass tea is known to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, diabetics should consult their doctor regarding its consumption. Similarly, pregnant or breast feeding women are advised to avoid lemongrass due to the workings of certain chemical compounds.
