Herbal & Flower Teas
Lemongrass Apple Tea
Traditionally used to warm the stomach, ease bloating, and support digestion
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu came across fresh lemongrass at a Southeast Asian grocery shop and used some to cook pork — a combination that perked up his appetite immediately. With the leftover stalks, he thought: why not make a simple warm drink? Two apples, a few slices of ginger, a little brown sugar — and the result was a fragrant, lightly sweet tea that settled the stomach beautifully.
Lemongrass is beloved across Southeast Asian cuisines not just for its flavor but for its traditional wellness applications. In Chinese food therapy it is associated with dispelling wind and dampness, and with easing pain. Combined with apple and warming ginger, this becomes a pleasant everyday drink that is easy to make and gentle on the body.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone experiencing stomach discomfort, mild bloating, indigestion, or a feeling of sluggishness after eating.
- Suitable for people with mild joint discomfort — the lemongrass-ginger combination is traditionally associated with supporting circulation and easing wind-damp patterns in the joints.
- Diabetics can enjoy this tea by omitting the brown sugar entirely — the apple still provides natural sweetness.
- Children from toddler age onward can drink this in small amounts (about half a bowl); there is no need to give it daily unless there is a specific reason such as occasional indigestion.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lemongrass (xiang mao): Widely used in Southeast Asian cooking, lemongrass is also a traditional folk remedy. Chinese food therapy associates it with dispelling wind-damp, reducing swelling, and easing pain — which is why it has a reputation for supporting joint comfort as well as digestion.
- Apple: Moist and mildly sweet, apple helps to smooth the digestive process and balances the warming character of the ginger and lemongrass, keeping the drink pleasant and not overly stimulating.
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): A classic warming ingredient, ginger is one of the most universally used ingredients in traditional Asian food therapy. It helps warm the stomach, supports circulation, and adds a pleasant heat that makes the whole drink feel settling.
- Brown sugar (hong tang): Adds gentle warmth and a rounded sweetness. It can be reduced or omitted based on personal preference or health needs.
Ingredients (3 bowls / 1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lemongrass | 3 stalks | Rinse, cut into segments |
| Apple | 2 medium | Rinse, remove core, cut into rough chunks; no need to peel |
| Fresh ginger | 3–4 slices | |
| Brown sugar | a small amount | Adjust to taste; omit for diabetics |
| Water | 5 bowls (~1 L) |
Method
- Rinse lemongrass stalks and cut into segments about 5 cm long. Lightly bruise with the back of a knife or a rolling pin to help release the fragrance.
- Rinse and soak apples (or wash thoroughly), remove the core, and cut into large rough chunks. There is no need to peel them.
- Place lemongrass, apple chunks, and ginger slices in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, until approximately 3 bowls of liquid remain.
- Add a small amount of brown sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Pour into cups and drink warm. You can eat the cooked apple pieces as well.
Bro Niu’s tips
This drink has traditionally been used for a range of everyday complaints: wind-damp joint discomfort, stomach ache, headache, indigestion, and a sense of internal stagnation or bloating. It is also associated in traditional food therapy with supporting healthy cholesterol levels and discouraging gallstone formation — though these are traditional associations, not clinical claims.
If you find yourself with leftover lemongrass from cooking, this is a lovely and simple way to make use of every stalk.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): Can a diabetic drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, diabetics can enjoy this tea — just leave out the sugar entirely.
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Q (Yoyo): I ate something that didn’t agree with me and vomited. Can I drink lemongrass apple water to settle my stomach? Bro Niu: Yes, this tea is suitable. You can also try simmering 7–8 garlic cloves with amaranth greens and lean pork — garlic is traditionally associated with inhibiting intestinal bacteria and supporting recovery. The whole family can drink that soup.
Published March 7, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
