Lemongrass Tea: Recipe, Detox Claims and Safety

Lemongrass tea is an infusion of lemongrass and water that takes about 4 hours and 5 minutes to prepare and makes about 2 cups (480 mL).

For another infusion idea, try the ai detox recipe generator.

What is lemongrass tea?

Lemongrass tea is made by steeping the aromatic stalks of food-grade lemongrass in water, then straining them out. It has a citrus-like flavor, even though it contains no lemon. This recipe uses a refrigerated cold steep rather than boiling the lemongrass.

Lemongrass tea is one option among herbal detox tea recipes. Despite the name, these drinks do not need to remove toxins to be useful: they can simply offer a flavorful way to drink water.

How do you make lemongrass tea?

Yield: About 2 cups (480 mL)
Active prep time: About 5 minutes
Refrigerated steep: 4 hours
Total time: About 4 hours and 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 10 g fresh, food-grade lemongrass, thinly sliced (about 2 tablespoons, or 1/8 cup)
• 480 mL drinking water (2 cups)

Instructions

1. Rinse the lemongrass under running water and remove any dry or damaged outer layers.
2. Slice the lemongrass thinly and place it in a clean jar or pitcher.
3. Pour in the water, cover the container and refrigerate for 4 hours.
4. Strain out the lemongrass and serve the tea cold, or gently heat a portion if you prefer it warm.
5. Refrigerate any leftover tea and drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor. Discard it sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Keep the tea refrigerated while it steeps; do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours. Use clean utensils when serving, and avoid returning a portion that has been sitting out to the storage container.

<script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Recipe","name":"Lemongrass Tea","description":"A refrigerated infusion of fresh lemongrass and water.","recipeYield":"About 2 cups (480 mL)","prepTime":"PT5M","totalTime":"PT4H5M","recipeIngredient":["10 g fresh food-grade lemongrass, thinly sliced (about 2 tablespoons, or 1/8 cup)","480 mL drinking water (2 cups)"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Rinse the lemongrass and remove dry or damaged outer layers."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Slice the lemongrass thinly and place it in a clean jar or pitcher."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Pour in the water, cover and refrigerate for 4 hours."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Strain out the lemongrass and serve cold, or gently heat a portion."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Refrigerate leftovers and drink within 24 hours for the best flavor; discard sooner if cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling."}]}</script>

What does lemongrass tea do for detox?

Lemongrass tea supplies water, which supports normal hydration. There is no good evidence that drinking it removes toxins or speeds up the body’s normal detoxification processes.

The liver and kidneys do most of that work; the lungs and gut also help eliminate waste. Sweat removes only trace amounts of waste. You can enjoy lemongrass tea for its flavor without treating it as a cleanse or expecting it to replace medical care.

Read more about the evidence and its limits in lemongrass tea benefits.

How much lemongrass tea should you drink, and when?

A 1-cup (240 mL) serving is a practical starting portion, not an established therapeutic dose. There is no proven ideal amount of lemongrass tea for detox, and plain water can also support hydration.

Drink it at a time that suits you. Unsweetened lemongrass tea made without added tea leaves is naturally caffeine-free, so it can fit into an evening routine if you enjoy it then. If drinking close to bedtime interrupts your sleep, have it earlier.

For more on routine and timing, see can you drink lemongrass tea every day, the best time to drink lemongrass tea and how much lemongrass tea per day.

What are the side effects of lemongrass tea?

Stop drinking lemongrass tea if it causes discomfort or a suspected allergic reaction. Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat. Use food-grade lemongrass, not essential oil, in this recipe.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or want to give lemongrass tea to a child, ask a clinician first; safety information for regular use is limited. If you have kidney disease, follow a fluid restriction or take a diuretic, check with your clinician about how the drink fits your fluid plan. More detail is available in lemongrass tea side effects.

Lemongrass tea FAQs

Can you use dried lemongrass?

Yes. Choose food-grade dried lemongrass and follow the package instructions, since its cut and strength can differ from fresh lemongrass. The proportions in this recipe are for fresh lemongrass.

What if the flavor is too mild?

Slice the lemongrass thinly before steeping and allow the full refrigerated steep. If you prefer a stronger flavor, adjust the amount of lemongrass the next time you make it rather than leaving the finished drink unrefrigerated.