A Zesty Elixir: Remarkable Lemongrass Tea Benefits Revealed
Lemongrass tea, with its vibrant aroma and citrusy flavor, has long been cherished for its taste and its long list of health benefits. From aiding digestion to reducing anxiety, this zesty elixir offers many health advantages contributing to overall well-being.
In this article, we take a closer look at the remarkable benefits of lemongrass tea, exploring its many therapeutic properties and why sipping on this tea will help get your health back on track.
What is Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass tea (or lemon grass tea) is one of those herbal teas you don't hear much about, but it's just as healthy as black or green tea. However, unlike other teas, his tea is mainly made from the lemongrass stalks of the Cymbopogon citratus plant and not the lemongrass leaves - a tropical grass native to Southeast Asia. These fresh lemongrass stalks are prized for their distinct flavor and lemon-like aroma.
To drink fresh lemongrass tea, you must prepare it, which is really simple. You can use fresh or dried lemon grass stalks steeped in hot, but not boiling, water, allowing the aromatic oils and nutrients to seep and infuse the liquid with the refreshing flavor of lemongrass. Stalks are then discarded.
The resulting lemongrass brew has a refreshing citrus taste with subtle herbal undertones, making it a delightful beverage to sip day or night. If you enjoy cold drinks, add a couple of ice cubes to your glass and enjoy a refreshing iced lemongrass tea.
You can drink lemongrass tea alone or use a natural sweetener to give it some sweetness. One delicious lemon grass drink will give you all the plant's natural goodness. You'll feel no need to reach for soft drinks when you have a naturally sweet, healthy drink such as lemongrass tea. In addition to being an alternative to these highly processed sugar-sweetened drinks, it is also a caffeine-free alternative for people with sensitivities to caffeine.
And when it comes to the plant's benefits. Lemongrass tea and lemongrass essential oil have been used for centuries in traditional medicine in cultures worldwide. Rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, drinking lemongrass tea provides a natural way to support daily health and vitality.
Whether sipped as a soothing drink before bedtime or enjoyed as a refreshing pick-me-up during the day, lemongrass tea offers a refreshing and invigorating experience for both the body and the mind.
Top Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea
Among the many health benefits of lemongrass tea, it is best known for promoting heart health, boosting immunity, and aiding digestion. This herbal tea contains various bioactive compounds, including citral, polyphenols, and flavonoids, contributing to all the fantastic health benefits. Let's explore some of lemongrass tea's most noteworthy health benefits and how they can positively impact your well-being.
#1. Lowering Cholesterol
One of the key benefits of lemon grass tea is its potential to lower cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is one of the known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Although more research is needed, studies show that the citral compound found in lemongrass essential oil may help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
When lemongrass tea is included in a healthy diet and lifestyle, it lowers cholesterol and contributes to better cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular ailments.
#2. Reduces Anxiety
In today's fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become prevalent issues affecting many individuals. Fortunately, lemongrass tea and lemongrass essential oils offer a natural remedy for calming the mind and relieving anxiety and stress. Studies show that smelling lemongrass, taking a lemongrass extract, or drinking this tea can help alleviate tension and promote relaxation.
Drinking that warm cup of lemongrass tea after a hard day can provide a comforting feeling that eases nervousness and promotes a sense of tranquility.
#3. Boosting Oral Health
Ensuring good oral hygiene is crucial for overall health. When you drink lemongrass tea, you get all the antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help combat oral pathogens and promote better oral hygiene. This tea even has antimicrobial properties that can make your mouth more healthy.
Drinking lemongrass tea or using it as a mouthwash may help reduce plaque buildup, prevent gum disease, and even freshen your breath. Additionally, the antioxidants present in lemongrass tea may help protect against oxidative damage to oral tissues, contributing to improved oral health and hygiene.
#4. Lemongrass Can Promote Liver Detoxification
The liver helps detoxify the body by removing harmful toxins and metabolizing substances. One of the health benefits of lemongrass is its amount of citric acid, which supports liver function and promotes detoxification processes.
Studies suggest that lemongrass's antioxidant properties and bioactive compounds may help protect the liver from damage caused by oxidative stress and toxins. Regular consumption of lemongrass tea may aid liver detoxification, promoting overall health and well-being.
#5. Helps Promote Weight Loss
Lemongrass tea and weight loss? Yes, this herbal infusion, brewed from the leaves of the lemongrass plant, offers a natural and calorie-free beverage option that can be incorporated into a balanced diet and lifestyle regimen.
Lemongrass tea may contribute to weight loss by aiding digestion and promoting a healthy metabolism. Lemongrass contains compounds like citral, which stimulate the production of digestive enzymes in the body. By boosting the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from food, the lemongrass extract in the tea may help optimize the body's metabolic processes, leading to more efficient calorie utilization and potentially supporting weight management goals.
Moreover, lemongrass tea is often praised as a natural diuretic, which means it can help reduce water retention and bloating. Although shedding excess water weight does not necessarily translate to fat loss, it can contribute to a leaner and more defined appearance, particularly in the short term. Additionally, the mild detoxifying effects of lemongrass tea may support the body's natural detoxification processes, aiding in eliminating waste and toxins that could impede weight loss efforts.
Let's not forget that lemongrass tea is a great way to stay hydrated. It can promote feelings of fullness, reducing your need to reach for the sweets. Incorporating lemongrass tea with regular exercise and a well-rounded diet emphasizing whole foods, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables can complement weight loss and contribute to a healthier lifestyle overall.
#6. Protection Against Gastric Ulcers
Digestive wellness is essential, and lemongrass tea can help soothe the pain from gastric ulcers. These ulcers are painful sores that develop in the digestive tract, either in the stomach lining or small intestine. It is caused by factors such as infection, stress, or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Research indicates that lemongrass possesses anti-inflammatory compounds and gastroprotective properties that may help prevent the formation of gastric ulcers and promote healing of existing ulcers. The phenolic compounds and flavonoids in lemongrass tea may even provide digestive support, relieve bloating, and protect the gastrointestinal tract, making it a soothing and beneficial beverage for digestive health.
#7. Relieving Pain
Lemongrass tea is prized for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory benefits can help alleviate various types of pain and chronic inflammation, including headaches, muscle aches, and menstrual cramps. The natural inflammation-fighting compounds found in lemongrass, such as citral and eugenol, exhibit pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, making it a popular remedy for pain management.
These anti-inflammatory properties can effectively relieve discomfort and promote relaxation, whether consumed as a warm beverage or applied topically as a poultice or lemongrass oil. Although more research is needed to fully understand these potential health benefits for relieving pain, a warm and relaxing massage of lemongrass essential oil can help reduce muscle pain and feel good again. Not to mention, the soothing smell will calm your mind.
#8. Boosting Red Blood Cell Levels
Anemia is a condition that causes a deficiency in hemoglobin or red blood cells. People with anemia can feel fatigued and weak and may experience other health complications. Lemongrass contains iron, a vital mineral for producing red blood cells and preventing anemia.
Drinking lemongrass tea regularly can help boost iron levels in the body and support the production of healthy red blood cells, thereby improving energy levels and overall health. Incorporating lemongrass tea into a balanced diet can particularly benefit people suffering from iron deficiency anemia.
#9. Lemongrass Can Lower Blood Pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a significant risk factor for heart disease and other severe health problems. Several studies have shown that lemongrass oil possesses hypotensive properties, which can help lower high blood pressure levels.
Antioxidants found in both the lemongrass herbal teas and the essential oils are chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertiajaponin. These antioxidants may help prevent the dysfunction of cells inside your coronary arteries.
The citral compound in lemongrass oil acts as a natural vasodilator. It relaxes blood vessels and promotes better blood flow. By incorporating lemongrass tea into their daily routine, people with hypertension and high blood pressure can help manage both more effectively, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
#10. Lemongrass tea can help control diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that causes high blood sugar levels. If left unmanaged, it can lead to various serious health problems. Studies suggest that using lemongrass oil or drinking this tea may benefit individuals with diabetes. It helps to regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
The bioactive compounds in lemongrass, such as citral and polyphenols, have been shown to possess anti-diabetic properties, aiding in glucose metabolism and reducing insulin resistance. Incorporating lemongrass tea or the essential oil as part of a diabetic-friendly diet may help support glycemic control, which can help lower the risk of diabetic complications.
#11. Lemongrass may help prevent cancer
Lemongrass has been gaining attention for its potential health benefits, including its purported ability to help prevent cancer. Here's an expanded explanation of how lemongrass may contribute to cancer prevention:
Antioxidant Properties: Lemongrass extract, tea, and essential oil are rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and vitamin C. These antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals in your body, which are known to damage cells and DNA and lead to cancer development. By scavenging free radicals, lemongrass may help reduce oxidative stress and lower cancer risk.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Chronic inflammation in the body is a risk factor for cancer. Lemongrass contains bioactive compounds like citral, citronellol, and geraniol, which possess anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the body. These compounds can help prevent the production of inflammatory molecules in the body, thereby reducing the inflammatory response that can contribute to cancer initiation and progression.
Apoptosis Induction: Also known as programmed cell death, apoptosis is a natural physical process that eliminates damaged or abnormal cells from the body. One potential mechanism by which lemongrass may prevent cancer is by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Studies have shown that certain compounds in lemongrass can trigger apoptotic pathways, leading to the death of cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
Detoxification Support: Lemongrass contains detoxifying compounds that support the body's natural detoxification processes. By aiding in eliminating carcinogens and toxins from the body, lemongrass may reduce the risk of cellular damage that can lead to cancer.
Immune Modulation: A well-functioning immune system is crucial in identifying and destroying cancerous cells. Specific components of lemongrass modulate immune function, enhancing the body's ability to recognize and eliminate abnormal cells before they develop into tumors and help support weakened immune systems.
Despite the promising findings from laboratory and animal studies, more clinical research is needed to confirm the anti-cancer effects of lemongrass in humans. Additionally, speaking to your healthcare provider about introducing lemongrass as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle is essential rather than relying solely on it as a preventive measure against cancer.
Drinking Lemongrass Tea For Better Health
In conclusion, lemongrass tea is not only a flavorful and aromatic beverage but also a potent elixir with remarkable health benefits. From promoting heart health to relieving stress to boosting the immune system, lemongrass tea offers a natural and enjoyable way to support overall well-being.
Whether you're looking to improve digestion, lower cholesterol, or enhance oral health, incorporating an inviting organic lemongrass tea and the essential oil into your daily diet is a simple yet effective strategy for optimizing health and vitality. So why not brew yourself a cup of this zesty elixir today and experience the refreshing benefits of lemon grass?
