Lemongrass or citronella is a tall plant native to Southeast Asia. The plant is mostly used in Thai cooking because of its lemony aroma and citrus flavor. But besides those, lemongrass has other potential health benefits, which include reducing stress. You can enjoy the benefits of lemongrass when used in your herbal teas, essential oils, as or a natural insect repellent. 

Although lemongrass is native to Southeast Asia, it's also cultivated in Africa, Australia, and South and North America. Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is a natural remedy for high blood pressure, digestive issues, pain, and fever. 

Over time, people have grown curious about how beneficial lemongrass is to human health, and in this article, we'll make a list of the benefits of lemongrass. 

Let's get into it. 

12 Amazing Lemongrass Benefits 

Before we continue, you might be interested to know that lemon grass contains iron, which helps with blood circulation,  calcium, vitamin C, carbohydrates, and protein. Below are some benefits of lemongrass. 

It has Antioxidant Properties

Lemon grass contains antioxidants that act as free radical scavengers and rids your body of disease-causing free radicals. The antioxidants contained in lemon grass include chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertia japonica, and they assist the cells in your coronary arteries to function correctly. 

Antimicrobial Properties

The antimicrobial properties that lemongrass tea contains improve oral health by curbing oral infections and cavities. Further studies reveal that lemongrass essential oil shows an antimicrobial activity against the bacteria that causes tooth decay. 

Lemongrass Offers Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Inflammation plays a significant role in some conditions that affect heart health, including stroke. Lemongrass contains two compounds -citral and geranial- that contribute significantly to its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties reduce the release of inflammation-causing markers in your body.

Ready for Weight Loss? Try Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass tea helps you in your weight loss journey because, as a natural diuretic, drinking enough of it kick-starts your metabolism. But note that you aren't to drink it excessively; you can alternate lemongrass tea with other sweetened drinks or water. 

Reduces Cancer Risks

Lemongrass is used because of some of its properties that are famous for fighting cancer. For instance, citral has potent abilities against cancer cell lines by either killing off cancer cells or helping your body fight cancer by improving your immune system. 

Improved Digestive Health 

Who says you have to wait for your stomach cramping to stop on its own? You don't have to endure digestive pains longer than you need to. A cup of lemongrass tea would do wonders for your upset stomach and all-around digestive health. 

Lemongrass essential oil also relieves gastric ulcers by protecting your stomach lining from the damage caused by regularly taking ethanol and aspirin.

Natural Diuretic 

One of the benefits of lemongrass is serving as a diuretic for liver or heart failure because they help you frequently urinate, which removes the excess fluid and sodium in your body. 

Although this study was conducted with male and female rats, research shows that lemongrass contains similar diuretic properties to green tea, which are relatively safe, do not cause any damage to your organs, or exhibit harmful side effects. 

Improves Your Menstrual Flow

One of the health benefits of lemongrass leaves is that they not only improve menstrual flow; they also relieve pain and PMS symptoms like hot flashes and bloating. You can also use lemongrass oil to cool your body when these symptoms start. 

Regulates Your Cholesterol Levels 

High cholesterol levels increase your risk of stroke or heart attacks. But with recommended doses of lemongrass oil extract from lemongrass leaves, you can reduce high cholesterol levels. However, more research needs to be conducted to ascertain if lemongrass tea has the same effects lemongrass oil extract has. 

High Blood Pressure? Say No More 

Lemongrass tea is excellent for regulating blood pressure and lowering blood sugar levels. Research shows that people who drink lemongrass tea often experience a moderate regulation of their heart rate levels. However, we advise that you don't take it excessively because it can lead to dangerous drops in your heart rate. 

Stressed and Anxious? 

From a scientific basis, people have said that lemongrass essential oil helps them calm down, and we agree. Lemongrass essential oil is often used in aromatherapy, massage therapy, and yoga because of its anti-stress benefits. 

Still Have Migraines?

Some peer-reviewed studies state that lemongrass oil is your best bet for migraines and headaches because it contains eugenol, a property that works like aspirin. 

Lemongrass: Directions For Use 

More research needs to be done on the standard dosage for lemongrass tea or its essential oil, but you can seek counsel from your medical practitioner that's familiar with any health issues you might have. 

For starters, we recommend one cup daily; if your body handles that, you can increase your intake. But you'd need to watch your body's reactions and cut down your intake as soon as you notice any side effects. 

You can take lemongrass in herbal tea, which can be in loose lemongrass tea or lemongrass tea bags. But since some herbal teas aren't regulated, ensure to purchase your herbal tea from a trusted manufacturer. 

Making lemongrass tea is as easy as people say it is, and here are steps to make and enjoy a cup of fresh lemongrass tea. 

• Pour boiling water over 2-3 teaspoons of lemongrass  

• Steep it for five minutes 

• Strain the tea 

• You can enjoy the tea hot or cold

• If you want it cold, add ice cubes to make a cup of iced lemongrass tea 

If drinking lemongrass tea isn't well-suited for you, note that it is one of many essential nutrients for cooking. Add a few lemongrass stalks to your soup or chicken noodles for the best results. You might also want to grow your lemongrass yourself, and all you need to do is to buy fresh lemongrass where herbs are sold. 

How To Use Lemongrass Essential Oil

For the best therapeutic use, you should use your lemongrass essential oil in the following ways. 

• Add a few drops of lemongrass oil to a diffuser 

• Add a few drops to a cotton ball or handkerchief and inhale

• Add a few drops to a bowl of warm or hot water and inhale the steam 

• For topical use, add a few drops of your essential oil to your carrier oil and dab on your wrists, temples, necks, and behind your ears as a calming alternative to perfumes 

Let's look at some potential side effects of consuming lemongrass. 

Potential Side Effects of Lemongrass 

If regulated, drinking lemongrass tea or using its essential oil are considered safe practices, but here are some potential side effects you might experience. 

• Frequent urination 

• Tiredness 

• Increased hunger 

• Dizziness

Apart from these, you might find that you're allergic to lemongrass itself. If this is the case, you should seek medical assistance if you develop the following symptoms. 

• Rashes 

• Itches 

• Difficult breathing 

• Increased heart rate 

Likewise, you should avoid lemongrass if you fall into the following categories. 

• Are pregnant

• Have low heart rate 

• Take prescribed diuretics 

• Have low potassium levels

Likewise, lemongrass essential oil has some side effects and can poison kids and pets, especially if administered in high doses. Also, if you notice your skin breaking out in rashes, hives, blisters, redness, or itching, discontinue the administration. 

However, here's a list of do's and don'ts if you use this oil. 

• Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil before using

• Avoid lemongrass oil if you have eczema 

• Don't administer to a broken skin 

• Ensure that your oil doesn't contain fillers or fragrances 

This goes without saying that you should consult your health practitioner before you self-prescribe lemongrass tea or its essential oil. 

Recommended Herbal Teas That Contain Lemongrass 

No doubt, lemongrass has potential health benefits and soothing properties. But which recommended herbal teas contain lemongrass? 

At Drink Symbi, our tummy tea, anxi-tea, and sweet dreams tea are some of the herbal blends that contain lemongrass. These teas contain several other herbs that effectively complement lemongrass and function to enhance your overall health. 

Here are some of the other herbs used in these teas.

Spearmint

Spearmint gets its name from its spear-shaped leaves, and it has a similar taste to peppermint. Spearmint is popular in Europe and Asia but is cultivated in five other continents. Because of its fresh and pleasant taste, spearmint is used for mouthwash, toothpaste, candy, and chewing gum. But one of the best ways to enjoy this herb is by brewing it as tea with either fresh or dried leaves. 

Spearmint is also used because it aids digestive health, balances hormones, contains antioxidants, reduces the growth of facial hair, and improves memory. 

Hawthorn

Hawthorn, or mayflower, is widely grown in moist climates and is closely related to the rose family. Although its fruits, flowers, and plants have slightly bitter tastes and unpleasant smells, they're famous for their medicinal benefits. 

Hawthorn curbs symptoms of poor cardiovascular health and anxiety, and we advise that you do not use hawthorn when you're taking medication for lowering blood pressure. 

Valerian Roots

Valerian roots, or nature's valium, have been used since the middle ages. But unlike its better-scented flowers, valerian roots have more nutrients, as well as an unpleasant smell. However, this doesn't limit its medicinal properties. 

Valerian roots contain flavonoids and gamma-aminobutyric acid that regulates the messages your nervous system receives. Valerian roots are famous because they reduce hot flashes, improve symptoms of restless legs syndrome, and relieve painful menstruation. 

Ashwagandha

As an Ayurvedic herb, ashwagandha balances your cortisol levels and eases anxiety and other phobia-related disorders. 

Apart from these, it improves good sleep, regulates blood sugar, reduces memory loss, and eases the pain associated with arthritis. 

Fennel 

In earlier times, people hung fennel over their doors to protect them from evil spirits, but times have changed, and so have the uses of fennel. Fennel is now a medicinal plant and is famous for its benefits. 

Some of the functions fennel are famous for include; relieving pains, painful periods, colic, and irritable bowel syndrome, stimulating milk production in breastfeeding women, improving hydration, and regulating blood sugar. 

Chamomile Flowers

What better way to relieve stress and anxiety than with a cup of chamomile tea? Its soothing properties are the primary reasons chamomile is famous, and unlike other black teas, chamomile lacks caffeine and helps you relax completely. 

Chamomile flowers relieve PMS symptoms, strengthen bones and teeth, and help with insomnia and other stress disorders. 

Peppermint

Peppermint will always be a reliable companion on the days that become too cold. With its refreshing flavor, taste, and aroma, peppermint is used to improve moods and enhance relaxation. That's not all. 

Peppermint also clears your mind, dispels headaches, and clears congestion in your respiratory tract. 

Lemon Balm 

Lemon balm comes from the mint family and is characterized by lemon scents and beautiful flowers. It is often used to prepare medicines, supplement pills, and food. Lemon balm contains flavonoids and is famous for treating cold sores, nausea, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. You can enjoy lemon balm by brewing it as tea or using it in your cooking, which significantly improves your mood. 

Oatstraw

You get oatstraw from the same plant that produces the oatmeal you enjoy for breakfast. To enjoy oatstraw tea, you'd have to brew a portion of the dried herbs in boiling water because it offers more nutrients. 

Oatstraw is rich in calcium, vitamins, and minerals and is excellent for improving blood flow, reducing inflammation with its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, strengthening bones and teeth, soothing the nerves, and lifting moods.  

Final Thoughts

The health benefits of lemongrass, both in essential oil and tea, is highly effective, with its potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Still, you need to follow specific directives to get the most out of this herb. 

You might also want to take it with other herbs for optimal results. The tummy tea, anxi-tea, and sweet dreams tea available at Drink Symbi help support your digestive system, reduce your stress levels, improve your sleep, and generally restore balance to your immune system.