Lemongrass and Lemon Verbena Tea

Why people make this tea

Modern life is full of low-grade, chronic tiredness — not the satisfying tiredness after a good workout, but the foggy, heavy-limbed fatigue that follows a restless night or a stressful week. Sometimes even after adequate sleep, people still feel like they can’t quite wake up. This can be linked to thyroid issues, depression, obesity, or just the cumulative toll of a high-pressure lifestyle. Lemongrass has a wonderfully bright, lemony character that feels reviving and uplifting, and lemon verbena brings a delicate floral note alongside its traditional reputation for calming the nervous system and easing headaches. Brewing these two together creates a fragrant cup that is genuinely refreshing without the jitteriness of caffeine. A simple, pleasant daily ritual.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for most adults as a daily wellness tea
• Particularly associated with those experiencing mental fatigue, tension headaches, mild bloating, or nervous restlessness
• Bro Niu notes: persistent or excessive drowsiness may indicate a serious underlying cause — heart disease, impending stroke, diabetes or thyroid problems. Always seek medical assessment if the drowsiness is significant

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Lemongrass (xiang mao): Used widely in Southeast Asian cooking and herbal medicine. In traditional food therapy, lemongrass is associated with warming the stomach, relieving bloating, dispelling wind and cold, and stimulating circulation. Its bright citrus aroma has a gentle uplifting, reviving quality.
• Lemon verbena (ning meng ma bian cao): A herb of European origin now widely available in dried form. Associated with calming the nervous system, easing tension headaches, and supporting digestion. Its delicate lemon fragrance is gentler and more floral than lemongrass.

Ingredients (2–3 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh lemongrass stalks	3 stalks	Bruise and slice before cooking
Dried lemon verbena	2 tablespoons
Water	4 bowls (~1 L)

Method

1. Bruise the lemongrass stalks with a rolling pin or the flat of a knife, then slice or roughly chop.
2. Place the lemongrass in a pot with 4 bowls of water and bring to a boil.
3. Simmer for about 15 minutes.
4. Add the lemon verbena and continue to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
5. Pour through a strainer into cups and enjoy warm.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea has a clean, bright, citrusy fragrance and is very pleasant to drink daily. It is naturally caffeine-free. The lemongrass must be bruised before cooking to release its aromatic oils — this step makes a real difference to the flavour. Dried lemongrass can also be used if fresh is not available; look for it alongside other dried herbs and flower teas at Chinese medicine shops or spice markets.

A word of caution: while this tea can help with mild everyday tiredness, persistent or extreme daytime drowsiness can sometimes signal a more serious health issue — including cardiovascular problems, early stroke risk, or thyroid disorders — especially in older people. If in doubt, please see a doctor.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Fanny): Where can I buy lemon verbena? Can I put it in a tea bag to steep? Bro Niu: Dried lemongrass and lemon verbena are available at Chinese or Asian grocers, specialist spice shops, and online herb suppliers. Yes, they can be combined and steeped in a tea bag.

• Q (A): My 91-year-old uncle has blocked heart arteries — the doctor says surgery is no longer possible. He has difficulty breathing and poor appetite. What tea or soup might help? Bro Niu: Try steeping American ginseng (花旗参) and mai dong (ophiopogon, 1 tablespoon each) as a daily tea — re-steep until flavour fades. Serve once daily for a week and see if there is improvement.

---

Published October 20, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.