What Happens When You Add Lemongrass to Green Tea? Benefits for Headaches and Stress

Adding lemongrass to green tea can give your daily cup a refreshing citrus flavour while providing antioxidants and compounds that may support relaxation. The combination of lemongrass and green tea for headaches is gaining attention as a simple home remedy for people looking to manage stress and tension. While both ingredients contain beneficial plant compounds, there is limited clinical evidence that this drink can directly relieve migraines.

Here is what you should know about its potential benefits and how it may fit into your daily routine.

Why Combine Green Tea and Lemongrass?

Green tea and lemongrass contain plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. When brewed together, they create a soothing drink that may help you relax, particularly when headaches are associated with stress or muscle tension.

Green tea contains catechins, including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which help protect cells against oxidative stress. Lemongrass contains citral and other aromatic compounds that have been studied for their potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.

However, laboratory findings do not necessarily translate into the same benefits when these ingredients are consumed as tea. More human studies are needed to establish whether this combination can reduce headache severity or frequency.

5 Potential Benefits of Adding Lemongrass to Green Tea

1. May Help Ease Stress-Related Headaches

Stress, anxiety and muscle tension can contribute to headaches. A warm cup of green tea with lemongrass may help you unwind after a tiring day.

Green tea contains L-theanine, an amino acid associated with relaxation and attention. Research suggests that L-theanine may help support stress management, although its effects can vary from person to person.

Lemongrass has a pleasant citrus aroma that may also make the tea feel calming. While relaxation could help some people manage stress-related discomfort, there is not enough evidence to conclude that the drink directly treats headaches.

2. Provides Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Green tea is rich in catechins, which have antioxidant properties and have been studied for their role in regulating inflammation. Lemongrass also contains compounds such as citral that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in experimental research.

These properties make both ingredients interesting additions to a balanced diet. However, the evidence does not establish that drinking lemongrass green tea reduces inflammation in the brain or treats migraine attacks.

3. May Support Relaxation and Better Sleep Routines

An evening tea ritual can help you slow down and relax, especially when stress and fatigue contribute to your discomfort.

Lemongrass is traditionally used in herbal preparations for its soothing qualities. However, claims that it acts as a sedative or reliably improves sleep in humans need stronger scientific evidence.

One important consideration is that green tea contains caffeine. Since caffeine can interfere with sleep in some people, those who are sensitive to it may prefer a caffeine-free herbal infusion, particularly in the evening.

4. Offers a Refreshing Alternative to Sugary Drinks

Lemongrass adds a naturally citrusy flavour to green tea, making it easier to enjoy without adding sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Replacing sugary beverages with unsweetened tea can be a simple way to reduce added sugar intake. Green tea also supplies beneficial plant compounds, while lemongrass contributes aroma and flavour.

Although the body naturally processes waste through organs such as the liver and kidneys, there is no strong evidence that lemongrass tea detoxifies the body or removes toxins responsible for headaches.

5. May Help You Build a Relaxing Daily Routine

For some people, taking a short break to prepare and drink tea can provide an opportunity to pause, hydrate and manage everyday stress.

A consistent routine involving adequate sleep, regular meals, hydration and relaxation may help people identify and manage certain headache triggers. Lemongrass green tea can be part of that routine, but it should not replace established migraine treatments.

What Does Science Say About Lemongrass and Green Tea?

Research into the individual ingredients offers some insight into their potential benefits, but the evidence needs to be interpreted carefully.

• Green tea catechins: Compounds such as EGCG have been studied for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• L-theanine: This amino acid is associated with relaxation and attention, although evidence regarding its effects on stress and cortisol levels in humans remains mixed.
• Lemongrass compounds: Citral and other constituents have shown promising biological effects in laboratory and preclinical research, including potential anti-inflammatory activity.

These findings do not prove that combining the two ingredients can prevent or cure migraines. More clinical trials are needed to determine the effectiveness, appropriate dosage and safety of this particular tea combination.

How to Make Lemongrass Green Tea at Home

You can prepare this aromatic drink with just a few ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of water
• 1 green tea bag or 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves
• 1 small fresh lemongrass stalk, lightly crushed, or a small amount of dried lemongrass
• Lemon or honey, optional

Method

1. Wash the lemongrass stalk thoroughly and cut it into small pieces.
2. Bring the water to a boil and simmer the lemongrass for around 5 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat and allow the water to cool slightly before adding the green tea.
4. Steep the green tea for 2–3 minutes, or follow the instructions on the packet.
5. Strain the drink, pour it into a cup and add a little lemon or honey if desired.

Avoid steeping green tea in boiling water for too long, as this can make it taste bitter.

Can Lemongrass Green Tea Treat Migraines?

Although this combination may be comforting, lemongrass green tea is not a proven treatment for migraines. Migraines are complex neurological conditions that can cause severe headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.

Caffeine can affect people with migraines differently. Some find that it helps during an attack, while others find that it triggers headaches, particularly when their intake varies significantly. Green tea also contains caffeine, so it is worth monitoring your response.

If you experience frequent or severe headaches, consult a healthcare professional to identify possible triggers and discuss appropriate treatment. Seek urgent medical attention for a sudden, extremely severe headache or one accompanied by weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, fever with a stiff neck or new vision problems.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Drinking It

Lemongrass green tea is generally a simple beverage to prepare, but a few precautions are worth considering:

• Watch your caffeine intake: Green tea may cause restlessness, palpitations or sleep problems in sensitive individuals.
• Avoid excessive consumption: Large amounts of lemongrass preparations have not been adequately studied for long-term safety.
• Check for allergies: Stop drinking the tea if you develop an allergic reaction.
• Seek medical advice when necessary: If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking regular medication or managing an existing medical condition, ask a healthcare professional before using concentrated herbal preparations.

Adding lemongrass stalks to green tea creates a fragrant, antioxidant-rich beverage that may support relaxation and help you build healthier daily habits. Its plant compounds have shown promising properties in research, but there is currently insufficient evidence that the combination can directly relieve migraines or prevent recurring headaches.

For better headache management, focus on regular sleep, adequate hydration, balanced meals and identifying personal triggers. Enjoy lemongrass green tea as a refreshing addition to your routine, rather than a substitute for medical care.