Many people believe that lemongrass tea has numerous health benefits, including bloating relief and infection prevention. According to Rachel Nall, researchers have not yet conducted enough large-scale studies to prove these benefits. Citronella, or lemongrass, is a tall, stalky plant. It has a fresh, lemony aroma and a citrus flavor, according to Annette McDermott. It's a common ingredient in Thai cooking and a natural insect repellent. Aromatherapy uses lemongrass essential oil to freshen the air, reduce stress, and lift the mood. Lemongrass is also used as a folk remedy to help with sleep, pain relief, and immunity. Lemongrass tea is one of the most popular ways to consume it.
Many people believe that lemongrass tea has numerous health benefits, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Doctors are aware that tea can aid in the fight against free radicals, thereby lowering the incidence of inflammation in the body. Lemongrass contains anti-inflammatory compounds such as chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertiajaponin. Inflammation plays a role in a variety of negative health conditions, including pain and heart disease. As a result, lemongrass tea may be a beneficial drink for people to include in their diet.
Lemongrass contains several antioxidants, according to a 2005 study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, which can help scavenge free radicals in your body that may cause disease. Notable antioxidants include chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertiajaponin. These antioxidants may aid in the prevention of cell dysfunction within your coronary arteries. Lemongrass tea's antimicrobial properties may aid in the treatment of oral infections and cavities. Lemongrass essential oil exhibited antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus mutans bacteria, the bacteria most responsible for tooth decay, according to 2012 in vitro study published by the National Institutes of Health.
Many diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are thought to be exacerbated by inflammation. Two of the main compounds in lemongrass, citral, and geranial, are thought to be responsible for their anti-inflammatory benefits, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. These compounds are said to help your body stop the release of certain inflammation-causing markers. Citral in lemongrass, according to Annette McDermott, is also thought to have potent anticancer properties against some cancer cell lines. Several components of lemongrass aid in the fight against cancer. This is accomplished by either directly causing cell death or by boosting your immune system so that your body is better able to fight cancer on its own.
A cup of lemongrass tea is an excellent alternative remedy for upset stomach, stomach cramps, and other digestive issues. Lemongrass may also be effective against gastric ulcers, according to a 2012 study on rodents published by the National Institutes of Health. The study discovered that the essential oil of lemongrass leaves can help protect the stomach lining from aspirin and ethanol damage. Aspirin use on a regular basis is a common cause of gastric ulcers.
Rachel Nall explained that lemongrass tea can be prepared at home. After choosing to buy the stalks from a grocery store or herbalist, people can brew their tea by:
- use 1-2 stalks cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces
- boil a cup of water
- pour the boiling water over the lemongrass stalks to steep
- leave the stalks in the water for at least 5 minutes
- strain the liquid from the stalks and pour it into a teacup
Adding ice cubes results in a cold lemongrass tea. The tea should taste fresh and citrusy. Start with one cup of lemongrass tea per day and gradually increase the amount in your diet over the next few days if desired. Lemongrass tea is a tasty beverage that also has health benefits. While the majority of lemongrass tea studies to date have been small-scale or lab-based, the results show that lemongrass tea can help to improve oral health, lower cholesterol, and relieve bloating. In addition to drinking lemongrass tea, people can incorporate it into dishes such as soups.
ZDS DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND
References:
1. 10 Reasons to Drink Lemongrass Tea
Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R.D., L.D., ACSM EP-C — By Annette McDermott — Updated on August 9, 2019
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/lemongrass-tea
2. What are the health benefits of lemongrass tea?
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — By Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA on October 24, 2018
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321969
3. Free Radical Scavengers and Antioxidants from Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.)
José Cheel, Cristina Theoduloz, Jaime Rodríguez, and Guillermo Schmeda-Hirschmann
