RESTORATIVE LEMONGRASS TEA: MEANING, HEALTH BENEFITS AND RECIPE
RESTORATIVE LEMONGRASS TEA: MEANING, HEALTH BENEFITS AND RECIPE
Lemongrass tea is made from either fresh or dried lemongrass herb by pouring boiled water over it. Lemongrass tea has many health benefits associated with it.
It is also added to many herbal infusions to mellow the flavor. The flavor combines well with mint and ginger, and this combination is good for digestion.
WHAT IS LEMONGRASS?
Lemongrass is a tall, perennial grass that is a native of Africa and Southeast Africa where it has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. It has long, thin green leaves on hard purple-tinged stems called culms. The leaves have a beautiful lemon scent when brushed.
If grown in a tropical climate, it is an evergreen plant and can grow up to 6 feet (2 meters) tall. There are fifty-five species of Cymbopogon, including Cymbopogon nardus, commonly referred to as citronella grass, from which citronella oil is made.
You can use the culm or stem of Cymbopogon citratus to make tea, but you can also use the leaves, as they are delicious.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF LEMONGRASS TEA
There are believed to be many health benefits to drinking lemongrass tea. Following are some of those.
1) The leaves of lemongrass are high in folic acid, vitamin C, and vitamin B.
2) Lemongrass is known to help improve digestion and calm nervous stomachs. A hot cup of lemongrass tea will also cure depression.
3) It is an antiseptic and helps fight coughs and colds. It is very helpful to bring down fevers, calm nervous tension, and ameliorate arthritic pain.
4) lemongrass tea is a natural diuretic so it will help flush toxins from your body and keep you healthy.
HARVESTING AND STORING LEMONGRASS
You can collect lemongrass leaves at any time during its growing season to use fresh. Just cut off a leaf with scissors and use. Make sure enough leaves remain on the plant so that it can continue to grow.
Cut the leaves up into small pieces and lay them on a mesh screen or flat sieve. Set them somewhere warm to dry for twelve hours, or until completely dry.
Once dry and crispy, store in a sealed glass jar somewhere dry and dark until needed.
HOW TO MAKE LEMONGRASS TEA
INGREDIENTS:
1) 1 cup of water
2) 3 pinches of fresh lemongrass or dried lemongrass tea
PREPARATION:
1) Fill the kettle with fresh water. Bring the water to a boil, then pour some into your teacup to warm it up. Discard the water.
2) Put three pinches of fresh or dried lemongrass leaves into a teapot.
3) Pour the boiled water (which should be between 176 to 185°F/80 to 85°C) over the tea and cover it to contain the aroma.
4) Allow the tea to steep for three minutes. Pour the teapot using a tea strainer.
Then enjoy a wonderfully aromatic lemongrass tea. Lemongrass so makes a delicious iced tea. Steep the tea as before, then refrigerate until chilled. Serve with ice cubes and lemongrass leaves.