Learn the Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass, also known as citronella grass and fever grass, is native to India. It is a perennial grass that thrives in warm weather and reaches a height of about 2-4 feet. It is easy to grow, usually started by a section of the root, and requires a sunny spot and plenty of water.
Lemongrass tea has a fresh lemon scent and flavor and has been used for many years in Chinese medicine to treat a number of problems.
Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea
Cancer
In 2006, research discovered citral (a substance in lemongrass) caused apoptosis in malignant cancer cells, meaning the cancer cells would kill off themselves (a cell suicide). Citral not only caused cancer cells to kill themselves on a petri dish, it caused no harm to normal cells that were present. More amazingly, the quantity of citral used in this experiment was equivalent to one cup of tea using 1 gram of lemongrass in hot water.[1]
Other
Lemongrass tea can help with poor digestion, stomach aches, gas, bowel spasms, and diarrhea. It is said to be a mild sedative and can calm nerves. Because it contains vitamin A, it can be helpful in keeping the eyes and skin healthy.
Lemongrass tea, with pepper, can help relieve menstrual problems and nausea. It can promote perspiration and lower fevers or cool the body in high temperatures. It may also help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
When used externally, lemongrass tea can help treat athlete’s foot (because it has anti-fungal properties), heal cuts and sprains, and relieve arthritic pain.
Preparing Lemongrass Tea
• Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried lemongrass herb (or, if you have your own plant, rinse off a few blades and cut them in inch-long pieces).
• Cover, steep for about 5 minutes (or as long as you wish), and strain.
To enjoy the benefits of lemongrass tea even more, you can add a little honey to sweeten its taste. You can also add some ice and drink it cold.
References
[1] Planta Med. 71 (5): 484–8
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