I walked into the store just the other day to purchase some tea. I had been thinking about how I needed to go back to drinking green tea everyday in a bid to aid metabolism boost and summer-ready abs. As I walked into the tea aisle, there were so many options to choose from and it suddenly became a difficult task. Buy green tea or buy green tea with some other ingredient to get double benefits? Oh the dilemma.
A particular tea caught my eye as it was different from the regular combos. I was used to seeing ‘green tea with lemon’ ‘green tea with ginger and lemon’, ‘green tea with honey’ etc. But this particular one read: ‘green tea with lemon grass’. As the curious cat that I am, I decided to Google the benefits and soon after, here’s what I found.
Bangalore based nutritionist, Dr Anju Sood had shared some benefits of drinking lemon grass tea regularly in February of 2018. It turns out this is a pretty new discovery so I’m pretty much your plug. You’re welcome. Read below for more on his discovery:
It aids Digestion
Lemongrass has a cooling energy which helps to soothe your stomach and keeps your digestive functions in check. It contains a component called citral that helps to digest food. Therefore, it is mostly served after dinner. It has been used as an ancient remedy for all stomach problems in Chinese medicine like bloating, constipation and indigestion.
It relieves Menstrual Pain
Lemongrass tea is considered excellent for women’s health. It provides relief from hot flashes and helps in reducing menstrual pain due to its soothing effect.
A word of caution though. Lemongrass tea is known to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, diabetics should consult their doctor before consumption. Similarly, pregnant or breast feeding women are advised to avoid lemongrass due to the workings of certain chemical compounds.
High Blood Pressure regulation
Lemongrass is nature’s formula for taming high blood pressure. It is rich in potassium which increases the production of urine in our body, which in turn stimulates blood circulation and lowers blood pressure. By increasing blood circulation, it also helps in purifying the liver. Lemongrass is also known to limit cholesterol absorption from the intestines, thus promoting overall heart health.
Rich with Anti-Oxidants
As with most tea, lemongrass is packed with antioxidants that help in detoxing and cleansing you from within. It helps in removal of toxins from the body by relieving fluid retention.
Great Skin and Hair
Lemongrass is a great source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, which are essential nutrients for beautiful skin and hair. By improving blood circulation, it clears up your skin, treats oily textures and also works on treating eruptions like acne, pimples and eczema.
It boosts metabolism and burns fat
Lemongrass tea is a great option for your weight loss diet plan as it helps in boosting your metabolism which makes digestion quicker and helps in burning more calories. A report published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2013 showed that polyphenols found in natural plant compounds and the caffeine content in tea increases the use of energy and enhances the oxidation of fatty acids in the body.
Gets rid of colds and flu
Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help you cope with cold, cough and flu. It is equally loaded with Vitamin C which helps with strengthening your immunity. This is vital for healing from colds.
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By the time I came across this list, I was definitely making a purchase. It’s been a week now and I’m very happy with the results. I usually struggle with constipation but I’ve noticed that this seems to be a thing of the past now. I’ll keep you updated of all the other changes I notice. What are your favourite teas and why?
Photo Credit: Reader’s Digest
