homemade spiced lemongrass tea 2

2 lemongrass stalks
A pinch of ground cinnamon
Honey or sugar to sweeten (optional)
Boiling water
1 tea bag
Juice from ½ lime

1 Cut off the root end of the lemongrass stalk and remove any of the any dry outer leaves. Gently bruise the base of the stalk with a rolling pin.

2 Tie the lemongrass in a knot and place in a cup with cinnamon and sweeteners if using.

3 Pour in the boiling water. Add a tea bag and remove as soon as the water is golden brown.

4 Add lime juice to taste and serve with a lemongrass stirrer.

Lemongrass is a thin-bladed green grass-like topical herb widely used in Asian cooking. Unlike its name, it has nothing to do with lemons, except its strong lemon like scent and taste. This tropical herb has immense health benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidepressant, sedative, carminative and anti-cancer properties. Lemongrass is packed with so many nutrients like vitamin A and C, copper, zinc, folate, phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and manganese that it can help improve many chronic conditions. Consuming lemongrass tea can detoxify the body, relieve nausea, aid in digestion, rebalance the intestinal flora, treat insomnia, lower high blood pressure, control cholesterol level, fight cold and flu, lower uric acid level and also help to relieve stress

By crushing or pounding the leaves, stem and bulbs of lemongrass, you can release its nice lemony aroma and add them to your foods like soups, sauces, broths, curries and teas etc. They can also be added to salads by cutting them into thin slices. But to get most of its benefit and for easier consumption, drink lemongrass tea. Because when you make lemongrass tea, the essential oil and phytonutrients do not get destroyed by the heat. Rather they seep into the boiling water and provide maximum benefits.

You can add sugar, sweetener, other herbs and spices to enhance or create a different taste. However, its lemony flavor is unique and wonderful on its own. In hot weather, you can even prepare cold lemongrass tea and enjoy. Here is a recipe of spiced lemon grass tea combined with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and lemon juice to make it even healthier and enhance its taste