If the monsoon rains have you thinking about starting a small herb garden, there is one plant that grows easily on a balcony and ends up flavouring everything from your evening cup of tea to a warm bowl of soup. That plant is lemongrass, and horticulture experts say the rainy season is actually the best time to plant it at home.
Why the Rainy Season Works Best for Lemongrass
Dr Kamlesh Ahirwar, a horticulture scientist at the Nowgong Krishi Vigyan Kendra, explains that this medicinal grass takes root with very little effort once the rains set in. According to him, lemongrass is used in everything from tea to soup, and growing it at home does not demand much work at all.
How to Plant It in a Pot
Dr Ahirwar says the process starts with pulling out a lemongrass clump along with its roots from an existing plant. That rooted clump can then be planted straight into a pot or directly into the ground at home. Interestingly, the grass takes hold even in rocky, poor quality soil, and it does not need any fertiliser to grow. The only real requirement is watering it from time to time. With that regular watering, the plant is fully ready in about 4 months.
A Cup of Tea Without Any Tea Leaves
Just like ginger is crushed and added to tea, lemongrass can be crushed to extract its juice, and that juice alone is enough to brew a cup of tea, no tea leaves required. According to Dr Ahirwar, this tea has no known side effects. Because the plant stays green all year round, all 12 months, it is always on hand whenever guests drop by and can be served a cup of fresh lemongrass tea.
The Health Benefits Behind Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass tea is considered a natural herbal drink with a long list of health benefits.
- Better digestion: it helps ease stomach gas, bloating and indigestion.
- Stress and sleep relief: its mild fragrance is said to calm the nerves, lowering anxiety and improving sleep.
- Stronger immunity: the antioxidants it contains help strengthen the body's disease resistance and guard against colds and coughs.
- Weight management: the tea is said to speed up metabolism and flush toxins out of the body.
