Is lemongrass tea during pregnancy a safe herbal drink to have when mothers are expecting? Find out which herbs are safe to drink and which aren’t, including if lemongrass is safe for you.
Lemongrass is a delicious plant that looks like grass, with its ends forming a bulb-like portion that is very close in taste to that of ginger. It is used widely in Asian cooking, especially that of Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. I remember when I first had the infamous green Thai curry, there was lemongrass in it that completely gave the dish a whole new platform in flavor. It has a strong lemony taste, and isn’t a plant that is used generously in cooking because of its strong flavor.
The bulb is also included in cooking where it is powdered first before being added to a dish. It is native to India, and grows well in climates that are warm and humid. The name given to lemongrass is cymbopogon citratus and comes from the poaceae family.
The lemongrass plant can be grown indoors, provided that you aren’t trying to make it take root in the winter season. It has to be in an area that is warm and damp for it to flourish.
Is it Safe to Drink Lemongrass Tea while Expecting?
The herbs used in teas can range from mild to strong, embodying a set of different benefits when you drink of its concentrated content. Not only are these herbs used for teas, but many of them are essential ingredients used in cooking.
Lemongrass tea consumption is not safe for expecting mothers. What you can drink instead during this time are those in the list of safe herbs which can be ingested in small quantities, and not on a regular basis, since these contain chemicals that can prove to be harmful during those nine crucial months. So, go easy on the safe herbs, and without a doubt stay clear from those that aren’t safe for expecting moms and those that are nursing.
Safe Herbs
- Peppermint
- Thyme
- Ginger
- Roasted barley
- Lime blossom
- Rose hips
Unsafe Herbs
Lemongrass Tea Benefits
You’ll find that the benefits of lemongrass are aplenty, with many of them catering to many major illnesses and problems that the body faces.
- The liver is detoxified, along with organs like the digestive tract, kidney and bladder.
- Gastroenteritis and indigestion are two problems that lemongrass combats.
- Has antifungal and antibacterial attributes.
- Reduces excess fat, uric acid and even cholesterol.
- Tones tissue and muscle mass.
- Strengthens the immunity system.
- Menstrual cramping is reduced.
- Helps improve one’s skin condition of pimples and even acne.
- Reduces the appearance of cellulite.
- Helps reduce pain caused by rheumatism and arthritis.
- Improves blood circulation and pressure.
- Helps those suffering from insomnia.
- Can prevent the occurrence of colon cancer.
- Aids those who suffer from flatulence.
Lemongrass Tea Recipe
This tea is a favorite among those who love its lemony and strong flavor, that can be made using either fresh stalks from the plant, or its dried form as well. Here’s how you can make this simple tea recipe.
What You’ll Need:
- 2 teaspoons of lemongrass leaves
- Sieve
- 1 mug of water
Method of Preparation:
Keep the mug of hot water on the boil, and wait for it to bubble over before turning the gas off. Pour this back into the mug and drop in your lemongrass leaves, letting it stand in the hot water until it has been completely saturated with its yellow colored concentrate. Then, pour this through a sieve, and enjoy your refreshing herbal tea.
Women need to be careful when it comes to drinking herbal teas, since they do contain traces of caffeine which should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. It is important to drink the safe herbal teas in small amounts, and to keep away from those that are harmful. They can cause miscarriages and other problems if taken in regular doses, so the key here to know which herbal teas are safe, and which are clearly not. Also now that you know how to make lemongrass tea, I suggest you drink this only after you are through with your pregnancy term and have passed that nursing stage. Have a safe tomorrow.