Lemongrass contains compounds that act as antioxidants and may reduce inflammation, but most human evidence remains limited

Lemongrass—the tall, fragrant grass used in Southeast Asian cooking and tea—contains several active compounds, primarily citral, which gives it the lemon scent. When you drink lemongrass tea, you're consuming these compounds in a diluted form. Laboratory and animal studies show that citral and related compounds can neutralize free radicals and dampen inflammatory pathways in cells. What matters for your health is whether these effects translate to humans in meaningful doses, and here the evidence is thinner. Most human studies are small, short-term, or observational rather than randomized controlled trials, so claims about lemongrass "healing" or "curing" conditions go well beyond what the data supports.

The gap between test-tube promise and human benefit is real. A compound that works in a petri dish or in mice may not reach your tissues in high enough concentration, may be broken down before it acts, or may interact with your body in ways the animal model didn't predict. Lemongrass tea is safe for most people and may offer modest benefits, but it is not a substitute for medical treatment of any condition.

Key Takeaways

  • Lemongrass contains citral and other compounds that show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory and animal studies, but human evidence is limited to small trials and observational data.
  • Some research suggests lemongrass may help lower cholesterol and blood sugar slightly, but these findings come from short studies in small groups and need confirmation in larger human trials.
  • Lemongrass tea is generally safe for regular consumption, though it may interact with certain medications or cause mild digestive upset in sensitive people.
  • Marketing claims that lemongrass "detoxifies," "cleanses," or "cures" disease are not supported by evidence and should be treated with skepticism.

How citral and other compounds work at the cellular level

Lemongrass contains roughly 75 to 90 percent volatile oils, with citral making up about 70 to 80 percent of those oils. Citral exists in two forms—geranial and neral—and both have been shown in laboratory studies to bind to and neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage cell membranes and DNA. In cell cultures and animal models, citral also appears to block inflammatory signaling pathways, particularly those involving NF-κB, a protein complex that turns on genes for inflammatory molecules.

The mechanism is real, but the dose matters enormously. A test tube can expose cells to a very high concentration of citral for hours. Your digestive system breaks down many of these compounds, and only a fraction reaches your bloodstream. A cup of lemongrass tea contains far less citral than the doses used in laboratory experiments, so whether the effect is strong enough to matter in your body remains an open question. This is why researchers distinguish between "in vitro" (in glass) and "in vivo" (in a living organism) evidence—and why a promising lab result does not automatically mean a health benefit for you.

What human studies show about cholesterol and blood sugar

The most consistent human findings involve cholesterol and blood sugar. A 2015 randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research followed 60 people with high cholesterol who drank lemongrass tea daily for 30 days. The group drinking lemongrass showed a modest reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol compared to placebo, though the effect was small—roughly 7 to 12 percent lower. A separate 2012 study in Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition found that lemongrass extract reduced fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes over 30 days, again by a modest margin.

These results are encouraging but come with important caveats. Both studies were small (under 100 participants), short (30 days or less), and conducted in specific populations. Neither study measured whether the effect persisted beyond the trial period. No large, long-term human trial has yet confirmed these findings. A single positive small trial is not the same as established evidence—it is a signal that warrants further investigation. If you have high cholesterol or diabetes, lemongrass tea might be a pleasant addition to your routine, but it should not replace medication or dietary changes your doctor has recommended.

Digestive and antimicrobial claims: what the evidence supports

Lemongrass is traditionally used in herbal medicine to soothe digestive upset, and some laboratory evidence backs this. Studies in isolated tissues and animal models show that lemongrass extract can relax smooth muscle in the gut and may have mild antimicrobial activity against certain bacteria. However, human trials testing these effects are scarce. One small study found that lemongrass tea reduced bloating in people with functional dyspepsia (indigestion without an obvious cause), but the sample was tiny and the study design was not rigorous enough to rule out placebo effect.

The antimicrobial angle is similarly mixed. Lemongrass oil shows activity against some bacteria and fungi in the lab, but drinking tea is not the same as explore concentrated oil directly to an infection. Your stomach acid and digestive enzymes break down many plant compounds before they can reach a site of infection. Lemongrass tea may support digestive comfort as part of a broader routine, but it is not a treatment for bacterial or fungal infections and should not be used in place of medical care.

Potential interactions and who should be cautious

Lemongrass is safe for most people in typical tea amounts—roughly one to three cups daily. However, a few groups should be more careful. Pregnant and nursing women should limit intake because some compounds in lemongrass may affect hormone levels; the evidence is not conclusive, but caution is warranted. People taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin should check with their doctor, as some herbal compounds can interact with anticoagulants, though lemongrass itself has not been shown to be a major concern.

Lemongrass may also lower blood sugar, so people on diabetes medication should monitor their levels if they begin drinking it regularly. Allergic reactions are rare but possible—some people report skin irritation or contact dermatitis from handling fresh lemongrass. If you have a known allergy to grasses or citrus, start with a small amount of tea and watch for any reaction. Most side effects are mild and digestive—nausea, stomach upset, or heartburn in sensitive individuals—and resolve when you stop drinking it.

How lemongrass compares to other herbal teas

Lemongrass sits in the middle of the evidence spectrum for herbal teas. Green tea and black tea have far more human research behind their antioxidant and cardiovascular benefits, with decades of large observational studies and multiple randomized trials. Chamomile has solid evidence for mild anxiety and sleep support. Ginger has strong evidence for nausea relief. Lemongrass, by contrast, has promising early signals but not yet the weight of evidence that would let you confidently say "this will lower your cholesterol" or "this will improve digestion."

That does not mean lemongrass is worthless—it means the research is still catching up. If you enjoy the taste and tolerate it well, drinking lemongrass tea is a low-risk way to consume compounds with known biological activity. But if you are choosing between lemongrass and a tea with stronger human evidence for a specific goal, the better-studied option is the safer bet. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, but it is also not a reason to expect dramatic results.

Reading marketing claims with a critical eye

You will often see lemongrass marketed as a "detox" tea, a "cleanse," or a cure for specific diseases. These claims should raise a red flag. Your liver and kidneys already detoxify your body continuously—no tea "cleanses" them in the way marketing suggests. The word "detox" has no legal definition in nutrition and is used to sell products, not to describe a real biological process. Similarly, claims that lemongrass "cures" diabetes, cancer, or heart disease are not supported by evidence and may delay you from seeking real treatment.

Look instead for language like "may support," "is traditionally used for," or "contains compounds that show activity in laboratory studies." These phrases are honest about the limits of the evidence. If a company claims lemongrass will "may provide" results, "eliminate" a disease, or "work for everyone," they are overselling. A reputable source will tell you what the research actually shows, acknowledge what remains unknown, and never position an herbal tea as a replacement for medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does lemongrass tea have caffeine?

No. Lemongrass is an herb, not a tea plant, so it contains no caffeine. You can drink it any time of day without worrying about sleep disruption. Some commercial blends mix lemongrass with black or green tea, which do contain caffeine, so check the label if caffeine sensitivity is a concern.

How much lemongrass tea should I drink daily?

One to three cups daily is considered safe for most adults. Steep fresh or dried lemongrass in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes. More is not necessarily better—the compounds in lemongrass work at modest concentrations, and excessive amounts may increase the risk of side effects or interactions.

Can I use lemongrass if I take blood pressure or cholesterol medication?

Lemongrass is unlikely to cause problems, but because it may have mild effects on cholesterol and blood sugar, mention it to your doctor if you drink it regularly. Your doctor can monitor your levels and adjust medication if needed. Do not stop taking prescribed medication in favor of lemongrass.

Is fresh lemongrass better than dried or extract?

Fresh, dried, and extract all contain the active compounds, but in different concentrations. Dried lemongrass and tea bags are convenient and stable. Extracts are more concentrated but less studied in humans. For a typical cup of tea, dried lemongrass or fresh stalks steeped in hot water are the most common and well-tolerated forms.

Will lemongrass help me lose weight?

There is no human evidence that lemongrass promotes weight loss. Some marketing claims suggest it "boosts metabolism" or "burns fat," but these are not supported by research. Lemongrass may support overall wellness as part of a healthy diet, but it is not a weight-loss tool on its own.