Lemongrass and Sugar Ginger Tea

Why people make this tea

There is a particular irony to summer in many cities: the heat outside is sweltering, but step into any office, restaurant, or metro carriage and you’re hit by blasting cold air. This constant movement between extremes — hot and cold, sweating and chilling — is one of the most common triggers for what Chinese medicine calls “wind-cold”: headache, stiff neck, aching lower back and knees, and general muscle tightness that feels impossible to shake. Nourilo’s lemongrass and ginger tea is designed for exactly this pattern. Lemongrass disperses wind and opens the channels; ginger warms the surface and breaks up stagnation; together they create a drink that is fragrant, approachable, and noticeably warming.

Method

1. Rinse the lemongrass. Slice into 3–4 cm pieces or bruise lightly with the flat of a knife to release the aroma.
2. Peel and slice the ginger.
3. Place lemongrass and ginger in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium simmer. Cook for 20 minutes until reduced to about 900 ml.
5. Add rock sugar or brown sugar, stir until dissolved. Serve warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is fragrant and pleasant enough to enjoy regularly during summer. It can help ease a mild cold-related fever. The whole family can drink it, and young children can have half to one cup. However, those who run warm or have a tendency to feel hot and dry should steer clear — the warming herbs in this tea could worsen heat symptoms.