A tea made with ginger, lemongrass, and cinnamon can be a flavorful beverage and may offer some health benefits, but it’s important to keep expectations realistic. It is not a cure for disease or a substitute for medical treatment.
Potential Benefits
- Ginger
- May help reduce nausea (such as motion sickness or pregnancy-related nausea).
- Has anti-inflammatory compounds and may provide modest relief for some types of pain.
- Lemongrass
- Contains antioxidants.
- Traditionally used to aid digestion, though high-quality evidence for many health claims is limited.
- Cinnamon
- Contains antioxidant compounds.
- May have a modest effect on blood sugar in some people with type 2 diabetes, but it should not replace prescribed diabetes treatment.
Simple Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) fresh ginger, sliced
- 1 stalk fresh lemongrass, bruised and cut into pieces (or 1–2 teaspoons dried lemongrass)
- 1 small cinnamon stick (or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- 2 cups (500 mL) water
Directions
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Add the ginger, lemongrass, and cinnamon.
- Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- Strain and serve. Add lemon or a small amount of honey if desired.
A Few Precautions
- Ginger and cinnamon may increase the risk of bleeding in some people, especially if consumed in large amounts while taking blood-thinning medications.
- Some types of cinnamon (especially cassia cinnamon) contain coumarin, which can be harmful to the liver if consumed in large quantities over time.
- If you are pregnant, have liver disease, or take prescription medications, it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare professional before regularly consuming concentrated herbal preparations.
Enjoyed in moderation, this tea can be a comforting part of a balanced diet, but claims that it can “heal” a wide range of illnesses are not supported by strong scientific evidence.
