Lemongrass Tea Guide

Lemongrass tea is one of the most refreshing, aromatic herbal teas in the world. Dried leaves are often a part of many uplifting and calming blends. Read more about lemongrass tea, learn how to brew it at home and what are the potential health benefits.

What is lemongrass tea?

Lemongrass tea is an infusion made from stalks or leaves of Cymbopogon citratus plant[1]. This plant belongs to a grass family and has an intense lemony scent. Lemongrass is refreshing and citrusy, may provide many health benefits and contains zero caffeine. Although it’s called lemon grass, it doesn’t have a sour and zesty note as lemons. Its scent and flavor are much more delicate, with an unmistakably herbal soul. Lemongrass is grown in many countries around the world. It’s often used in Asian cuisine. In fact, some cuisines, for example Thai, would not be the same without this delicious ingredient. Another important use of lemongrass is the production of lemongrass essential oil. Today, lemongrass as a tea and as an ingredient is so popular worldwide, that it’s possible to find it in many regular grocery stores. Lemongrass has a unique specific scent and flavor. Although it’s usually described as lemony, if you love lemons it’s doesn’t necessarily mean you will love lemongrass too. Lemongrass is less zesty and more aromatic than lemons. It blends well with many types of tea–white, green, oolong, black and even ginger and rooibos. Although lemongrass comes from hotter climates, growing lemongrass at home is possible too. You can easily grow it in a pot. Keep it away from the frost because it can’t survive harsh conditions. Cut it right after cooking or making tea.

Health Benefits of Drinking Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass is popular not only for its unique, refreshing flavor, but because it many potential health benefits too. Different parts of the plant will contain different compounds and all parts contain flavonoids – luteolin; and quercetin, kaempferol and apigenin in the leaves[2]. In traditional medicine, its primary use is for treating digestive disorder, inflammation, nervous disorder, and fever[3]. Benefits of lemongrass are:

1. Antioxidant activity

Studies show that lemongrass has a significant free radical scavenging activity and may help prevent oxidative stress[4]. Oxidative stress leads to cell damage and causes many chronic diseases[5]. Antioxidant activity comes from flavonoids. Interestingly, studies showed that dry lemongrass leaves show a higher anti oxidative activity than fresh lemongrass, and even higher than ginger[6]. Dried lemongrass is more often used for making tea, meaning your cup could potentially offer great benefits.

2. Antibacterial activity

Both lemongrass oil and tea may provide antibacterial activity. Studies showed that lemongrass tea may have a potential in treating infections.[7] Furthermore, lemongrass oil may have a high antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria[8].

3. Anti inflammatory activity

Studies on animals showed that lemongrass may have anti inflammatory properties[9]. Anti inflammatory activity in lemongrass comes from polyphenols, mostly luteolin and tannins. [10]

4. Analgesic activity

A cup of lemongrass tea may help ease the pain. Studies showed that lemongrass tea may possess analgesic activity[11]. Another study showed that when applied topically, lemongrass oil may help reduce the levels of pain in elderly patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis[12].

5. Anti-stress activity

The scent of lemongrass may provide stress relief. In herbal medicine, lemongrass has commonly been used for treating anxiety and stress, and even a brief inhalation of lemongrass oil may provide an anxiolytic effect[13].

6. Aiding weight loss

Studies on animals suggest that lemongrass root and flowers may help lower cholesterol[14]. Traditional uses suggest it may help with weight loss and detox, but those claims are still not scientifically proven. 

Caffeine Content

Lemongrass tea is a herbal tea. It doesn’t contain any caffeine, so it’s suitable for any time of the day or night. In fact, lemongrass may have a positive effect on energy levels and alertness and help reduce stress.

How to Make Lemongrass Tea

To make a cup of lemongrass tea you can use both fresh and dried lemongrass. They are both readily available online and in grocery shops. When using fresh lemongrass, use the stalks. Dried lemongrass loose leaf tea usually contains leaves instead. Use about 1 teaspoon of tea leaves and steep in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. If you are making tea using fresh lemongrass, keep it in the fridge until brewing. Wash and chop the stalks and boil them in hot water. Use about 1/3 to ½ cup of chopped lemongrass stalks per cup of water. Bring water to a boil and add the lemongrass root. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Always add a bit more water when boiling, rather than brewing tea, because simmering on low fire will reduce the amount of water. Try blending it with dried ginger pieces or make a refreshing iced tea using fresh ginger and fresh lemongrass stalks and serve the drink over ice. Lemongrass is great for cold brewing too. Add some green tea leaves to the pitcher for an even fresher green flavor.

Best blends with lemongrass

Lemongrass tastes delicious in many tea blends. It gives a unique light, airy and refreshing note.

1. Cucumber Breeze

Cucumber Breeze is a blend unlike any other blend in the world. This blend truly shows the beauty of lemongrass airy freshness. It’s crafted to make days as fresh and fun as possible and to instantly capture your taste buds and nose. Freshly washed cucumbers mixed with tropical papaya, fragrant jasmine flowers, slightly grassy sencha and invigorating lemongrass make this tea floral, sweet and fresh. Great for both making a cup of hot tea and cold brewing.

Cucumber Breeze green tea blend

2. Summer Splash

Fresh, zesty, and just a tiny bit floral - Summer Splash is a herbal blend that captures the waning spirit of summer. It’s one of those fun blends that can encourage you to enjoy every day of the passing summer. Besides lemongrass, it contains two more refreshing ingredients–lemon myrtle and eucalyptus. Summer Splash is great for making bubbly tea with seltzer water.

Summer Splash herbal blend

3. Chai Zip

Chai blend with lemongrass? Yes, it’s possible, and it’s incredibly delicious. This blend is bold and rich, spicy and sweet, with an intriguing lemongrass note. Chai Zip blend contains less spices than other more traditional chai blends. Ginger and cinnamon, however, offer an unmistakable chai flavor.

Chai Zip tea with lemongrass

4. Citrus Hibiscus

Lemongrass, hibiscus, rooibos and a tiny bit of orange peel–Citrus Hibiscus is a tangy, smooth and incredibly citrusy. It’s great for hot and cold brewing and making iced teas.

Citrus Hibiscus herbal tea   

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It’s not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Every person is different and may react to different herbs and teas differently. Never use teas or herbs to treat serious medical conditions on your own. Always seek professional medical advice before choosing home remedies.

References:

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217679/ [2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217679/ [3] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284880787_Potential_functions_of_lemongrass_Cymbopogon_citratus_in_health_and_diseases_J [4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284880787_Potential_functions_of_lemongrass_Cymbopogon_citratus_in_health_and_diseases_J [5] https://kresserinstitute.com/what-really-causes-oxidative-damage/ [6] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284880787_Potential_functions_of_lemongrass_Cymbopogon_citratus_in_health_and_diseases_J [7] https://www.academia.edu/27996819/ANTIBACTERIAL_ACTIVITY_OF_LEMON_GRASS_TEA_AGAINST_ORGANISMS_OF_CLINICAL_ORIGIN [8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1995764510601290 [9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217679/ [10] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275956609_Evaluation_of_Anti-inflammatory_and_Analgesic_Activities_of_Cymbopogon_citratus_In_vivo-Polyphenols_Contribution [11] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261220966_Biological_properties_of_lemongrass_An_overview [12] http://jpsr.pharmainfo.in/Documents/Volumes/vol9Issue02/jpsr09021734.pdf [13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26366471 [14] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333943572_STUDY_OF_ANTI-LIPIDEMIC_EFFECT_OF_LEMONGRASS_CYMBOPOGON_CITRATUS_AQUEOUS_ROOTS_AND_FLOWER_EXTRACTS_ON_ALBINO_MICE