Table of Contents
As the monsoon rain keeps Ahmedabad and most of India cool and grey this August, lemongrass tea has become a go-to cup for many households. But before you make it a daily ritual, it helps to understand the real lemongrass tea side effects, not just the benefits everyone talks about.
Lemongrass is genuinely wonderful — fragrant, calming, and rich in Vitamin C. But like any herbal ingredient, drinking it in excess or on an empty stomach every single day can cause a few issues that are rarely mentioned online.
This guide breaks down what actually happens when you drink lemongrass tea daily, how much is safe, and why a blended option like Fresh n Flavour’s Freshful Chai may be a gentler everyday alternative to straight lemongrass infusions.
What Are the Lemongrass Tea Side Effects You Should Know?
The most commonly reported lemongrass tea side effects include mild stomach upset, dizziness, dry mouth, and lowered blood sugar levels when consumed in large quantities on an empty stomach. Most reactions are minor, but they’re worth knowing before daily use.
Digestive Discomfort
Lemongrass is naturally used for digestive comfort in traditional Ayurveda, but too much of it — three or more strong cups a day — can sometimes cause mild bloating or a queasy stomach, especially if your tea is brewed very concentrated.
Dizziness and Dry Mouth
Some people report a light-headed feeling or dry mouth after drinking lemongrass tea repeatedly through the day. This is usually linked to its mild diuretic nature, which can affect hydration levels if you’re not drinking enough water alongside it.
Effect on Blood Sugar
Lemongrass is traditionally valued for supporting healthy digestion and metabolism, but people on blood sugar medication should be cautious, as very high daily intake may interact with their treatment. Always consult a doctor if you’re on regular medication.
Try it yourself
Freshful Chai
★★★★★ (17)Lemongrass chai patti — Premium chai patti online — Freshful blends Assam CTC with Dooars black tea, lemongrass…
(incl. GST)
Shop now →Why Do These Side Effects Happen?
Most lemongrass tea side effects occur due to over-concentration — brewing the leaves too strong, drinking it too many times a day, or having it on an empty stomach without any food buffer.
Concentration Matters
A single lemongrass stalk boiled for 10+ minutes releases far more essential oils than a light infusion. This concentrated brew is where most reported discomfort comes from — not from lemongrass itself in moderate quantities.
Empty Stomach Consumption
Drinking any strong herbal tea first thing in the morning without eating anything can irritate the stomach lining for sensitive individuals. This applies to lemongrass tea just as it does to strong black coffee or green tea.
This is actually one reason Fresh n Flavour blends lemongrass with milk-friendly CTC tea rather than serving it alone — the tea base and warm milk soften the intensity considerably.
How Much Lemongrass Tea Is Safe Daily?
Most wellness references suggest 1-2 cups of moderately brewed lemongrass tea daily is generally well tolerated by healthy adults. Pregnant women and those on regular medication should check with a doctor first.
Listen to Your Body
If you notice any stomach discomfort, dizziness, or unusual dryness in the mouth, it’s a signal to reduce the quantity or brewing strength rather than cutting it out completely.
Balance With Food
Having your lemongrass tea alongside a light breakfast rather than on a completely empty stomach significantly reduces the chances of any digestive discomfort, especially during the humid monsoon season when digestion tends to feel sluggish.
According to Wikipedia’s entry on lemongrass, the plant has been used in traditional medicine systems across Asia for centuries, primarily in moderate infused quantities rather than concentrated extracts.
Lemongrass Tea vs Lemongrass Chai: Which Is Gentler?
Blended lemongrass chai, made with black tea, milk, and warming spices, is generally gentler on the stomach than pure lemongrass tea because the milk and other botanicals buffer its intensity and dilute the concentration significantly.
The Buffering Effect of Milk and Spice
When lemongrass is paired with cardamom, mint, and nutmeg — as it is in several Fresh n Flavour blends — the combination is traditionally valued for digestive comfort rather than causing irritation. This is the exact principle behind their no-acidity recipe.
Why Freshful Chai Works Well Here
Fresh n Flavour’s Freshful Chai combines Assam CTC with Dooars black tea, lemongrass, and green cardamom in a hand-blended Mamri Dana cut — a slightly coarser leaf style than standard CTC that releases flavour more gradually during brewing, giving a smoother, less sharp lemongrass note per cup.
This gradual release is exactly why people who found straight lemongrass tea a bit harsh often switch comfortably to a blended chai format instead.
| Factor | Pure Lemongrass Tea | Freshful Chai (Blended) |
|---|---|---|
| Intensity | Strong, concentrated | Balanced, milk-softened |
| Best time to drink | Post-meal, not empty stomach | Morning or evening, with or after food |
| Stomach sensitivity | Higher risk if over-brewed | Lower, due to milk and cardamom buffer |
| Flavour profile | Sharp, citrusy | Rounded, aromatic, mellow |
| Daily suitability | 1-2 cups recommended | 2-3 cups comfortably |
As documented in Harold Mann’s 1918 study of Assam tea cultivation, blending regional black teas with local botanicals has long been part of how Indian households made strong tea gentler and more suited to daily drinking — a tradition Fresh n Flavour continues today.
Try it yourself
Delightful Chai
Delightful Chai Patti Online — Delightful blends Assam CTC with Darjeeling Second Flush, lemongrass & botanicals. The best…
(incl. GST)
Shop now →Which One Should You Pick?
If you love the citrusy freshness of lemongrass but want to avoid lemongrass tea side effects like stomach discomfort, start with a blended option rather than a strong standalone brew.
- If you’re new to lemongrass: Try Freshful Chai — its Mamri Dana cut gives a gentle, gradual lemongrass note.
- If acidity or an empty-stomach cup bothers you: Go for Delightful Chai, which combines lemongrass with mint and nutmeg for extra digestive comfort.
- If you want bold, spicier notes alongside lemongrass: Flavourful Chai uses Dooars CTC with lemongrass and spearmint for a bolder cup.
- If you truly prefer pure lemongrass infusions: Keep it to 1-2 cups daily, always with food, and avoid over-brewing.
This monsoon season, as Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day gatherings bring family together over warm cups, a blended chai is often the more crowd-friendly, stomach-friendly choice compared to straight herbal lemongrass tea.
Fresh n Flavour hand-blends every batch in small quantities in Ahmedabad, ensuring the lemongrass-to-tea ratio stays consistent cup after cup — something loose homemade blends often struggle to get right. Enjoy Goodness in Every Sip, the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Shop the blends in this guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Try it yourself
Flavourful Chai
★★★★★ (3)Flavourful chai patti online — bold Dooars CTC base blended with lemongrass, spearmint and exotic spices. Premium chai…
(incl. GST)
Shop now →