A random fact about me –> I didn’t know what lemongrass was or in what foods it’s in, but one day I went to a Thai restaurant and had a soup and they actually wrote that there was lemongrass in it, it was so delicious! Once I saw and tasted what it was, I did my research and found out where to find it and how to eat it!
What Is Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is basically an herb, with a lemon scent! It grows in tropical climates, mostly in Southeast Asia. Like I mentioned, I had it in a Thai soup – and is a common ingredient in Thai cooking! It can also be found in dishes from Sri Lanka, India, and Indonesia (yum!) It tastes like lemon mixed with ginger! So delicious.
Health Benefits of Lemongrass?
You can find lemongrass in many forms – fresh, dried, essential oils, and as tea! There are many health benefits of lemongrass! For example – if you have it as tea, it helps relieve anxiety, helps lower cholesterol, prevents infections, boosts oral health, helps relieve body pain, boosts red blood cells, and helps relieve bloating! In addition, it helps menstrual cramps and bloating, helps with keeping your skin and hair healthy, and is just overall full of antioxidants!
Using lemongrass essential oils also has a lot of benefits! Because it has antibacterial properties, it shows that lemongrass essential oils helped fight skin infections, pneumonia, blood infections, and serious intestinal infections! It also has anti-fungal properties so it helps fight athletes foot, ringworm, and jock itch! Another fun fact – it can help ease diarrhea!
Side-Effects?
Even though lemongrass has all of these benefits, there are also some side-effects you should look out for. Some of the most common side-effects are an allergic reaction (when using it topical), increased amylase, increased bilirubin, and toxic alveolitis. If you are trying to add lemongrass to your diet and have never had it, please be sure to slowly ease it into your food/tea so you do not internally hurt yourself. If you are breast-feeding or are pregnant, it is best to talk with your doctor because it can be unsafe. It is said that it starts mensural flow, so it’s concerned there might be a miscarriage. But like I mentioned, start super small and keep track of how your body is feeling/looking. If you start to notice something, please reach out to your doctor!
Lemongrass Tea Recipe
What You Will Need:
4 cups water
2 cups roughly chopped lemongrass stalks
1/4 cup sugar
Lime wheels for garnish (optional)
How To Make It: Pour the water into a pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiled, add the lemongrass and let it boil rapidly for about 5 minutes. Once done so, reduce the heat to low and simmer it for another 5 minutes. Strain the stalks from the liquid and stir in the sugar until it’s all dissolved. And you’re done! You can serve it warm, over ice, or just chill it in the refrigerator!
What’s your favorite lemongrass recipe?
I love lemongrass tea! I’ve always bought it from the store, and always find myself adding a little more lemon. I haven’t even thought about making it at home. This is such a good suggestion! Can’t wait to try it homemade.
Amazing! Glad I can help 🙂
Here in Nigeria, it is used as a medicinal herb to treat malaria and trust me, it works.
Wow! That’s so amazing !
Yes it is. 🤗
I have grown lemon grass to keep away bugs, but never in food! Thanks for sharing.
Thats so awesome!! I’ll definitely try to grow some now hahag
I always use my lemmon grass essential oil but after reading this I definitely want to start including it in my diet as well!
Yes! It’s so wonderful