How (and Why!) to Make Lemongrass Tea

Author:
Justin Choo
Updated date:
Dec 9, 2019

I like to share information that makes life more joyful and meaningful. My main interests are health and general wellness in body and mind.

Why Drink Lemongrass Tea?

First, why do we want to drink lemongrass tea? It has great medicinal values, that’s why. You can’t eat lemongrass. So the next best thing is to make tea with it. It contains anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties.

There is a substance in it called "citral" that gives it the lemon-like aroma. This citral allegedly causes cancer cells to self-destruct, a process referred to as “apoptosis.” Apart from this very important substance, lemongrass is also able to heal many illnesses and relieve problems like joint and muscle pains. Drinking lemongrass tea has the following benefits:

Detoxify the body
Improve blood circulation
Reduce blood pressure
Cure flu and cold
Reduce fever
Relieve indigestion and flatulence
Relieve arthritic pain
Normalize bowel movement and bladder control

The scientific name for lemongrass is Cymbopogon. One variety is called citronella, and it is effective for repelling insects, especially mosquitoes. In Asian cooking, lemongrass is an indispensable ingredient, especially in Thai cuisine. Here in Malaysia, and also in Indonesia, it is called serai. In our local Hokkien dialect, lemongrass is called chang mao. It is also an important herb in Ayurvedic treatment for cough and nasal congestion.

8 Stalks of Lemongrass
Photo by author Good Guy

Boiling the Lemongrass
Photo by author Good Guy

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How to Make Lemongrass Tea

Wash 8 stalks of lemongrass.
Crush the stalks with the flat side or blunt side of a knife or with a pestle.
Put stalks in a pot with 1 liter of water and bring to boil.
Simmer for 30 minutes.
Discard the stalks.
Add 2 tablespoons (or to taste) of brown sugar.
Drink it hot, cold, or at room temperature, whichever suits your taste.

My Lemongrass Tea
Photo by author Good Guy

Harvesting Lemongrass

The information provided in this article is sourced from the internet, from friends and contacts, and from personal experience. As I cautioned in my article, not every remedy will work on everyone. It very much depends on the person's constitution and the conditions peculiar to that person.

Whatever the reasons, this article does not claim the information provided will "cure" anyone. The purpose of this article is merely to inform visitors that there are alternative remedies for many ailments.

You are therefore advised to consult your registered medical physicians as a matter of due diligence.

Sources

De Silva, B., et al. (2017). Antimicrobial property of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil against pathogenic bacteria isolated from pet turtles. Laboratory animal research, 33(2), 84–91. doi:10.5625/lar.2017.33.2.84
Philion, C., et al. (2017). Cymbopogon citratus and Camellia sinensis extracts selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells and reduce growth of lymphoma xenografts in vivo. Oncotarget, 8(67), 110756–110773. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.22502
Xia, H., et al. (2012). The in vitro study of apoptosis in NB4 cell induced by citral. PubMed. doi: 10.1007/s10616-012-9453-2

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.