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Tea in the times of covid-19: What did Granny say about Lemongrass
So, many of us are at home. Some of us, for the sake of the economy and the financial stability of our own lives, are working from home. Our small businesses and entrepreneurs are working assiduously to, if not remain profitable, at least keep their businesses afloat. The Digital Age has taken on new importance and the increase in “home delivery” and “online services” are now at an incredible high, and show little to no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Across the globe, there are lockdowns, shutdowns, and quarantines, and only essential workers are reporting and their jobs, their sacrifices must be taken to heart, as we as a nation, a world of people realise that the power to save mankind, is literally in the palm of our hand. In this post, it would be remiss of me, to not say thank you to those who are on the frontlines battling this global pandemic, and it would be even more selfish to not take the advice of the medical professionals who continuously give us advice on personal hygiene, physical and mental health and the many measures that will help us as a species survive this time of COVID-19. So, a heartfelt Thank You to everyone whose job it is to keep us safe, informed and healthy.
It becomes very important, therefore, that we take our personal roles in the battle against this Pandemic very seriously. We, first of all, must keep ourselves safe. Coupled with social distancing and personal hygiene, is the most personal advice that can be given and taken seriously – become a healthier individual: exercise, take your vitamins and boost your immunity. There are many ways to boost your immunity and if you’re anything like me, the natural way, with fresh fruits, teas, dark green leafy vegetables… (you know..the food groups we learned about in AgriScience all those years ago?) is the way you prefer to go, or at least to supplement the vitamin and mineral supplements that we purchase at the pharmacy, plus, the natural way can be so yummy…
I remember my grandmother having a large grass-like plant that grew in a single cluster that she would send me to get a blade or two for our morning cup of tea. We liked the smell, but unknowing to many at that time, for years, lemongrass tea had been a herbal remedy, used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicines. What I also did not know was that there have been scientific studies done into the viability and validity of these eastern medical practices, that make them more widely accepted in the western world. 
Lemongrass tea is heart healthy: A regular cup of lemongrass tea may help protect the heart from cardiovascular disease. The anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass tea help to improve the circulation of red blood cells and reduce the risk of heart attack and blood clots. Additionally, lemongrass tea helps to modulate risk factors for heart disease such as cholesterol. A study published in Medical Forum monthly investigated the impacts of lemongrass and green tea on blood pressure. The observational study consisted of 72 male participants who consumed either green tea, lemongrass tea, or a placebo. Researchers saw a moderate decrease in high blood pressure in the group that drank lemongrass tea. 
Lemongrass tea is good For Women’s Health: Lemongrass can help to decrease pain such as menstrual cramps thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Research published in 2011 also shows that lemongrass tea may be beneficial in the treatment of hot flashes as the beverage offers a natural calming and cooling effect that can combat feelings of stress and elevated temperature.
What have I done? I killed two birds with one stone: I helped an emerging entrepreneur and I’m upping my tea intake while trying new ones. I bought Twigs Natural Granny Pack, because after all, who knew all the natural remedies and tonics for anything that ails us? Granny did! So in the time of COVID-19, I turned to Granny’s Traditional knowledge to help me to decide what can boost my immunity. Of course, you know, I would have done additional research…and turns out there is scientific research that backs up some of what granny said about Lemongrass, Garlic and Tumeric. Therefore, my blog series, “Tea in the Time of COVID-19: What did Granny Say”, will be dedicated to these three special Twigs Naturals Herbal Teas, that I’ve recently tried and fallen in love with.
In the Caribbean, we know it as Fever Grass. However, the scientific name is Cymbopogon citratus. While the most common species of lemongrass plants are the East Indian and the West Indian varieties, there are over 50 varieties of the lemongrass plant found globally. It’s a unique taste, drawn either from the fresh or dried leaves, like a blend of mint and citrusy lemon, that gives it a taste that is light and airy, and a fresh, invigorating aroma that whisps your senses away.
I remember my grandmother having a large grass-like plant that grew in a single cluster that she would send me to get a blade or two for our morning cup of tea. We liked the smell, but unknowing to many at that time, for years, lemongrass tea had been a herbal remedy, used in both Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicines. What I also did not know was that there have been scientific studies done into the viability and validity of these eastern medical practices, that make them more widely accepted in the western world.
After a bit of research, here is what we found:
Lemongrass tea is a major immunity booster: its high concentration of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C and vitamin A, which can help boost immunity and fend off infections and stave off the common cold and the flu.
Lemongrass tea has both antibacterial and antifungal properties: Lemongrass tea contains high concentrations of antioxidants including polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, and catechins that work to protect healthy body processes.
Lemongrass tea may help battle free radicals: Free radicals are highly reactive cells that have uncharged atoms and can cause deterioration in healthy human cells. They may be caused by pollution, and exposure to carcinogens, and are naturally produced in the body. The danger of free radicals is that they can cause the deterioration of DNA proteins and cell membranes, resulting in Oxidative stress. Linked to degenerative neurological diseases, certain types of cancer, and premature aging, oxidative stress, also known as the body’s form of rust, can be battled with lemongrass tea, which aids in the elimination of excess amounts of free radicals found in the body.
Lemongrass tea is heart healthy: A regular cup of lemongrass tea may help protect the heart from cardiovascular disease. The anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass tea help to improve the circulation of red blood cells and reduce the risk of heart attack and blood clots. Additionally, lemongrass tea helps to modulate risk factors for heart disease such as cholesterol. A study published in Medical Forum monthly investigated the impacts of lemongrass and green tea on blood pressure. The observational study consisted of 72 male participants who consumed either green tea, lemongrass tea, or a placebo. Researchers saw a moderate decrease in high blood pressure in the group that drank lemongrass tea. With all of the quarantine snacking that I’ve been doing, the next bit of information was a pleasant discovery.
Lemongrass tea aids Weight Loss Lemongrass tea can help you lose weight when paired with a healthy diet and regular exercise. This herbal tea naturally has zero calories, making it a great replacement for boring old water while being a good substitute for sugary soft drinks because of its yummy taste. Lemongrass is also a natural diuretic, which can help you shed pounds fast before a big event.
Lemongrass tea is good For Women’s Health: Lemongrass can help to decrease pain such as menstrual cramps thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Research published in 2011 also shows that lemongrass tea may be beneficial in the treatment of hot flashes as the beverage offers a natural calming and cooling effect that can combat feelings of stress and elevated temperature. Lemongrass tea aids with Digestive Health: Drinking lemongrass tea may help balance out digestive health. The anti-inflammatory properties of this tea can help to soothe irritated stomach muscles that cause cramps and bloating. It can also help soothe stomach pain and nausea. Research published in the Journal of Young Pharmacists found that lemongrass essential oil helped to protect against the emergence of gastric ulcers.
However, as with everything, there are a few things that we must take as precautionary. Moderation is always key as the excessive consumption of lemongrass tea can lead to nausea and stomach aches. Secondly, allergic reactions can be had from both the lemongrass leaves and the plant, which show up as either sneezing or skin rash. Finally, care must be taken if you are taking certain medications, therefore, before drinking any herbal teas, advice should be sought from a qualified healthcare professional.
All in all, I am quite happy with my Twigs Naturals Lemongrass tea, as I am with the Twigs Naturals Citrine, which also has lemongrass in its blend. If you want to take a taste, even in this time of COVID-19, you can go to their website and purchase online for hassle-free delivery directly to your door. As I finish my cup of heavenly citrusy Twigs Natural Lemongrass tea, remember, stay home, stay safe and check out, and for further reading on the scientific research done into the benefits of Lemongrass, check out the links below.
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