Recipe
Lemongrass tea
- Herb:
- Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus
- Method:
- Herbal infusion (tea)
- Plant part:
- Leaf
About 12 minBeginnerRecipe science profile
Procedure
- Strip dry outer leaves from a fresh stalk, bruise it with the flat of a knife and cut into 2 cm pieces; dried leaf just needs measuring.
- Put into a mug or small pot and pour over 250 ml of boiling water.
- Cover and steep for 7–10 minutes; longer adds a grassy taste, not aroma.
- Strain. Warm with a slice of ginger, or chilled over ice with lime.
Extraction
- Herb:
- 1 fresh stalk cut into pieces, or 1–2 teaspoons of dried leaf per 250 ml
- Solvent:
- boiling water, 7–10 minutes, covered
- Shelf life:
- drink the same day; excellent chilled with ice
- Target compounds:
- citral and other essential oil monoterpenes; covering limits their escape
Notes
A drink with no known particular risks in ordinary amounts. Never drink lemongrass essential oil; it belongs only in a diffuser or diluted on the skin.
Why it works
Citral and other volatile constituents pass into hot water only partly and escape quickly with steam — hence the lid. Brazilian folk tradition credits the drink with a calming effect; controlled human studies are scarce.
Literature
- Shah G et al. (2011): Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus. J Adv Pharm Technol Res 2(1):3–8 — Review of traditional use (Brazil, Southeast Asia) and laboratory studies; little clinical data.
Related
Lemongrass — Herb card
Herbal infusion (tea) — Processing method detail