What lemongrass tea is good for?
Lemongrass is a plant with long leaves (they can reach more than 1 meter) popularly known as lemon balm.
Regardless of the name by which you know it, lemongrass tea benefits and properties for your health are well known and documented.
This plant also has other names such as Lemon balm, Lemongrass, lemon cane, Cedron (Argentina) and Yerba Luisa or Herb Luisa (Chile, Ecuador and Peru) and its scientific name is Cymbopogon citratus.
Lemongrass or lemongrass is an herb native to Sri Lanka and southern India.
it is characterized by having a lemon fragrance that gives it a definite citrus flavor, with a soft and sweet touch.
Which fills it with qualities that fill Asian cuisine with flavors.
It’s also very popular to consume it in tea, it is a scented drink and is characterized by not containing caffeine or tannins.
It is a plant with thin and long leaves that are similar to seagrass and thanks to this it receives its peculiar name.
While it is estimated that there are about 55 species of lemongrass, only the varieties of West and East India are suitable for cooking.
Lemongrass plant can be purchased in some natural product stores or in the form of tea in tea stores.
Lemongrass properties.
It is known as an aromatic herb from the grass family; it is an evergreen plant that is mostly found in hot climates and grows continuously.
Due to its pleasant lemon smell, it is also called lemon. This plant has a large number of properties:
- Diuretic
- Antioxidants
- Antiseptic
- Antibacterial
- Antispasmodic
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What lemongrass tea is good for?
The lemongrass can be consumed in several ways to take advantage of all the benefits it brings, as we will see later.
However, below, we want to tell you what these benefits are:
Improves oral health: In many countries, especially in villages and communities where lemongrass occurs naturally.
Native people have the habit of chewing the stems to improve dental health and clean the mouth.
The truth is that it is not just a local ritual, it is a great habit for oral health.
In that research paper, the authors analyzed the oral health effects of 12 herbs and found that lemongrass herbal extracts were one of the most potent inhibitors of bacterial growth in laboratory samples.
Detoxification of the body: thanks to its diuretic properties, lemon balm is an herb that fights toxins from the body, thus contributing to a better functioning of the kidneys and liver, among other organs.
Lemongrass removes fats accumulated in the body and helps maintain the health of the digestive system.
It helps decrease nervousness: Another benefit of lemongrass is that it is perfect for decreasing nervousness and stress, as well as seizures and vertigo symptoms.
This is due to its great relaxing properties, perfect also for stimulating the mind.
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It is good for relieving anxiety: It is a fact that drinking any variant of hot tea is a relaxing habit, however lemongrass tea offers very particular benefits to reduce anxiety.
There are references that support its benefits such is the case of the information revealed by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
In which the benefits of smelling lemongrass are verified for people who suffer from anxiety and constant nervousness.
It helps to combat insomnia: also closely linked to its relaxing properties, as lemon grass is able to relax the muscles and, consequently, to combat episodes of insomnia.
Increases metabolism and burns fat. In recent months it has attracted special attention to the immense qualities of lemongrass tea to lose weight.
Which is why it is currently one of the most recommended drinks in various trends and diets focused on losing weight.
This is because it helps boost metabolism and makes digestion faster, in such a way that it helps burn more calories.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2013, the polyphenols found in tea’s natural plant compounds were found to increase energy use and improve the oxidation of fatty acids in the body.
Helps prevent respiratory disorders: this plant also prevents colds and coughs, as its high content of vitamin C can help you fight cold symptoms such as nasal congestion or other symptoms associated with the flu.
Perfect for fighting infections: lemongrass tea is also very effective against skin infections, scabies, athlete’s foot and even urinary tract infections. This is possible thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
Helps prevent disorders of the digestive system: possessing antispasmodic properties, lemongrass can also help relieve menstrual cramps and stomach pains.
Lowers high cholesterol levels: There is an article published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, in which the properties of the consumption of lemongrass extracts reduce cholesterol are endorsed.
An important point of this study is that it was found that the reaction in each person will depend on the dose; which means that large amounts of lemongrass could further lower cholesterol.
Lemongrass tea side effects.
Lemongrass tea can cause dizziness, dry mouth and reduced blood pressure, which can cause dizziness and even blackouts.
Because of this, it is advisable not to exceed the recommended quantity of this tea per day.
When used on the skin, it may cause burns in the event of sun exposure. Therefore, the treated area should be washed after each use.
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Contraindications.
Lemon balm tea is contraindicated in cases of severe abdominal pain without apparent cause, in case of ingesting diuretics and during pregnancy.
In addition to this, in case you ingest medications to control blood pressure, you should consult your doctor before ingesting this plant.
Lemongrass tea recipe.
Preparation
- Put 4 cups of water in a bowl.
- Add 10 lemongrass leaves.
- Bring the leaves and water to a boil for 10 minutes over medium heat.
- Sweeten with honey or sugar to taste.
- Lemongrass tea is good to drink cold or hot in the morning or evening.
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Final thoughts.
It has been used in Indian medicine to treat infections and fever. Recent research has shown that it also acts as a sedative to the nervous system.
Its vapors help fight fatigue, lighten and animate the mind, headaches.
Migraines and neuralgia as well as contribute to the relief of depression.
It has antibacterial, antiseptic and deodorant properties. It is also used as a pesticide and anti-dust insecticide.
Effective to regularize excessive perspiration as well as oily skin and hair.
It may act as a general tonic of the body, balancing the heart and stimulating the nervous system.
This is why it is useful during a convalescence to regain tone, spirit and balance.
Helps relieve gastrointestinal pains including stomach cramps.
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