Lemongrass Tea For the duration of Pregnancy

Lemongrass is a delicious plant that has long grass like growth, ending with a bulb like portion that is very close in taste to that of ginger. It is used widely in Asian cooking, especially that of Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. I remember when I first had the infamous green Thai curry, there was lemongrass in it that completely gave the dish a whole new platform in flavor. It has a strong lemony taste, and isn’t a plant that is used generously in cooking because of its strong taste. The bulb is also included in cooking where it is powdered first before being added to a dish. It is native to India, and grows well in climates that are warm and humid. The name given to lemongrass is cymbopogon citratus and comes from the poaceae family.

The lemongrass plant can be grown indoors, provided that you aren’t trying to make it take root in the winter season. It has to be in an area that is warm and damp for it to flourish. So, in this section where we cover all things lemongrass related, we also find out if lemongrass tea during pregnancy is a safe herb for women to drink as tea during this time.

Lemongrass Tea During Pregnancy – Safe or Unsafe?

There are so many variations of the herbal tea out there, that not everyone may have tried out each and every one of the many concoctions. The herbs used in teas can range from mild to strong, embodying a set of different benefits when you drink of its concentrated content. Not only are these herbs used for teas, but many of them are essential ingredients used in cooking. So, to answer your question on if lemongrass is safe or not, the answer is no. What you can drink instead during this time are those in the list of safe herbs which can be ingested in small quantities, and not on a regular basis, since these contain chemicals that can prove to be harmful during those nine crucial months. So, go easy on the safe herbs, and without a doubt stay clear from those that aren’t safe for expecting moms and those that are nursing.

Safe Herbs:PeppermintThymeGingerRoasted barleyLime blossomRose hipsUnsafe Herbs
FennelKava rootCocaChamomileLobeliaWoodruffMugwortAniseValerianVetiverLicorice rootSkullcapLabradorMateSassafrasEuropean mistletoeYarrowRaspberry leafCatnipSageComfreyPennyroyalHorehoundEphedraStinging nettle leafRosemaryLemongrassHibiscusLemongrass Tea Benefits

You’ll find that the benefits of lemongrass are aplenty, with many of them catering to many major illnesses and problems that the body faces.The liver is detoxified, along with organs like the digestive tract, kidney and bladder.Gastroenteritis and indigestion are two problems that lemongrass combats.Has antifungal and antibacterial attributes.Reduces excess fat, uric acid and even cholesterol.Tones tissue and muscle mass.Strengthens the immunity system.Menstrual cramping is reduced.Helps improve one’s skin condition of pimples and even acne.Reduces the appearance of cellulite.Helps reduce pain caused by rheumatism and arthritis.Improves blood circulation and pressure.Helps those suffering from insomnia.Can prevent the occurrence of colon cancer.Aids those who suffer from flatulence.Lemongrass Tea Recipe

Lemongrass tea is a favorite among those who love its lemony and strong flavor, that can be made using either fresh leaves from the plant, or dried ones as well. Here’s how you can make this simple tea recipe.

What You’ll Need:2 teaspoons of lemongrass leavesSieve1 mug of waterMethod of Preparation:

Keep the mug of hot water on the boil, and wait for it to bubble over before turning the gas off. Pour this back into the mug and drop in your lemongrass leaves, letting it stand in the hot water until it has been completely saturated with its yellow colored concentrate. Then, pour this through a sieve, and enjoy your refreshing herbal tea.

Women need to be careful when it comes to drinking herbal teas, since they do contain traces of caffeine which is strictly avoided during pregnancy. It is important to drink the safe herbal teas in small amounts, and to keep away from those that are harmful. They can cause miscarriages and other problems if taken in regular doses, so the key here to know which herbal teas are safe, and which are clearly not. Also now that you know how to make lemongrass tea, I suggest you drink this only after you are through with your pregnancy term and have passed that nursing stage. Have a safe tomorrow.

The method to make Lemongrass Tea

The lemon scented lemongrass is a multipurpose plant with several applications. This tropical, perennial grass grows well in outdoor garden as well as in containers. Lemongrass plant is widely used as a culinary herb, herbal medicine and also, for deterring mosquitoes naturally. And to reap the health benefits of lemongrass, you can use it for making tea, soups and a plethora of dishes. Here, we shall focus on benefits of having lemongrass tea, and how to make lemongrass tea at home.

Lemongrass Tea Benefits

Lemongrass has been associated with traditional healing since a long time. The active ingredients provide astringent, sedative, calming, diuretic, insecticidal, antimicrobial, antipyretic, carminative, galactagogue and antidepressant benefits. In simpler words, lemongrass tea is a natural diuretic and aids in removing excess fluid from the body. It relieves gas problem, aids in digestion, soothes stomach cramps, reduces acne outbreaks, minimizes infection risks and increases milk secretion in breastfeeding mothers. Drinking lemongrass tea is also beneficial to treat menstrual cramps and arthritis pain.

How to Make Lemongrass Tea?

Just by sipping lemongrass tea, you can enjoy the mild lemony ginger flavor and innumerable health benefits of this herb. And brewing a soothing lemongrass tea is very easy. All you need is to infuse this herb in boiling water for some time. If available, harvest fresh plant right from your garden or container to flavor tea. For those of you who cannot manage to get fresh plant, use dried lemongrass. Presented below are some easy recipes for lemongrass tea.

Lemongrass Tea Recipe ~ 1

Ingredients2 fresh lemongrass leaves1 cup boiling waterSweetening agent for taste (optional)Directions for Preparation

In case, you grow healthy lemongrass plant in your garden or pots, harvest 2 fresh leaves. Or else, purchase fresh lemongrass leaves from your local grocery center, and use 2 leaves. Rinse them under running tap to remove dust and dirt (if any). Using a pair of clean scissors, cut the leaves into ? inch length pieces. Add them in a tea pot or a mug. Pour boiling water over the pieces, cover lid and steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain lemongrass tea and, if desired, you can add sweetener before serving.

Lemongrass Tea Recipe ~ 2

Ingredients2 teaspoons dried lemongrass leaves1 cup boiling waterHoney or other sweetening agent (optional)Directions for Preparation

So, you want to make lemongrass tea using dried lemongrass leaves? Similar to the above tea recipe with fresh lemongrass leaves, boil a cup of water and keep it ready. Add 2 teaspoons dried leaves (already crushed) in a saucepan. To this, pour boiling water and cover lid. Leave this mixture for steeping, at least for 10-15 minutes to get best flavor. Using a strainer, strain lemongrass tea, and stir in honey or sugar. You can also add milk for making milk tea. Serve it hot.

Lemongrass Tea Recipe ~ 3

Ingredients? cup lemongrass leaves2 cups waterHoney for tasteDirections for Preparation

This method is for making cold lemongrass tea, which you will love having as a cool summertime drink. Instead of hot water, cold water is used in this recipe. Hence, you will need lemongrass in large amounts to enjoy a strong flavored tea. Clean fresh lemongrass leaves, and cut them into pieces with a pair of scissors. Add ? cup lemongrass in a large tea pot, and pour 2 cups water over it. Steep for half an hour or more, and serve with honey. Another method of enjoying cold tea is to pour hot lemongrass tea over crushed ice, and serve.

Well, this was all about how to make lemongrass tea. If you are having it for health aspects, reduce the use of processed sugar. Instead you can sweeten with a small amount of honey or molasses. To be on the safer side, avoid drinking excess lemongrass tea, as it is diuretic and therapeutic in action. While there are no major side effects of this herbal tea, too much of anything is harmful for health. So, keep these simple things in mind, and enjoy flavorful lemongrass tea regularly.

Lemongrass Tea Recipe

Lemongrass is sometimes referred to as a healing herb because of its medicinal properties, which is useful to cure fever, arthritis, stomach aches, digestion problems, headaches and many more similar health problems in a human body. Besides these lemongrass tea benefits, this plant has an excellent refreshing strong aroma, a light savory taste and believed to be the most used herb in any Asian dish. In the eastern region, the culture of making a lemongrass tea recipe in the mid afternoon and drinking it as a routine program has been going on since primitive times. Somehow, because of its high medicinal qualities and great taste, this trend recently has hit the westerners gravely. Many people have started growing lemongrass herbs in their gardens, so as to make it a part of their cooking on regular basis. Many others even try out fancy lemongrass tea recipes just to get a change in their ordinary tea. This idea sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Well, would you like to try some fancy lemongrass tea recipe for yourself too? This is the right place to catch on for some recipes.

How to Make Lemongrass Tea?

Making lemongrass tea from the lemongrass herb is an excellent way to reduce the risk of fever, to an extent arthritis and stomach cramps in a body. The tea can be drunk as per an individual’s wish. One can have it hot, cold or ice cold depending upon the mood and the climate. Some say lemongrass herb has some natural healing qualities too! So, if you have grown this herb in your garden or have seen it getting sold in the market couple of times, bring it home today and make a simple and yet an amazing cup of lemongrass tea for a sip!

IngredientsLemongrass plant (available lemongrass from market)Water (to boil)Tea cupKnifeStrainerSweetener and Milk (if desired)Method to Make the Tea

In the first step to prepare how to make lemongrass tea recipe, peel off the outer layer of the lemongrass leaves and throw it away. They are the leaves usually known to give a bitter taste. Hence, it’s best if they aren’t used. Once the peeling of the skin is done, cut the remaining left over lemongrass into fine slices. Now take a teapot filled with water and place it on the stove to boil. Add that boiling water to the finely chopped lemongrass plant and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes. Take a strainer and strain the tea into your cup. If required you can add some milk and a little sweetener to bring some savory taste to the simple tea. Make sure the tea is moderate in temperature whilst you drink it! While it’s hot, the flavors are known to come out really well.

Iced Lemongrass Tea Recipe

Ingredients? cup of lemongrass (2 tablespoons dried flakes or fresh tops)Teapot4 cups of water (boiled)Sugar (as per taste)Directions

Take a teapot and place it on the stove. Then take the ? cup of lemongrass and discard the first two tough layers which are on the outer part. Later slice them into thin rings. Next, add all these lemongrass into a teapot, cover it and leave it to boil. You can also add lemon slices for flavor. Steep it for 8 to 10 minutes and put it off the stove. Let cool until room temperature. Strain the lemongrass tea into a cup and allow it cool down for a while once again. Meanwhile add sugar to taste and mix it well. Once the tea is cooled completely, pour it in a tall glass, fill it with ice and drink it. That’s how you can have an iced lemongrass tea on a hot summer day!

Double Lemongrass Iced Tea Recipe

IngredientsBasic Simple Syrup10 lemongrass stalks (6 stalks crushed and chopped and 2 stalks halved lengthwise & crosswise)8 cups water (cold)8 white tea bagsIce cubesDirections

To prepare the base of the tea in the most common way, add the half chopped lemongrass to the teapot and bring the entire content to boil. Later remove it from the stove and steep it for about 20 – 30 minutes. Once it’s cool, strain the lemongrass syrup into a cup and keep aside.

After the above directions are performed, take a large saucepan and heat it. Add some chopped lemongrass along with cold water into it and bring it to boil. Once it’s boiled for sometime, keep the mixture aside for about 1 hour. Again, keep the lemongrass tea back on the stove and bring it to boil once again. Immediately remove it from the heat and add the 8 white tea bags into the mixture and steep it for about 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags from the lemongrass syrup and allow everything to cool down until it reaches a room temperature. Once you see it reaching the room temperature, transfer the whole mixture to a nice big bowl and keep it in the refrigerator until completely chilled. After a while, remove the pitcher full of lemongrass tea, add ? cup of lemongrass syrup to it for taste and stir it. Serve in a tall glass filled with ice and if you want to garnish the tea with lemongrass stalk. The mixture of two lemongrass recipes gives you a ‘double iced lemongrass tea on the rocks!’

Lemongrass and Ginger Iced Tea

Ingredients? cup of sugar (honey)Stalk of lemongrass (cut into 2-inch lengths)Fresh GingerGreen tea bagsDirections

First step is to rinse the lemongrass and chop it into 2” in length. With the flat side of the knife crush the lemons properly. This will give out more taste and flavor during steeping. Now take a teapot and add 5 cups of water to it, ? cup of sugar, lemongrass and lastly 7 fine chopped slices of ginger to the pot. Bring all this to boil. Once it boils, take it off the stove and add 5 bags of green tea to it. Steep it for about 5 minutes until the flavor is released (the steeping depends on how strong you wish the tea to be). Immediately discard the tea bags and let the tea cool down for about 30 minutes. After a while, pour the entire mixture into a pitcher and keep the pitcher to refrigerate for about 2 hours. After a few hours drink this tasty ginger lemongrass tea recipe by pouring it into a fine tall glass filled with ice and enjoy it!

Lemongrass Iced Tea – Cambodian Recipe

This is an authentic recipe which comes all the way from Senteurs D’Angkor, a company selling foods and spices. This lemongrass tea is refreshing and tasty to serve and drink on a hot Cambodian day!

Ingredients? liter of water1 tablespoon of ground lemongrass10 limes200 grams of sugar (optional)Ice cubes4 bags of black tea1 small bunch of corianderDirections

Take a large saucepan and add the measured amount of water and desired amount of sugar to it and bring it to boil. Next add lemongrass and the juice of 8 limes to the pan and simmer it for about 5 minutes. Then turn off the stove and instill the black tea to the whole content. Strain the mixture and keep for cooling. Meanwhile the fantastic Cambodian tea cools down, take a container or a shaker filled with ice cubes and add the lemongrass tea to it. Shake the entire mixture vigorously for a good 30 seconds and serve chill. For extra decorations, you can add chops of coriander and slices of lime to the tea.

After reading some of these refreshing and tangy lemongrass tea recipes in this article, I am sure you are going to try all of them one-by-one everyday. Lemongrass plant has been expended by the people of Asia, Thai, Malaysia, India and most of the east and middle east countries for ages. This tea is altered and consumed in several different ways, like some add ginger, while some add mint. But however the ways are, the flavor of this herb would boost you up anytime of the day!

Lemongrass Tea Wellness Rewards

The scientific name of lemongrass is Cymbopogon. This herb is native to India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asian countries. It can be identified with its tall, striped leaves with a fresh lemon-citrus fragrance. Lemongrass tea is available in the form of tea bags that consist of dried lemongrass leaves. Lemongrass tea is a rich source of nutritious substances: vitamin A, C and folate, minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium and a good amount of fatty acids. Lemongrass tea health benefits are mainly owing to all these nutritional components.

Health Benefits of Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass tea is good for the digestive system. It contains an active ingredient named Citral which helps in digestion of food. Thus it can be used for treating common gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, nausea, stomach cramps, etc.

Lemongrass tea is highly beneficial for the nervous system. It makes the nerves stronger and keeps them active and healthy. For this reason, it is used for treating various disorders related to the nervous system such as vertigo, shaky limbs, lack of reflexes, Alzheimer?s disease, Parkinson?s disease and so on. If taken regularly, lemongrass tea can prevent all these diseases.

Research studies have found that lemongrass has excellent cancer fighting properties. The component citral present in lemongrass tea activates the apoptosis mechanism of the cancerous cells. As a result, these malignant cells start destroying themselves which is also referred to as cell suicide. The most amazing thing is that none of the healthy, normal cells are damaged in the process.

If you are trying to lose some weight, you can use lemongrass tea for this purpose. It has diuretic properties that increase the frequency of urination. Almost, four percent of the total volume of the urine consists of fat. As a result, large amount of fat is eliminated due to frequent urination. In the process, it will also remove unwanted water weight build up in the body. This way you will be able to reduce a few more extra pounds from your body every week.

Another benefit of the diuretic effect of lemongrass tea is that it can act as a detoxifying agent. It can be used for cleansing up various internal organs of the body that include kidneys, urinary bladder, liver and of course, the digestive tract. It also facilitates elimination of toxins like uric acid and cholesterol from the body.

Lemongrass tea brings about improvement in the overall skin condition. Its anti-microbial properties can fight off the bacterial infection on skin surface which causes pimples and acne. Moreover, its astringent qualities reduce the size of the skin pores and make the skin look healthy.

This herbal tea can cure insomnia and various other types of sleep disorders. This is possible because it has a calming effect on the mind and the body, and relieves the underlying tension and anxiety which often makes it difficult for us to fall asleep. So, a cup of lemongrass tea before going to bed can give you a sound sleep at night.

Lemongrass tea is highly effective for bringing down high fever as it increases perspiration which in turn helps to cool down the body. Moreover, it also fights the infection that triggers the fever. It works as an analgesic and alleviates pain and inflammation. So, it is used for treating various forms of body pain including arthritic joint pain, headache and sports injuries.

How to Make Lemongrass Tea?

Now that you are aware of the lemongrass tea health benefits, the next thing that you must know is how to prepare it, which is quite a simple process. Pour one cup of boiling water into one tablespoon of dried lemongrass leaves. Cover it up and let it soak for the next 5 minutes. If you have lemongrass in your kitchen garden, then you can take a few fresh leaves from your garden, chop them into small pieces and steep them in a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes. After that, strain out the liquid and your herbal tea is ready. Add one teaspoon of honey to it as sweetener before you take the first sip. Alternately, some people prefer to add milk and sugar to it. You can drink it hot or add an ice cube and have it as an iced tea. You can take up to four cups of this tea daily. It can be taken soon after meals or before bedtime.

There are no known side effects of lemongrass tea. However, pregnant women should avoid taking this tea as there is no conclusive evidence whether it is safe for them or not. Those of you who have any existing underlying health problem must ask your doctor first before taking the tea. While purchasing the tea, make sure that you read its label carefully to ensure that it contains pure lemongrass only. This is because this herb tends to react adversely when it is combined with some other additives.

Is Lemongrass Tea Safe All through Pregnancy?

During pregnancy you have to be careful about your diet and you should be well informed about the herbs that are to be avoided. Lemongrass tea, although known for its health benefits, can pose health hazards to pregnant women. Before analyzing the topic is lemongrass tea safe during pregnancy, we shall present you some facts about this herb.

Lemongrass, scientifically known as Cymbopogon, is native to Brazil but is widely cultivated across Asia and the US as well. The tea is known for its body cleansing and antimicrobial properties. Lemongrass tea induces sleep naturally and it’s an excellent remedy for digestive tract disorders, nausea and menstrual cramps. It’s also capable of lowering high blood pressure and high blood glucose. Despite possessing so many health benefits, drinking lemongrass tea is not safe during pregnancy.

Why is Lemongrass Tea Not Safe During Pregnancy

You have already got the answer to the question, ‘is lemongrass tea safe during pregnancy’. But why is it not safe? Here’s the explanation for this. Lemongrass tea should never be consumed as a detox tea during pregnancy. The herb has reverse effects on body and it might give rise to toxic effects in body. The chemical beta-myrcene present in the herb hinders normal development of the fetus. If you are used to drinking lemon grass everyday, then you need to stop it during your gestation period. Consuming high doses of lemongrass tea might cause severe retardation in growth of the fetus. From these facts you can see that lemongrass tea is basically detrimental to health of the developing fetus. Your baby might also be born underweight if you have consumed lemongrass tea excessively during pregnancy. Statistical reports have also shown that perinatal mortality rates are considerably high owing to excessive consumption of lemongrass tea. You also need to restrict drinking lemongrass tea while breastfeeding your baby.

Women who suffer from low blood pressure during their pregnancy must completely avoid lemongrass tea. The herb, although known for its blood pressure alleviating properties, should be restricted completely when you are under medication. It interferes with other medicines and your blood pressure might fall much below normal levels. Similar effects become evident in your body when your blood glucose level is high. You have to be much more cautious regarding this while being under external dosage of insulin or any other types of medication for diabetes and thyroid gland disorders. Risks of developing hypoglycemia are high due to consumption of large amounts of lemongrass tea everyday. The pathway of the enzyme cytochrome P450, that catalyzes oxidation of various types of organic substances in our body, is severely hampered due to excessive consumption of lemongrass tea during pregnancy. This further leads to complications in kidney and liver of expectant mothers.

Lemongrass tea side effects become dangerous when you continue drinking the tea throughout your gestation period. Thus, you should be aware of the herbs that are safe during pregnancy and those that are not. Some other herbs that are more likely to pose a threat to you and your baby are anise, rosemary, mugwort, horehound, vetiver, yarrow, licorice, fennel, catnip, comfrey, woodruff, coca lobelia, etc. All these herbs contain certain chemical compounds that are detrimental to the health of pregnant women. Apart from this, you should also be careful while applying lemongrass oil on your skin. Stop using lemongrass oil if you have experienced allergy and irritation on your skin.

From the explanation provided in the content above, I’m sure the side effects of lemongrass tea during pregnancy are clear to you. To be on the safe side, you must consult your doctor before consuming any type of herbal supplements during pregnancy. Taking any kind of risk during pregnancy is definitely not something wise. If you are intensely fond of herbal teas, then have ginger tea, red clover, and thyme instead of lemongrass tea.

Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass is a native of South East Asia and Africa. Cymbopogon, as it is botanically called, this plant belongs to the grass family. Since the ancient times, lemongrass has widely been used in Indian cuisine. Lemongrass oil has been used for its zesty flavor and medicinal properties. However, in recent times, lemongrass tea has gained immense popularity among westerners for its medicinal properties. This tall perennial grass is easy to grow, which is why you can make it a regular kitchen garden plant. Let’s see what are the benefits of lemongrass tea.

Benefits of Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass has been used in South Asian cooking since a long time. It is known to have a calming effect on the body, thereby helps in inducing sleep and curing insomnia. Lemongrass is also anti-bacterial and anti-fungal in nature, which makes it an effective remedy for a wide variety of complaints. Lemongrass tea, provides relief from nausea, severe menstrual cramps and acts as a diuretic too. Lemongrass tea health benefits are, detoxification of liver, pancreas, kidneys, bladder and the digestive tract. Lemongrass tea also helps in maintaining normal cholesterol levels in the body, toxins, excess fats and improves digestion. Lemongrass also finds a place in Ayurvedic medicine for its innumerable properties, relieving common cold and cough being the famous ones. Read more on lemongrass oil uses.

Lemongrass tea has been an ancient remedy for curing chest congestion, colds and coughs. A concoction, called as, ‘kadha’ is given to the patient to help him get rid of the common cold. Also, if you add a dash of pepper to lemongrass tea, it will help you ease all menstrual problems like cramps and nausea. Interestingly, lemongrass tea benefits in acne prevention and in dealing with other skin problems too. Studies have shown drinking lemongrass tea on a regular basis, prevents the skin from developing any acne or pimples. This is true, as acne is a result of bacteria, and the anti-bacterial nature of the tea, helps the skin to look good and feel good.

How to Make Lemongrass Tea

IngredientsClumps of lemongrassWater, 1 cupMilk, if desiredSugar or honey, as per tasteStrainerMethodPeel the outer layer of the leaves and discard them. The outer layers, will give your tea a bitter taste. Boil the water and add the clumps of peeled leaves to it.Let the water boil on a slow heat for around twenty minutes. This extracts all the essence of the leaves.Add the sweetener and boil it for another 5 minutes. If you want, you can add some milk at this point.Remove from the stove, strain it in a cup and drink it hot.You can also serve iced lemongrass tea. Go along with the suggested lemongrass tea recipe, let it cool and serve it with ice. If you are making it iced lemongrass tea, refrain from adding milk.

Lemongrass Tea Side Effects

Avoid drinking lemongrass tea in excess and make sure that it’s a real herb and not some hoax. Say, if you have been drinking lemongrass tea for 10 days, skip 5 days. If you are suffering from any ailment, make sure you consult a doctor, before you start consuming this herbal tea. In case, you feel any side effect after drinking this tea, immediately stop taking it. Also, lemongrass tea during pregnancy isn’t a good idea, so avoid completely.

There is a plethora of lemongrass tea uses. This folk medicine has to have some truth, since it’s been used for so many years. To make a start, combat the cold, with a cuppa lemongrass tea.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a great herb to add to your dishes, it is a very popular herb used in Asia for cooking, especially in Thai food. Lemongrass has strong and fresh lemony aroma, and gives a light and refreshing taste with a hint of ginger. You can find this herb in a plant nursery or buy the herb in ethnic markets for cooking. You can even plant the herb around your house, and it will act as a natural bug repellent, or use fresh stalk for making oriental dishes. However, it is important to understand the difference between lemongrass and grass which belongs to the same family. Here is information on types of lemongrass plant.

All About Lemongrass

Types of Popular Lemongrass Plants
There is a bit of confusion between lemongrass, citronella and other types of lemongrass. Lemongrass is actually a group of 55 grasses, and the name of genus is Cymbopogon. While, commonly referred to lemongrass is actually a type of plant belonging to the family which has scientific name – Cymbopogon citratus. It is sometimes confused with citronella plant, which belongs to the same family but has a different aroma than lemongrass (C. citratus). This is so because citronella plant blade look similar, however people who are growing lemongrass plants and citronella, or are into aromatherapy, know the difference. If you look closely you will find blades of lemongrass more sleeker, also the pseudostems of citronella plant is red, while lemongrass is green in color.

Lemongrass for Cooking
Lemongrass is widely used in cooking. It is used for making many Thai food recipes. It is also known as Thai lemongrass, and the stalk or stem is chopped and used for cooking soups, salads, stir fried dishes, pickles, etc. It forms an important ingredient in Thai food.

In India lemongrass is used to make tea, and hence in India it is also called as ‘Gavati Chaha’ which means tea made using grass. Lemongrass tea has a refreshing taste and aroma. It is also used for making herbal soups that helps to cure colds and coughs. It is extensively used in ancient Indian Ayurveda, to make herbal medicines, that help to get rid of cough and nasal congestion.

How to Buy Lemongrass
If you wish to buy lemongrass for cooking, then you can find it in ethnic Mexican or Asian markets. Pick fresh looking stalks, which don’t look dry or brittle. You will find lemongrass sold in bungles of two or three stalks. The stalks can be chopped and used to flavor dishes, while the grass part can be used in teas. You can store lemongrass in zip pouch bag for 3 weeks, or freeze it and store it for 6 months use. The flavor will still be retained. You can also find dried or powdered lemongrass, which you can use as a substitute for fresh lemongrass. Lemongrass herb powder is great for making gravy recipes or teas.

Lemongrass Oil Uses
Lemongrass oil is a practical way of using this herb, if you can’t store the fresh herb. Oil of lemongrass benefits in many ways. It makes an excellent natural mosquito repellent. It is also antiseptic and antibiotic, and can be used to clean wounds. It is also used in aromatherapy because it is stimulating, antidepressant, analgesic and refreshing. It’s smell is strong but sweeter than lemon essential oil. You can use it as a deodorant, or add it to steaming water and inhale the vapors to clear sore throat. You can also add few drops of lemongrass near your bed and it will act keep the bugs away.

This was all about lemongrass herb and many lemongrass oil uses. So try a simple salad or soup recipe using fresh lemongrass stalk, to enjoy the taste of this herb. Or use lemongrass essential oil for aromatherapy. Or carry it as a natural bug repellent when traveling, and enjoy the aroma of this herb.

Lemongrass Plant

Lemongrass is commonly used as a culinary herb, especially in Asian cuisines. It imparts a strong flavor resembling that of citrus or lemon, hence the name. In traditional medicine, lemongrass plant parts have been used as a remedy to combat several health problems. What’s more, it is one of the best mosquito repellent plants. Grow this multipurpose plant and you can enjoy all the benefits of this useful grass.

How to Grow Lemongrass Plant

Although lemongrass plant is used as a flavoring herb in many recipes, it is not available in grocery stores throughout the year. If you are fond of this culinary plant, consider planting it on your own. A tropical grass by origin, the plant is very hardy and grows to about 3 feet at maturity. Even a novice hobbyist without a green thumb will succeed in maintaining lemongrass plant. Following are some easy gardening tips on how to plant lemongrass.

Lemongrass Propagation
In its natural habitat, lemongrass plant grows in clumps. And propagation is done by separating the clumps into smaller sections, ensuring that the root system is not damaged. The separated plants are used for propagation. Available in all garden centers, you can purchase healthy lemongrass plants from your local nursery.

Purchase Lemongrass Stalks
Another cost effective way is to grow lemongrass from the stalks sold in grocery markets. For this, purchase fresh and healthy stalks. Trim off the long foliage and secondary roots (if present), while keeping the rhizome intact. Place the slips in water near a sunny window, and you will see development of roots within 7-10 days.

Choose Planting Area
When the lemongrass stalks are kept for rooting, select and prepare the planting site. Lemongrass grows best both as a kitchen plant and outdoor plant. So, you can grow it around the house, preferably in the vicinity and also, as a part of indoor gardening. Being a tropical grass variety, it can adapt in any type of garden soil and potting media.

Lemongrass Planting
As per your convenience, transplant lemongrass, when the roots are of 1-2 inch length. You can plant directly in garden soil or in a container filled with regular potting mix. In both cases, your lemongrass plants will grow luxuriantly, as long as the required growth conditions are maintained properly. In case of growing in garden soil, you will need to plant lemongrass in areas that are exposed to sunlight.

Lemongrass Plant Care
The care tips for lemongrass herbs are very easy. All you need is to keep the potted plants in partial shade or full sunlight conditions. Correct watering is another important tip for maintenance of healthy lemongrass plants. Water the garden plants or potted plants regularly and keep the soil moist, but not soggy. If you are residing in a cold region, you will need to protect them from extreme cold temperatures.

Lemongrass Harvesting
Within 2 months of plantation or after 60 days, you can start harvesting your lemongrass plants. Separate a part of the clump and cut the plants at the base. If required, trim them to about 8 inch height for conserving nutrients. Once planted, a lemongrass plant grows and bears healthy leaves for many years. You can think of replanting it after every 4-5 years.

This was all about growing and maintaining a healthy lemongrass plant. Mosquito repellent property of this plant will help in controlling and driving away these nasty insects. Also, learn how to make lemongrass tea and enjoy it as a refreshing drink. It helps alleviate fever symptoms, arthritis pain and stomach cramps in the natural way.

Lemongrass Soup Recipe

Lemongrass is a multipurpose herb, used in culinary and medicinal applications. This tropical grass is widely known for its rich citrus scent. Lemongrass plant itself is not consumed directly, but it is added to add flavor to dishes. So, either you can remove it after cooking, or retain in dishes at the time of serving. While trying the best lemongrass soup recipe, make sure that you peel off the outside leaves and smash the stalk a little. This will impart a rich lemon flavor to your soup. Following are some easy lemongrass soup recipes that you can try making at home.

Corn and Lemongrass Soup Recipe

Ingredients5 cups water1 large onion, chopped1 fresh lemongrass stalk4 cups butternut squash, peeled, cubed, seeded2 ? cups fresh corn kernelsSalt and pepper for tasteDirections for Preparation

This vegetarian lemongrass soup recipe requires simple ingredients. While preparing lemongrass, you can trim off the root section and remove the outer leaves. Crush the stalk with a large knife, and cut into larger pieces. In a soup pot, cook lemongrass and onions with some water for 10 minutes over low heat setting, until onion becomes soft. Add remaining water, squash, corn and seasoning spices. Adjust heat setting to high, and bring the soup mixture to a boiling temperature. Then, cover lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes, or till squash can be mashed easily. Remove lemongrass and make a puree. If required, reheat soup before serving.

Coconut Lemongrass Soup Recipe

Ingredients2 cans coconut milk2 stalks of lemongrass, peeled and sliced into ? cm pieces2 cloves garlic, minced3 lime leaves, torn into 3 pieces1 red pepper, cut into pieces? jalapeno1 block firm tofu2 carrots, peeled and sliced2 small zucchini, peeled and sliced1 can button mushrooms, drained and washedJuice of 1 limeSea salt for seasoningDirections for Preparation

Take a large soup pot, and add coconut milk, lemongrass, garlic, lime leaves. Heat till the mixture starts boiling. Then, stir in the remaining ingredients (except salt and lime juice) – red pepper, jalepeno, tofu, carrot, zucchini and mushroom. Cook in medium low heat for 30 – 40 minutes. Add lime juice and salt as per your taste. If desired, you can add hoisin sauce to spice up your lemongrass soup. Before serving it, discard lemongrass.

Lemongrass Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients2 large lemongrass stalks, peeled and cut into 4 inch pieces3 cups chicken broth? cup sliced button mushrooms1/8 teaspoon cracked black pepper? cup cooked chicken breast, cut into pieces6 thin fresh asparagus spears, cut upSalt for taste2 green onions, thinly slicedFresh cilantro leavesDirections for Preparation

For this lemongrass soup recipe, first prepare lemongrass stalks by cutting lengthwise and tying with a cotton string. This way, you can remove them easily at the time of serving. In a cooking pan, add lemongrass, chicken broth, mushroom and pepper. Heat this mixture till boiling, and reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, and discard lemongrass bundle. To the pan, add chicken pieces, asparagus and salt. Cook over low heat for 3 – 4 minutes, until asparagus turn crispy and tender. Remove lemongrass soup from heat, and add spring onions. While serving in soup bowls, you can top with fresh cilantro or basil leaves.

Lemongrass Soup with Shrimp Recipe

Ingredients4 cups water1 stick lemongrass, crushed and cut into 1 inch pieces4 lemon leaves, torn into 3 pieces1 inch ginger root, thinly sliced1 teaspoon sugar3 tablespoons fish sauce1 teaspoons chili powder2 fresh hot chilies, crushed and halved2 ounces button mushrooms, quartered16 medium to large shrimps, shelled and deveined3 tablespoons lime juiceFresh cilantro leaves for garnishingDirections for Preparation

To start with this soup recipe, heat 4 cups water in a large soup pot and bring it to a rolling boil. Then add lemongrass, lemon leaves and ginger. Boil for 2 minutes over high heat. Add sugar, fish sauce, chili powder, fresh chili, mushrooms, and cook for 4 minutes. Lower heat to medium high and add shrimps along with the lime juice. Boil for 2 minutes, or until shrimps turn springy and whitish in color. Spoon into individual soup bowls, decorate with cilantro leaves and serve hot.

If you crave for seafood, this lemongrass soup recipe with shrimps is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Basically a Thai food, it brings the richness of fresh herbs, lemongrass, lemon leaves, ginger and cilantro together in one dish. With so many recipes for lemongrass soup, each time you can try a different one to complement the meal menu, and enjoy the benefits of this wonderful herb.

Rewards of Lemongrass

Lemongrass is one of the important element of Asian and Caribbean cuisine. There exist several varieties of lemon grass but Cymbopogon citratus is the pungent and aromatic grass that is used for cooking. Lemongrass is a popular herbal medicine which is commonly used to treat ‘cough and cold’ in India and other Asian countries. Lemongrass is an invariable part of Thai food. Here is an overview of health benefits of lemongrasss.

Health Benefits of Lemongrass

Lemongrass tea is known for its refreshing aroma and taste. This tea from the eastern world has gained immense popularity among westerners for its medicinal properties. Lemongrass carries anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties which are useful in treating various skin conditions. Here is a list of uses and benefits of lemongrass plant.’Detoxification of liver, pancreas, kidneys, bladder and the entire digestive tract’ is one of the important benefits of lemongrass tea.Lemongrass tea helps relieve nausea and severe menstrual cramps.The tea acts as a diuretic as well.The tea helps maintain normal cholesterol levels in the body.It promotes removal of toxins and excessive fat from the body.The tea helps improve digestive health and in turn the overall health.Lemongrass tea helps relieve common cough and cold. It helps relieve nasal and chest congestion.Regular intake of lemongrass tea helps prevent acne and other skin problems.Lemongrass is used to manufacture herbal soaps, lotions, perfumes and deodorants.Since everyone cannot get the fresh herb, lemongrass essential oil is used in several ways, as it also carries medicinal properties.Lemongrass oil is used in aroma therapy as it comes with a light and fresh citrus fragrance.Benefits of lemongrass essential oil are attributed to its analgesic, anti-bacterial, carminative (relieves gas), deodorizing, febrifuge (alleviating fever), fungicidal, antiseptic, antidepressant, astringent, diuretic, galactagogue, insecticidal, antipyretic (alleviating fever), antimicrobial and sedative properties.Lemongrass oil helps calm and relax the muscles. It works great for jet lag and stress.One of the significant lemongrass oil uses is that it helps relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety and panic attacks.It is used to treat edema (because of diuretic property), gas and acidity.It improves digestive health by relieving constipation.It helps prevent internal as well as external infections.Use of lemongrass oil helps prevent excessive sweating and body odor.Experts believe that lemongrass kills cancer cells without destroying healthy cells. But more research is needed to prove this.The oil carries analgesic and sedative properties. So it offers relief from headaches, migraines, menstrual cramps and muscle strains.Lemongrass oil helps soothe broken or inflamed skin. When applied topically, it speeds up the process of blood clotting and helps prevent excessive loss of blood.Lemongrass oil carries astringent properties. It therefore encourages contraction of gums, hair follicles, muscles, skin and blood vessels. In this way it helps prevent loosening and fall of teeth and hair. It helps maintain flow of blood through vessels. You can thus reap the benefits of lemongrass for hair. Regular use of lemongrass can help lower the cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation.Lemongrass uses also include use of lemongrass oil as an insecticide, disinfectant and household cleaning and deodorizing agent. You can put some drops of oil in an oil burner or vaporizer, and it will work as a refreshing room deodorizer. When applied on pet’s coat, it helps prevent fleas and ticks. Citronellal in the oil makes it a good insect repellent. The oil also works as an effective mosquito repellent and a food preservative. I hope you found benefits of lemongrass described in this article helpful. Lemongrass is commonly available and easy to grow, even in a small pot. So, bring home a lemongrass pot or get a bottle of lemongrass oil and enjoy the benefits.