Lemongrass tea offers a range of potential health benefits, from easing digestion and lowering blood pressure to reducing anxiety and fighting inflammation. It’s one of the most widely consumed herbal teas in tropical regions, where it has centuries of traditional use as a digestive aid and calming drink. Modern research is starting to confirm several of those traditional claims.
Digestive Support and Stomach Protection
One of the oldest uses for lemongrass tea is settling an upset stomach, and lab research backs this up. The essential oil in lemongrass leaves showed strong protective effects against stomach ulcers in animal studies. When tested against damage caused by ethanol and aspirin (two common triggers for gastric irritation), lemongrass pretreatment reduced ulcer formation by 88% and 76%, respectively. The protective mechanism appears to involve boosting the stomach’s own prostaglandins, which are compounds that maintain the mucous lining of the digestive tract.
Traditionally, lemongrass tea has been used as a carminative, meaning it helps relieve gas and bloating. While large-scale human trials on digestion are still limited, the combination of traditional evidence and laboratory findings makes it one of the better-supported herbal options for general stomach comfort.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Citral, the dominant compound in lemongrass (making up roughly 60 to 70% of its essential oil), is a potent inflammation fighter. It works by blocking a key inflammatory signaling pathway called NF-κB. Specifically, citral activates a receptor called PPAR-γ, which independently shuts down NF-κB activity and reduces the production of inflammatory molecules throughout the body.
In lab studies, citral reduced the production of nitric oxide, a marker of inflammation, by 84% at low concentrations and 99% at higher ones. It also lowered levels of two major inflammatory signaling molecules, IL-6 and TNF-α, in white blood cells. The two individual components of citral (called neral and geranial) each reduced TNF-α secretion by 57 to 80% on their own. This broad suppression of inflammatory signals is why lemongrass tea is sometimes recommended alongside conventional approaches for conditions involving chronic, low-grade inflammation.
Anxiety and Sleep
If you find lemongrass tea calming, there’s a neurological reason for that. The essential oil compounds in lemongrass interact with GABA receptors in the brain, the same system targeted by prescription anti-anxiety medications. Animal studies confirmed that lemongrass oil produced anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects by enhancing activity at the GABA-A receptor complex. This mechanism helps explain why lemongrass infusions have been used for centuries across South America and Southeast Asia as a mild sedative for nervous disturbances.
The calming effect appears to come primarily from citral and a secondary compound called beta-myrcene, which together make up nearly 90% of the essential oil. Drinking a cup of lemongrass tea before bed won’t knock you out like a sleeping pill, but it may take the edge off daily stress and make it easier to wind down.
Blood Pressure
Several studies have tested lemongrass tea’s effects on blood pressure in humans. In one trial, healthy young adults drank lemongrass tea at doses of 2, 4, or 8 grams brewed in 150 milliliters of water daily for 30 days. All doses produced a decrease in diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) within the first 10 days, suggesting that lemongrass reduces resistance in blood vessels. By day 30, the highest dose group still showed lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) compared to baseline, though other measures had returned to normal.
A separate study in people with pre-hypertension or hypertension found that drinking 250 milliliters of a lemongrass decoction daily for 14 days significantly lowered systolic blood pressure. These results are promising but preliminary. The effects appear modest and dose-dependent, so lemongrass tea is best thought of as a supportive habit rather than a replacement for blood pressure medication.
Antioxidant Activity
Lemongrass leaves contain a notable variety of protective plant compounds. Beyond citral, the plant provides flavonoids like luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and apigenin, along with phenolic compounds including chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. These are the same families of antioxidants found in green tea, berries, and other well-studied plant foods.
When researchers tested lemongrass extracts (including brewed infusions similar to tea), they demonstrated clear free radical scavenging activity. The extracts neutralized multiple types of reactive molecules and inhibited lipid peroxidation in human red blood cells. Lipid peroxidation is a process where free radicals damage cell membranes, and it plays a role in aging and chronic disease. Drinking lemongrass tea regularly contributes a meaningful dose of these protective compounds to your diet.
Oral Health
Lemongrass extract shows strong activity against Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacterium responsible for tooth decay. In a comparative lab study, lemongrass produced the largest zone of bacterial inhibition at 28 millimeters, outperforming guava extract (22 mm) and other plant-based antimicrobials. This doesn’t mean swishing lemongrass tea will replace brushing, but it does suggest that regular consumption may contribute to a less hospitable environment for cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth.
How to Brew It
You can make lemongrass tea from fresh stalks, dried leaves, or pre-packaged tea bags. For fresh lemongrass, cut two or three stalks into 2-inch pieces, lightly crush them to release the oils, and steep in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. For dried lemongrass, one to two teaspoons per cup is a common ratio. The studies that showed blood pressure effects used between 2 and 8 grams of dried lemongrass per 150 milliliters of water, so a standard teaspoon or two falls within that range.
The flavor is bright, citrusy, and mildly sweet on its own. It pairs well with ginger, honey, or mint if you want to blend it.
Safety Considerations
For most people, lemongrass tea in normal amounts is well tolerated. However, there are a few important exceptions. Higher doses (around 8 grams daily) have been associated with adverse effects on kidney function, specifically reduced creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate. If you have existing kidney issues, keep your intake moderate.
Lemongrass tea should be avoided during pregnancy. Citral and beta-myrcene have demonstrated maternal toxicity at high doses in animal studies, and lemongrass extracts have shown effects on cell division that make them unsuitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Beta-myrcene also has the potential to interfere with certain liver enzymes involved in drug metabolism, though no specific drug interactions have been formally reported. If you take prescription medications, it’s worth mentioning your lemongrass habit to your pharmacist.