There are few things more heavenly than the scent of hot lemongrass tea. It’s delicious iced, too, and you might be surprised to learn that drinking lemongrass tea goes well beyond its taste and aroma.
It has an amazing number of health benefits, both for your bones and overall health, all backed by scientific research.
So if you have it on hand, go ahead and grab a cup of lemongrass tea and enjoy today’s post on this fragrant topic!
Some Facts About Lemongrass
Lemongrass is one of the “lemon herbs,” an unofficial class of herbs that gardeners and herbalists like to group together for their lemony scent. But while they produce similar scents from shared compounds such as citral, herbs like lemon verbena, lemon thyme, and lemon balm are distinct from each other and from lemongrass.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) has long, grass-like leaves reminiscent of sea grasses. It’s native to India and the tropical regions of Asia, and it can grow up to nine feet tall. When grown in temperate regions, it typically stays under five feet. Lemongrass is commonly used in the cuisines of East Asian countries, such as Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
When used in stir-fries and salads, the bottom few inches of the grass are used. For brewing tea, as we’re going to discuss today, the main stalk is used, crushed with the side of a large knife and cut into one- to two-inch pieces. And it’s also available in convenient tea bags, of course.
As we explore the health benefits of this delicious tea, I’d like to begin with the specific ways that lemongrass, which is alkalizing, is good for your bones.
Bone Health Benefits Of Lemongrass
1. Fights Insomnia
Did you know that quality sleep is important for your bone health? A great deal of bone remodeling takes place during sleep, and if you’re not sleeping well, your bones can suffer for it. Lemongrass tea can help you get the bone-building sleep you need, as noted in the following study.
When lemongrass essential oil was given to mice, researchers found an increase in sleeping time as well as an anticonvulsive effect on induced seizures.
The study, which refers to the folk use of lemongrass over the centuries, concludes that:
“Our results are in accord with the ethnopharmacological use of Cymbopogon citrates.”1
The study ends with the charge to assess lemongrass for its anti-anxiety, sedative, and anticonvulsant effects.
A cup of lemongrass tea between dinner and bedtime may be just the thing to help you sleep. In addition, alkalizing lemongrass helps you to avoid sleeping pills, which are not only acidifying, but have their own extensive lists of dangerous side effects.
And finally, lemongrass is full of potassium, which helps in the muscle relaxation process that makes for quality sleep.
2. Offers Potent Antioxidant Activity
Lemongrass tea contains antioxidants that scavenge for free radicals, protecting your bones from oxidative damage. Scientists measured the effects of lemongrass on free radicals in a 2005 study, identifying at least eight antioxidant components that had a significant antioxidant effect.2
Chances are your doctor never mentioned antioxidants when he or she discussed osteoporosis with you. But the research continues to back up the connection between antioxidants and bone health, and lemongrass tea is a fantastic way to add more of these important substances to your diet.
3. Effectively Relieves Joint Pain
Lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, analgesic properties. Its sedative effect, noted above, plays into its ability to relax muscles and ease spasms. In addition, lemongrass eases joint pain through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme that is involved in the inflammatory process. It’s known to cause pain, particularly in the joints.
A 2010 study confirmed lemongrass’ ability to suppress this pain-causing enzyme, shedding light on the mechanism by which lemongrass accomplishes this, confirming that:
“…COX-2 promoter activity was suppressed by lemongrass oil in cell-based transfection assays.”3
The study goes on to point out that citral, a key component of lemongrass, is “a major component in the suppression of COX-2 expression…”3
Keeping COX-2 from “running amok” is a very important aspect in relieving joint pain. That’s why drugs for arthritis, rheumatism, gout, and other joint conditions contain COX-2 inhibitors. But NSAIDs damage bone and can have disastrous side effects, while lemongrass avoids all of that. Not only is it alkalizing, but it has an excellent safety record.
And as you’ll read next, lemongrass’ benefits go beyond bone health.
Whole-Body Benefits Of Lemongrass
This remarkable herb has benefits for your whole body. It even has anti-cancer effects.
4. Lowers Blood Glucose
A water extract of fresh lemongrass leaves was found to lower the fasting glucose level of rats who were fed the extract, and it also lowered lipoproteins (low and very low density), and triglycerides. Researchers noted that the study confirms lemongrass’ “folkloric use and safety in suspected Type 2 diabetic patients.”4
5. Lowers Cholesterol
This herb also has been shown to lower cholesterol. Lemongrass has such a stellar safety record that human trials can be performed, such as this one where 140mg capsules of lemongrass oil were given to a small group of people for 90 days. The participants were put into two groups, and their cholesterol levels checked at 30, 60, and 90 days. The lemongrass group showed distinctly lower cholesterol levels than the control group, with a progressively greater benefit after each test.5
6. Prevents Cancer
Lemongrass shows promising anti-cancer properties, rooted in its ability to stop cellular mutations. Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that lemongrass staves off cancer.
One study investigated the antimutagenic activity of lemongrass against chemically-induced mutations in various strains of Salmonella bacteria, and the results clearly showed inhibition of eight different mutagenic factors.6
In research involving rats, scientists found that lemongrass extract:
“…inhibits the release of activated aglycon, methylazoxymethanol, from a glucuronide conjugate in the colon, and decreases the DNA adducts and ACF formation in the rat colon.”7
DNA adducts are bits of RNA that have bonded ionically to a carcinogen, and are considered precancerous cells. ACF, or aberrant crypt foci, are abnormal, tube-like structures that line the colon and rectum, and they are also considered an early indication of cancer.
Additionally, lemongrass shows promise in skin cancer prevention. Specifically, the citral in lemongrass was shown to induce the production of GST, or glutathione S-transferase, one of a group of enzymes that has a unique ability as far as the formation of glutathione (the Master Antioxidant) goes. After donating a free radical, glutathione is then conjugated by GST into a detoxifying substance once again.
Researchers studied this fascinating aspect of lemongrass on mouse skin, revealing the citral-induced antioxidant role of GST and “a new insight into skin cancer prevention.”8
Drink Up!
While some of the studies used lemongrass extract, the point of the studies is the identification of active constituents in lemongrass, and their mechanism of action. Drinking lemongrass tea is clearly a healthy thing to do, both for your bones and your whole body.
If you decide to make your own lemongrass tea, there may be some confusion regarding citronella, a popular, natural mosquito repellent. Citronella can be derived from lemongrass, or it could refer to a separate plant altogether (Cymbopogon nardus). So for tea-drinking, make sure you get lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates).
The Simplicity Of A Cup Of Tea
I love how simple and pleasurable it is to apply evidence-backed principles of natural health. From brewing a cup of tea to knowing which foods to eat and to avoid, and so much more.
But the Medical Establishment wants you to believe that reversing bone loss and staying healthy is impossible without drugs and other complicated factors; they make it out to be a complex “monster” when really, osteoporosis is a physical manifestation of a systemic imbalance.
Lemongrass tea is just one of many simple but highly effective steps you can take to regain your bone density. If you haven’t read through the Osteoporosis Reversal Program yet, then you may not know that the data-based premise behind the Program is really simple and easy to comprehend.
Stop Worrying About Your Bone Loss
Join thousands of Savers from around the world who have reversed or prevented their bone loss naturally and scientifically with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.
While Save Our Bones is a lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise program, balancing the pH of your daily food intake, exercising regularly, and looking at bone health with a fresh approach are simple actions that anyone can do.
Till next time,
References:
1 Blanco, M.M., et al. “Neurobehavioral effect of essential oil of Cymbopogon citrates in mice.” Phytomedicine. March 2009. 16(2-3): 265-70. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17561386
2 Cheel, J., et al. “Free radical scavengers and antioxidants from Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus [DC.] Stapf.).” J. Agric Food Chem. April 6, 2005. 53(7):2511-7. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15796587
3 Katsukawa, M., et al. “Citral, a component of lemongrass oil, activates PPARa and y and suppresses COX-2 expression.” Biochem Biophys Acta. November 2010. 180(11): 1214-20. Doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2010.07.004. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20656057
4 Adeneve, A.A., and Agbaje, E.O. “Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of fresh leaf aqueous extract of Cymbopogon citrates Stapf. in rats.” J Ethnopharmacol. July 25, 2007. 112(3): 440-4. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17513076
5 Elson, C.E., et al. “Impact of lemongrass oil, an essential oil, on serum cholesterol.” Lipids. August 1989. 24(8): 677-9. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2586227
6 Vinitketkumnen, U., et al. “Antimutagenicity of lemon grass (Cambopogon citrates Stapf) to various known mutagens in salmonella mutation assay.” Mutat Res. November 1994. 341(1):71-5. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7523944/
7 Suaeyun, R., et al. “Inhibitory effects of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citrates Stapf) on formation of azoxymethane-induced DNA adducts and aberrant crypt foci in the rat colon.” Carcinogenesis. May 1997. 18(5): 949-55. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9163680/
8 Nakamura, Y., et al. “A phase II detoxification enzyme inducer from lemongrass: identification of citral and involvement of electrophilic reaction in the enzyme induction.” Biochem Biophys Res Commun. March 14, 2003. 302(3): 593-600. Web. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12615076
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I have Lemongrass essential oil. Will it provide the same benefits as fresh lemongrass, or the tea?
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I have been recently diagnosed with osteoporosis. I will definitely not be taking any drugs. A friend referred me to your site, and I am very interested in natural healing. Your recipes are very good and I love the 30-day meal planner. I am also very interested in the lemongrass tea. Can you actually use the oil in capsules? How many drops equals 140mg? Do you mix it with anything?
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Hello Vivian, thanks for the lemongrass information. I always have a cup of Cammomile tea before bed; but I will try lemongrass. I wrote to you last year to share the good news of my increase in bone density. 8% in my spine and 4.5% increase in my femur. I have never taken the “drugs” because my chemist told me they build brittle bone. I found a MD who is also a phytotherapist and oversees my supplements. That was about the same time I found your Saver’s site; probably about eight years ago. I’ll be 85 years old this year; my main problem is I have scoliosis and the “bend” in my spine has shortened my height by 3.5 inches. I’m doing exercises from an exercise physiologist to assist. My original GP (who I see occasionally) assures me if I took Fosamax now it would keep my spine from getting worse; she also explained that she only prescribes the drug for 5 years and stops for a time, and assures me it will do me only good. Many Blessings to you and your staff. (I would like to do your osteocleanse but I’m in Australia and the shipping would cost as much as the item.) Kelsey
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Kelsey, thank you for taking the time to share part of your bone health story. Your chemist was absolutely right about the osteoporosis drugs – I’m so glad you listened.
And please don’t worry about shipping costs for OsteoCleanse – it is delivered to your e-mail inbox as a PDF file, so you will receive it immediately after ordering. No shipping costs. 🙂
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Thanks Vivian. I will order it this month. Blessings
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I use lemongrass in my essential oil pain blend. I believe it helps relieve muscular pain. And it smells wonderful. However, I carefully researched your references and while lemongrass can be very helpful in many health issues; IE, cholesterol, glucose etc; I didn’t read anything that suggested it will build bone.
Could you give me the link to that specific info?Thank you
By the way, I do enjoy your site and have found much useful info.-
Could I please see the reply to SANDY April 1, 2016 6:51 pm. Mine shows cancel reply thank you . Mary
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Good morning Vivian,
Thank you very much for sharing this article regarding
the Excellent benefits of lemongrass. I use it for cooking
but, I haven’t tried it as tea.
Have a wonderful day. Marlene-
Hi Marlene! You’ll love the tea… I’m sure 🙂
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Dear Vivian, thank you so much for all the information about Lemongrass tea. I´m not sure if I can find it in Madrid, though I have got it from Canada during my stay with my family. I usually get the green teas in bulk which can be found all over in Toronto provinces. I can always ask my family to send it to me in I cannot get here. I didn’t have all this knowledge about Lemongrass tea, so I’m very glad to have all the above details. Thank you again and wish you all the best.
Warm hugs, Marlyn.-
You’re very welcome, Marilyn!
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I have been drinking Lipton’s Lemon Infusion, made with lemon grass, for years. For those who can purchase Lipton tea products. I live in Australia and it is freely available here in supermarkets.
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Thanks for sharing this valuable tip, Cathie!
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Thank you Vivian for all your articles. It is so difficult to keep positive about alternative therapies for bone health when the medical profession keeps telling us they don’t work and we should be taking medication. I’ll have to repot some lemongrass.
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Glad you enjoy the articles, Janet. We know that alternative treatments work and that we don’t need to ever take osteoporosis drugs… Let’s all encourage each other to continue on our natural journey to natural bone health and wellness 🙂
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Thank-you so much for this information!!! I have severe osteoporosis; was told to take calcium supplements, but calcium upsets my stomach, requiring over-the-counter meds to keep it down and to be able to eat, AND… I’m vitamin d resistant. I also have a compression fracture in my lower back and scoliosis. Surgery for either issue is not an option due to osteoporosis! I am also highly allergic to ALL seafood and fish!
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You’re very welcome, Laverne! And I admire your positive spirit and greatly appreciate that you’re a part of the Saver community.
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Is lemongrass tea herbal?
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Yes, it is considered an herbal tea. 🙂 Some people prefer to call them “infusions” or “tisanes” to avoid confusion with black and green tea made from the tea plant.
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I’ve been using lemon grass for quite a few years but only the lower part of the stem and I’ve been composting the green part. What a waste! Now I will be using it for tea. Thank you so much for all the information you give us and the great recipes.
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Hi Emily,
If you like, you can still compost the green parts after you’ve infused them in tea. 😀
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Can you use Lemongrass extract for the tea?
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Hi Rhonda,
Most extracts are consumed in water, so you could drink it as a “tea.” Check the extract’s label to see the amount to use per cup of water, since extracts differ in strength.
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Thank you for all of the helpful info! Is dried lemon grass effective to use as a tea? I recently bought a bottle of McCormick Lemon Grass.
Thank you!-
Dried lemongrass is a good alternative to fresh, Melissa. 🙂
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Wow! I have learnt a lot about lemon grass from this article. I recently planted one in my garden but was told it gives typhoid fever and jaundice. It scared be about the usage. Any truth in it?
Am glad for the messages. Learning a lot. Thx
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Thanks Vivian, for all the research and sharing you do for us. I’ve used many of your suggestions over the past three years.
I have lemon grass growing in my yard to use in cooking. Is there a guide to the amount of fresh stalks for tea?
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Hi Sheilana,
Good question! A lot of it depends on your taste, but a good rule of thumb is half a stalk of freshly chopped lemongrass per cup of water. Drop the lemongrass pieces into boiling water, reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes covered. Remove from heat and allow it to steep, still covered, for another 5 to 10 minutes. 🙂
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Hi friends, I’m a skinny person who hoped to avoid the worst of osteoporosis but alas over the years with some accidental back episodes and increasingly high bone density scores I am now in a wheel chair with compression fractures of the spine . Starting to move around more on my legs but taking meds for pain tolerance twice a day. I still like to read your information and am thankful for your efforts to help those who don’t want to take osteo drugs. Getting cold laser therapy which gives hope for healing.
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I’m so glad you’re here, Betty!
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Anything for our bones is worth trying and tea drinking is an option. Like the rest, I wish we can find it in the grocery stores in each area/zip code. Thanks for the info.
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hi vivian can you get this tea in a grocery store or is it only found in a health food store would appreciate an answer thank you
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Hi Bea,
Many grocery stores sell lemongrass herb fresh in the produce section. You can also find it in pots in many garden centers. And check your local health food store – it might have dried lemongrass in bulk or in tea bags.
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How man cups of day do we need to drink to produce said effects?
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Hi Paula,
I would suggest one to three cups a day as a good place to start. 🙂
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Could you please tell me if Lemongrass would have any effect on estrogen as I am a breast cancer survivor and must be careful to stay away from estrogen or anything that promotes it. I would appreciate it if you could help me. I also have osteoporosis. Thank you. Maria
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Hi Maria,
There is little research available on the phytoestrogens in lemongrass; however, this study has a chart that indicates lemongrass is not a significant source of phytoestrogens:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00217-006-0506-7#/page-1
It’s a good idea to check with your oncologist to be sure. 🙂
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I will buy this tea immediately! Hopefully it’s out there @ Publix
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I hope you are able to find it, Elle! You can also grow lemongrass in pots or in your yard or garden. 🙂
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It’s easy to grow in a container. Last year was a terrible garden year for us in southern Oklahoma. I bought Lemon Grass for mosquito control after we rec’d 36″ (close to our annual rainfall) in 30 days. I stuck it in a pot and then it didn’t rain fo about 60 days and I forgot about it. More rain and I forgot to shelter it for the winter. It is a zone 8 plant and I live in zone 7. With the mild winter some of it lived and I stuck that in the ground. I’m on the hunt for more for this year. This article give me more reason!!!!
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Vivian I love your articles.I am a firm believer in natural cures.I hate Medicine’s.I do have osteoporosis and am trying to do what I can afford with my income.I am a widow and do what I can afford.God BLESS you and thank you for all. Your help.