Lemon Grass Tea

As usual I always try to plant lemon grass, turmeric and ginger before the fasting month so that by the time Eid arrives, the plants are ready to be plucked. Normally it is difficult to get the supply of these fresh ingredients during festive periods. And if you succeed in getting them, the price is a few times more than usual.


Recently I bought a bunch of lemon grass for RM1.50. There were about 30 stalks tied in 3 plants per bundle. That was cheap. I have planted 15 stalks and keep the rest for use in my cooking.

What was left after planting

Not wanting to waste by throwing the leaves to my compost heap directly, I cut the leaves into about 5cm pieces and boiled in water. The boiling was done for about half an hour, replacing the water as it dried. The resultant tea was obtained by straining the leaves. When cool, the leaves went into my compost.

Lemon grass is extensively used as a culinary ingredient in South East Asia, especially in Malaysia and Thailand. It makes an exquisite flavor to curries and gravies as it helps to remove the fishy smell of fish and meaty smell of meat.

I have tried lemon grass tea before but never tried to make my own.

Lemon grass has a place in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for its innumerable properties.

Lemon grass tea has gained immense popularity among Westerners for its medicinal properties.

The leaves were cut into strips before placing in a pot of water.

I am told that the tea is naturally caffeine free, has anti- bacterial and anti-fungal properties; calming effect, and provides a remedy for various maladies:

Induces sleep and cures insomnia.

Prevents acne and other skin problems.


Maintains normal cholesterol levels in the body.

Lemon grass promotes digestion of food and gives relief from gastroenteritis. It is also an ideal remedy for those who have flatulence. It allows the muscles in the abdominal region to relax and release gas. Relieves nausea and severe menstrual cramps.


Detoxifies liver, pancreas, kidneys, bladder and the digestive tract. Lemon grass herb contains citral that acts as a diuretic that detoxifies the body by increasing the quantity and frequency of urination. This helps to clean the kidney, liver, pancreas, digestive tract, bladder etc and removes unwanted toxic substances through the urine.


Removal of uric acid and toxic substances from the body and lemon grass helps to lose weight.


Being a detoxifier, lemon grass contains citral that removes excess cholesterol, uric acid, toxins and fats from the body. This stimulates blood circulation throughout the body. Drinking a glass of lemon grass herbal tea everyday helps to reduce blood pressure.




Stimulates blood circulation; enhances immune system against flu, coughs and colds. Relieves fever.


Rich in citral which inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Eases arthritic pain.

Although I drink the lemon grass tea without sugar, as I do with all my teas; you may like to add sugar as in the following recipes:

How to Make Lemon Grass Tea

Ingredients

• Clumps of lemon grass

• Water, 1 cup

• Milk, if desired

• Sugar or honey, as per taste

• Strainer

Method

• Peel 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 lemon grass tea. Go along with the suggested lemon grass tea recipe, let it cool and serve it with ice. If you are making it iced lemon grass tea, refrain from adding milk.

Lemongrass Tea Side Effects

You are not advised to drink lemon grass tea in excess continuously. Drink for a few days intermittently. If you have been drinking lemon grass tea for 5 days, skip 5 days before you start drinking again. Consult a health practitioner if you are suffering from any ailment, before you start consuming this herbal tea. In case, you feel any side effect after drinking this tea, stop consuming it IMMEDIATELY. 

Compare the above with Amy Beh's lemon grass tea:

Ingredients


• 10 stalks lemongrass, chopped

• 3 screwpine leaves, knotted

• 1,875ml (or 7½ cups) water

• 200g rock sugar

• 1 lemon, squeezed for juice

Method

Place lemongrass in a food processor. Add 100ml water and blend into a pulpy juice. Combine the blended lemongrass with water and pandan leaves in a pot. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain and add rock sugar, reboil and simmer until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice.

To serve: Pour lemongrass tea into individual glass, add a slice of lemon and serve either hot or add some ice cubes over.