10 Reasons to Drink Lemongrass Tea

What is it?

 

Lemongrass, also called citronella, is a tall, stalky plant. It has a fresh, lemony aroma and a citrus flavor. It’s a common ingredient in Thai cooking and bug repellent. Lemongrass essential oil is used in aromatherapy to freshen the air, reduce stress, and uplift the mood.

Lemongrass is also used as a folk remedy to promote sleep, relieve pain, and boost immunity. One of the most popular ways to enjoy lemongrass is in tea. Keep reading to learn how drinking lemongrass tea may help deliver these potential health benefits.

ANTIOXIDANT

1. It has antioxidant properties

According to a study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, lemongrass contains several antioxidants, which can help scavenge free radicals in your body that may cause disease. Antioxidants of note are chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertiajaponin. These antioxidants may help prevent dysfunction of cells inside your coronary arteries.

ANTIMICROBIAL

2. It has antimicrobial properties

Lemongrass tea may help treat oral infections and cavities, thanks to its antimicrobial properties. According to a 2012 in vitro study published by the National Institutes of Health, lemongrass essential oil showed antimicrobial abilities against Streptococcus mutans bacteria, the bacteria most responsible for tooth decay.

Further research found lemongrass oil and silver ions may work together against several types of bacteria and fungus in vitro.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

3. It has anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation is thought to play a role in many conditions, including heart disease and stroke. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, two of the main compounds in lemongrass, citral and geranial, are thought to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory benefits.

These compounds are said to help stop the release of certain inflammation-causing markers in your body.

ANTICANCEROUS

4. It may reduce your cancer risk

The citral in lemongrass is also thought to have potent anticancer abilities against some cancer cell lines. Several components of lemongrass help fight cancer. This occurs either by causing cell death directly or boosting your immune system so that your body is better able to fight-off cancer on its own.

Lemongrass tea is sometimes used as an adjuvant therapy during chemotherapy and radiation. It should only be used under the guidance of an oncologist.

DIGESTION

5. It may help promote healthy digestion

A cup of lemongrass tea is a go-to alternative remedy for upset stomach, stomach cramping, and other digestive problems. A 2012 study on rodents published by the National Institutes of Health showed that lemongrass may also be effective against gastric ulcers.

The study found that the essential oil of lemongrass leaves can help protect the stomach lining against damage from aspirin and ethanol. Regular aspirin use is a common cause of gastric ulcers.

DIURETIC

6. It may act as a diuretic

In the world of natural health, lemongrass is a known diuretic. A diuretic makes you urinate more often, ridding your body of excess fluid and sodium. Diuretics are often prescribed if you have heart failure, liver failure, or edema.

A 2001 study evaluating the effects of lemongrass tea in rats showed diuretic activity similar to green tea without causing organ damage or other side effects. For the study, lemongrass tea was given to rats over a six-week period.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

7. It may help reduce high systolic blood pressure

In a 2012 observational study, 72 male volunteers were given either lemongrass tea or green tea to drink. Those who drank the lemongrass tea experienced a moderate drop in systolic blood pressureand a mild increase in diastolic blood pressure. They also had a significantly lower heart rate.

Although these findings are exciting if you have high systolic blood pressure, researchers caution that men with heart problems should use lemongrass in moderation. This can help you avoid dangerous drops in heart rate or increased diastolic pressure.

CHOLESTEROL

8. It may help regulate your cholesterol

High cholesterol may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. A study published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research showed that lemongrass oil extract helped to lower cholesterol in animals. The reduction in cholesterol was dependent on the dose.

In 2011, further research on mice confirmed the long-term safety of up to 100mg lemongrass essential oil daily. More research is needed to see if lemongrass tea has the same effects as lemongrass oil.

WEIGHT LOSS

9. It may help you lose weight

Lemongrass tea is used as a detox tea to kick-start your metabolism and help you lose weight. Even so, most research on lemongrass and weight loss is anecdotal, not scientific. Since lemongrass is a natural diuretic, if you drink enough of it, you’re likely to drop some pounds.

In general, replacing soft drinks and other sugar-sweetened drinks in your diet with herbal teas like lemongrass may help you reach your weight loss goals. However, you shouldn’t drink lemongrass tea exclusively. This can increase your risk of side effects. Try alternating cups of lemongrass tea with water or other unsweetened drinks.

PMS

10. It may help relieve symptoms of PMS

Lemongrass tea is used as a natural remedy for menstrual cramps, bloating, and hot flashes. There isn’t any research specifically on lemongrass and PMS, but, in theory, its stomach-soothing and anti-inflammatory properties may help. Additionally, according to an article published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, lemongrass oil is useful in helping to cool the body.

USE

How to use

There isn’t enough research on lemongrass tea to recommend a standard dosage for any condition. For dosing recommendations, consult your doctor or a qualified natural health practitioner.

To limit your risk of side effects, start with one cup daily. If you tolerate this well, you can drink more. Stop drinking the tea or cut back if you experience side effects.

To make lemongrass tea:

1. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 to 3 teaspoons fresh or dried lemongrass
2. Steep for at least five minutes
3. Strain the tea
4. Enjoy hot or add ice cubes for iced lemongrass tea

You can find loose lemongrass tea or lemongrass tea bags at most natural food stores or online. You can also purchase fresh lemongrass to grow yourself at nurseries where herbs are sold. Preferably, choose organic lemongrass that’s not treated with synthetic pesticides.

Herbs and herbal teas aren’t well-regulated, although some pre-packaged herbal teas must follow the U. S. Food and Drug Administration’s labeling laws. To make sure you get a high-quality, pure product, only buy herbal tea from a reputable manufacturer you trust.

If you don’t like drinking lemongrass, try cooking with it. Add a stalk or two to your favorite soup — it pairs well with chicken noodle. You can also add it to poultry or fish before baking. You can eat lemongrass raw, however, mince it well since it tends to be stringy. 

SIDE EFFECTS AND RISKS

Possible side effects and risks

Lemongrass is generally considered safe to use in food amounts, including the amount typically used to make tea.

Potential side effects include:

• dizziness
• increased hunger
• dry mouth
• increased urination
• tiredness

Some people may be allergic to lemongrass. Get emergency help if you experience allergic reaction symptoms, such as:

• rash
• itching
• difficulty breathing
• rapid heart rate

You shouldn’t drink lemongrass tea if you:

• are pregnant
• take prescription diuretics
• have a low heart rate
• have a low potassium levels

TAKEAWAY

The bottom line

Lemongrass tea is generally a safe and healthy herbal drink. It’s easy to grow or find at most natural food stores. Animal and laboratory research has shown that lemongrass has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Lemongrass may also help protect your stomach lining and improve your lipid profile.

Many lemongrass studies were done using lemongrass essential oil, not lemongrass tea. More human studies are needed using lemongrass tea to confirm the health benefits of lemongrass.

You shouldn’t self-treat any condition with lemongrass tea or use it in place of your prescribed medications without your doctor’s approval.

‘Magic Mushroom’ Compound Could Treat Depression

A compound commonly found in “magic mushrooms” may work some magic on patients struggling with depression.

A study out of Imperial College London recently touted the benefits of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found naturally in the mushrooms.

However, don’t go thinking you should consume the mushroom to thwart off depression.

Psilocybin is only one of the compounds found in the illegal fungi.

In patients who did not experience success with traditional treatments, the compound was found to improve their conditions for up to five weeks after treatment. 

Researchers of the paper published in Scientific Reports said the psychedelic compound can hit the “reset button” on brain circuits that contribute to depression.

Researching the psychedelic compound is nothing new.

Dr. George Greer, medical director at Heffter Research Institute in New Mexico, is part of an organization that studies psilocybin to treat cancer, addiction, and other ailments.

He explained that this therapy includes giving patients pure psilocybin, synthesized in a facility approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Patients are not given ‘magic mushrooms,’ which contain variable amounts of psilocybin,” he pointed out.

Greer told Healthline that the compound is the focus of research at several universities.

The final phase III trials are set to begin next year.

A new treatment path

In the study out of Imperial College London, 19 patients took 2 doses of psilocybin, a week apart.

Each patient had two brain scans following each dose.

Then, researchers looked at their brains using two imaging methods. 

The scientists found that there was a reduction in blood flow to certain areas of the brain linked to emotional processing, stress, and fear.

The scientists also reported more stability in another area of the brain associated with depression.

Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, the lead author of the study and the head of psychedelic research at Imperial College London, said the compound could be a viable alternative to antidepressants, which mute emotions and have side effects that include sexual dysfunction.

“They work in a different way to antidepressants and that’s one of the reasons they really could be a solution for depression,” he told Healthline.

Additionally, psilocybin doesn’t need to be taken daily the way antidepressants must be administered.

Carhart-Harris also said it could be a first course of action for those suffering from depression.

“I don’t see the logic in why people have to try antidepressants first, particularly if psilocybin is more appealing to people, or if they don’t want to take antidepressants at all, for whatever reason,” he explained.

Psychedelics as treatment

Brad Burge, a spokesperson for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in California, added that psychedelics are being studied to treat multiple diseases and conditions.

His group is assessing 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

MDMA is a compound sometimes found in drugs such as Ecstasy, but it is not the same thing as the street drug. MAPS does not sponsor psilocybin research, Burge noted.

“We currently expect that MDMA will be approved for use in combination with psychotherapy for PTSD by 2021,” Burge added.

Phase III trials on using psilocybin as a treatment for anxiety may also be happening soon, Burge said.

Burge said the medical community largely recognizes psychedelics as a potential treatment option for medical conditions.

“Those medical professionals and policymakers who don’t yet recognize the potential value that psychedelic compounds hold for the treatment of mental illness are right to be skeptical, and we encourage them to wait for the results of the upcoming Phase III trials,” he said.

“People should not try to self-medicate, as these treatments are not yet FDA-approved,” noted Dr. David Feifel, a psychiatry professor at the University of California, San Diego.

He said psychedelic treatments are “currently not an option their doctors can offer, unless they are enrolled in a research study.”

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This Is the 1 Healthy Food That Everybody Loves to Hate

You know that you should eat a healthy diet. But everyone has some foods that they just hate, no matter how many magazine covers proclaim their health benefits, or how fervently nutritionists recommending getting on board. You might think that you’re alone in detesting some of these healthy foods. But, we promise, you’re not! In fact, many healthy foods that we all pretend to like are actually pretty unpopular.

Below, check out some of the healthy foods that, at least in secret, many of us love to hate. See if any of your personal bugbears make the list!

1. Beets 

Let’s start simple. Plenty of people dislike beets because they taste, well, like dirt. These vitamin-packed veggies have plenty of nutritional value. But most of us won’t eat them out of a can. (Roast them or pickle them, and there’s a slightly better chance we’d give them a try.) Some people get past the earthy taste, or even profess to like it. But for others, there’s just no way to choke this veggie down. 

2. Bell peppers 

You can get bell peppers in just about any color — green, yellow, orange, and red — at the grocery store year-round. But some people always steer clear. Many people think that they taste bitter, especially the green bell peppers, which are typically harvested before they fully ripen. Sauté, roast, or grill away: Many people find that they never like bell peppers, no matter how they’re prepared. 

3. Brussels sprouts 

Another produce section staple, Brussels sprouts seem to attract much more hate than love. Though many people profess to like them roasted, baked, or prepared any way other than thawed from a frozen bag, others refuse to go near these spherical little vegetables. Brussels sprouts haters proclaim that they taste bitter and often get soggy or waterlogged — none of which are qualities we covet in a vegetable! 

4. Chia seeds 

Chia seeds make an appearance in many juices and smoothies, and even in yogurt. They look small and innocuous. But the problem? They develop a slimy coating when wet. And there’s nothing worse than getting a mouthful of gelatinous chia seeds when you just wanted a healthy but ultimately inoffensive breakfast. If your nutrition-obsessed friends insist that you try them, make sure that you go for them dry — like in granola — instead. 

5. Cilantro 

The more green foods on your plate the better, right? Wrong, according to the many people who can’t stand the taste of cilantro. Some people sprinkle it liberally over their tacos, and on numerous dishes that originate in Latin American and Asian cuisines. However, some of the compounds in cilantro make it taste like soap to a large number of people. So it’s a pretty popular herb to hate! (We told you that you weren’t alone!)

Next: This food tastes very sour.

6. Goat cheese 

Goat cheese — simply cheese made from goat’s milk — seems to have risen to promise at Whole Foods as well as at expensive restaurants. But you aren’t alone if you just can’t stomach this healthy food. It has a tart flavor, thanks to the fatty acids found in goat’s milk. Even people who love cheese of other types often find goat cheese inedible. They often report that the sour aftertaste, cruelly enough, lasts for a long time, even when they’ve only had a small dose of goat cheese on top of a pizza or a salad. 

7. Hummus 

Hummus, a dip made from chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt, seems to be everywhere these days. You’ll see it on sandwiches and on top of salads, as a dip for chips and of course as a condiment to accompany pita bread. But not everybody’s on board. That could be because hummus typically includes garlic, which offends many people’s tastebuds. But you could also blame the texture of hummus, which can range from smooth to downright gritty if the chickpeas weren’t prepared properly. 

8. Kiwi 

Though plenty of people seem to think the kiwi makes a delicious and healthy snack, others know better. They detect more than a hint of sourness in its flavor. Plus, many people get weirded out by the tiny, edible seeds inside it. And if you’ve ever witnessed somebody eating a kiwi without peeling off the hairy skin, just eating it instead, you’ll probably never go back to eating kiwis again. 

9. Kefir 

Even if regular milk or yogurt aren’t gross to you, we can basically guarantee that you’ll think twice before consuming kefir. This fermented milk drink comes packed with probiotics, but it also has a distinctive sour taste. That taste, as well as the idea that the milk is fermented, keeps many people away from this healthy beverage. It also doesn’t help that people consistently compare it to yogurt, which just further grosses out people who don’t like yogurt, either. 

10. Kombucha 

Your health nut friends may love kombucha, a fermented tea drink, but that doesn’t mean you’d go anywhere near it. Kombucha tastes pretty much like what it is: fermented tea. Still unsure? That means it tastes more than a little bit like vinegar. It doesn’t help that you make kombucha with a scoby: a gelatinous disc of bacteria and yeast that transforms regular tea into kombucha. It’s as gross as it sounds — at least to skeptics, who don’t understand why anybody willingly drinks the stuff. 

11. Lamb 

Lean cuts of lamb serve as a great source of protein, and the meat can make a healthy addition to your diet provided you eat it in moderation. But if you shudder at the thought of eating this healthy food, you’re certainly not alone. Plenty of people refuse to eat lamb because they don’t eat meat. Others won’t go near it because it counts as red meat. Still others just don’t like the sweaty, barnyard-y taste that lamb typically has, even when prepared well. 

12. Lima beans 

According to those who hate them, lima beans have a distinctive (and disgusting) sour taste. But that’s not all. They also have a distinctive odor that you can detect whether somebody serves lima beans on their own or mixed in with other vegetables. (The horrors!) Plus, their texture, which can get mealy at times, doesn’t really help their cause, no matter how nutritious doctors say they are. 

13. Liver 

Another kind of meat that many people won’t eat, even in the name of nutrition? Liver. Many people feel opposed to eating just because they know the liver’s function in an animal’s body: taking up toxic substances, and converting them into forms that can then be excreted by the body. Even that’s enough to give you pause. But plenty of people find the look of liver — not to mention the taste — pretty gross, as well. 

14. Milk 

Everybody knows that milk makes a nutritious beverage. But many of us haven’t willingly drunk a glass of milk since childhood. Though it doesn’t have a strong flavor, it definitely has a distinctive taste. To many people, it tastes strange or sour. And to others, a glass of milk can never be cold enough to actually seem palatable. And as almost anyone can agree, there’s almost nothing worse than a room-temperature glass of milk. Yuck! 

15. Mushrooms 

Plenty of people dislike mushrooms, either raw or cooked, for their earthy taste. Others can’t quite get over the fact that mushrooms typically grow in moist and often dirty conditions. And then there’s the question of texture. When raw, mushrooms are smooth, but may squeak when you sink your teeth into them. And if not cooked properly, they can easily get slimy and squishy. 

16. Oysters 

Though they don’t exactly count as a health food if you order them fried, oysters are a sustainable seafood option that comes packed with plenty of healthy compounds, including as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. But that won’t do you any good if you count yourself among the many people who just can’t stomach these slimy sea creatures. Our main complaint is the slippery texture, which people somehow get past to enjoy this famed aphrodisiac. 

17. Yogurt 

Yogurt is a wildly popular breakfast food. And these days, it enjoys popularity as a snack, too, thanks to travel-friendly containers. But many people just can’t get on board, no matter how numerous the probiotics or how healthy the protein. To many people, yogurt just tastes like sour milk — especially “plain” varieties. Adding fruit, nuts, or sugary toppings can help disguise the taste, but that doesn’t completely cover it up.