Lemongrass gets much of its character from citral, a volatile aromatic compound.
Research measuring brewed lemongrass tea found citral in both steeped infusions and simmered decoctions, with more citral and greater antioxidant activity in the simmered version.
Keep a lid on the cup or pot while it brews to help retain those volatile compounds.
Steeping is quicker. Simmering gives you a stronger extraction from the same leaf.
That tight, overfull feeling after a big meal is what most people drink this for. Lemongrass is a carminative, which means it helps the gut relax and let trapped gas go instead of holding onto it. It has been the after dinner drink across South and South East Asia for centuries for exactly this reason.
Citral, the compound behind the lemon scent, eases tension in the smooth muscle of the gut wall. That is the difference between a stomach that is gripping and one that has let go. Warm, aromatic and gentle enough to drink on a day when you feel off.
Lemongrass keeps things moving. It encourages the natural wave of muscle movement that carries food through the gut and it supports a healthier balance of gut bacteria while it does it. Drink it daily and digestion settles into a rhythm.
Warm lemongrass is a long standing remedy for queasiness and the heavy, weighed down feeling that comes with it. The aroma does part of the work before you have taken a sip, which is why it is worth drinking it hot rather than letting it cool.
This one has been measured in people. Adults drinking lemongrass infusion daily passed more urine and passed it more often within ten days. It is where the plant's long standing reputation as a flushing tea comes from and it is the reason it sits well after a salty or heavy few days.
Every cup carries caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin and apigenin, the same family of plant antioxidants you get from green tea and coffee, with none of the caffeine. That means you can drink it at nine at night and still sleep.
Lemongrass has long been drunk as a calming tea, which is why it suits the end of the day rather than the start of it.
Citral and the other aromatic compounds that give lemongrass its scent have been studied for anti inflammatory activity.
Lemongrass can be enjoyed at any time of day, but it is best after a heavy meal.
For a stronger cup, add 1 teaspoon of dried lemongrass to 250 ml of water.
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and leave for 5–10 minutes. Keeping the lid on helps retain the aromatic oils, including citral.
Strain and enjoy warm.
For a quicker cup, add 1 teaspoon of dried lemongrass to 250 ml of just-boiled water.
Cover and steep for 5–10 minutes, then strain and drink warm.
Citral is two compounds in one, geranial and neral. It is what you smell the moment you open it and it is the compound behind the gut relaxing effect. It carries over into brewed tea and simmering pulls out more of it than steeping does.
These are the antioxidants in the cup: caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, luteolin and apigenin. Unlike citral they are not volatile, so they hold up well in a covered brew.
There is no caffeine in it, no flavourings, no fillers and no cheaper leaf blended in to bulk it out. It is one ingredient, organic sun dried lemongrass.
Not suitable during pregnancy. Speak to your healthcare professional before use if you are breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a medical condition. Sold as a food, not a medicine.
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