Is Lemongrass Tea Better Than Green Tea? A Comprehensive Comparison

November 15, 2025 •

5 min read

Globally, herbal teas like lemongrass are gaining popularity as caffeine-free alternatives to traditional teas like green tea. The question of whether is lemongrass tea better than green tea depends entirely on individual health needs, from sleep support to metabolic boosts and antioxidant intake.

Quick Summary

This article compares lemongrass tea and green tea, highlighting their differences in caffeine, antioxidants, and health benefits to help you decide which beverage is best for your personal wellness goals.

Key Points

Caffeine-Free Relaxation: Lemongrass tea is an ideal choice for evening consumption, offering calming effects without caffeine to promote better sleep.
Metabolic Boost: Green tea is rich in EGCG and caffeine, which can increase metabolic rate and enhance fat-burning for weight management.
Digestive Health: Lemongrass tea is traditionally used to aid digestion, reduce bloating, and soothe upset stomachs effectively.
Antioxidant Power: While both contain antioxidants, green tea's EGCG has been more extensively studied for its potential to protect against chronic diseases.
Hydration and Detox: The diuretic properties of lemongrass tea help flush out excess fluids and toxins, assisting the body's natural detoxification process.
Brain Function: The combination of caffeine and L-theanine in green tea can improve focus and cognitive function, providing a steady energy boost.
Choose by Goal: The 'better' tea depends on individual needs—lemongrass for relaxation and digestion, green tea for energy and metabolic support.

Unpacking the Difference: Lemongrass vs. Green Tea

When choosing a hot beverage for its health benefits, lemongrass and green tea are two of the most popular options. While both are celebrated for their wellness properties, they hail from completely different plant sources and offer distinct advantages. Lemongrass tea is a caffeine-free herbal infusion with a calming, citrusy flavor profile, while green tea, derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, contains caffeine and is renowned for its potent antioxidants. Understanding these differences is key to deciding which brew best suits your lifestyle and health objectives. This article will provide a detailed comparison to help you determine if lemongrass tea is better than green tea for your specific needs.

Lemongrass Tea: A Calming, Caffeine-Free Choice

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall, grassy tropical herb prized for its refreshing, lemony scent and flavor. As a natural herbal tea, it is entirely free of caffeine, making it a perfect choice for those who are caffeine-sensitive or prefer a relaxing drink in the evening. Its primary benefits are often linked to its calming effects and digestive support.

Unique Benefits of Lemongrass Tea

Promotes Relaxation and Sleep: Compounds like citral provide a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to alleviate stress and promote restful sleep.
Supports Digestive Health: Lemongrass tea has been used traditionally to soothe upset stomachs, relieve bloating, and combat indigestion. Studies also suggest it can protect the stomach lining against damage.
Acts as a Natural Diuretic: It is a known diuretic, increasing urine output to help the body flush out excess fluids and sodium, which can aid in detoxification and reduce bloating.
Contains Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties: Lemongrass contains antioxidants that help scavenge free radicals and has been shown to have antimicrobial and antifungal characteristics.
May Help Lower Blood Pressure: Research has indicated that lemongrass tea can have a moderate effect on reducing systolic blood pressure.

Green Tea: The Antioxidant Powerhouse

Green tea is made from the steamed and dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, and it is not fermented. This minimal processing allows it to retain a high concentration of beneficial compounds, most notably a type of polyphenol called catechin. Green tea's popularity stems from its extensive research and broad range of health advantages, though its caffeine content can be a consideration for some.

Core Advantages of Green Tea

Rich in Powerful Antioxidants: It is packed with catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which fight inflammation and minimize cellular damage from free radicals.
Boosts Metabolism and Fat Burning: Studies suggest that EGCG and caffeine in green tea can increase metabolic rate and enhance fat burning, supporting weight management efforts.
Enhances Brain Function: The combination of a moderate amount of caffeine and the amino acid L-theanine can improve cognitive function, focus, and alertness without the jittery effects associated with coffee.
Supports Cardiovascular Health: Regular consumption of green tea has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and improving blood flow.
Aids Blood Sugar Regulation: Green tea can help improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels, beneficial for those with or at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Lemongrass Tea vs. Green Tea: Choosing Your Best Brew

The table below provides a clear, side-by-side comparison of the key characteristics of lemongrass and green tea.


Feature	Lemongrass Tea	Green Tea
Caffeine Content	None (Caffeine-free)	Moderate (~28-30 mg per 8 oz cup)
Primary Benefits	Calming, digestive aid, diuretic, relaxation	Antioxidant support, metabolism boost, cognitive function
Best Time to Drink	Anytime, especially evenings for sleep	Morning or afternoon for an energy and focus boost
Key Compounds	Citral, antioxidants	Catechins (EGCG), L-theanine, caffeine
Flavor Profile	Refreshing citrus, lemony	Earthy, grassy, slightly astringent
Impact on Sleep	Promotes restful sleep	Can interfere with sleep due to caffeine
Primary Research Area	Calming effects, digestion, blood pressure	Antioxidants, metabolism, chronic disease prevention

Conclusion: Personal Goals Define 'Better'

Ultimately, deciding if is lemongrass tea better than green tea is a personal choice based on your individual health needs and preferences. If you are seeking a soothing, caffeine-free beverage to aid digestion, promote relaxation, and assist with sleep, lemongrass tea is the clear winner. Its natural diuretic and calming properties offer a gentle, holistic approach to wellness. However, if your goal is to boost metabolism, enhance mental alertness, and maximize your intake of potent antioxidants like EGCG, green tea is the superior choice. Its well-researched effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health make it a powerhouse for a healthy start to your day. For some, a blend of both may be ideal, enjoying the energizing effects of green tea in the morning and winding down with a cup of calming lemongrass tea in the evening. There is no single 'better' tea, only the best option for your specific goals. You can explore the potential benefits of both teas to see which one fits your wellness routine. For more information on the benefits of different teas, resources like Healthline offer in-depth comparisons.

What are the key differences between lemongrass tea and green tea?

Caffeine: Lemongrass tea is naturally caffeine-free, while green tea contains a moderate amount of caffeine.
Origin: Lemongrass tea is a herbal tea made from a tropical grass, whereas green tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.
Primary Benefits: Lemongrass is known for its calming and digestive aid properties, while green tea is renowned for its antioxidant content and metabolism-boosting effects.

What is lemongrass tea good for?

Lemongrass tea is beneficial for promoting relaxation, aiding digestion, acting as a natural diuretic, and providing antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits. It is often enjoyed to help with sleep and reduce bloating.

What are the health benefits of green tea?

Green tea is rich in powerful antioxidants like EGCG, boosts metabolism, enhances brain function due to caffeine and L-theanine, and supports cardiovascular health. It has also been linked to weight management and improved blood sugar regulation.

Is lemongrass tea better for sleep than green tea?

Yes, lemongrass tea is better for sleep as it is caffeine-free and has calming effects, making it an ideal evening beverage. The caffeine in green tea can interfere with sleep patterns, especially if consumed late in the day.

Which tea is better for weight management?

Both have potential benefits for weight management. Green tea's catechins and caffeine can boost metabolism and fat burning. Lemongrass tea acts as a diuretic and aids digestion, reducing bloating and supporting detoxification. The 'better' option depends on whether you prefer a metabolic boost or a focus on reducing water retention and aiding digestion.

Can I mix lemongrass and green tea?

Yes, you can mix them to create a unique blend that combines the calming, citrusy flavor of lemongrass with the antioxidant-rich properties and light caffeine of green tea. This can provide a balanced experience.

Is one tea higher in antioxidants than the other?

While both are rich in antioxidants, the types differ. Green tea's primary antioxidant is EGCG, and some studies suggest Camellia sinensis teas may have higher overall antioxidant activity compared to lemongrass alone. Lemongrass contains antioxidants like citral.

Is it safe to drink lemongrass tea and green tea every day?

For most healthy individuals, drinking either tea daily in moderation is generally safe and beneficial. It's always best to consult a doctor, especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant, or are taking medication.

Which tea is better for someone sensitive to caffeine?

Lemongrass tea is the better choice for anyone sensitive to caffeine, as it is naturally caffeine-free and offers relaxing, soothing benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main differences are in their caffeine content, primary health benefits, and flavor. Lemongrass tea is caffeine-free and known for calming and digestive benefits, while green tea contains caffeine and is prized for its high antioxidant and metabolism-boosting properties.

Lemongrass tea is beneficial for promoting relaxation, aiding digestion, acting as a natural diuretic, and providing antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits. It is an excellent choice for evening relaxation and to help with sleep.

Green tea is rich in powerful antioxidants like EGCG, which fight inflammation and cellular damage. It also boosts metabolism, enhances brain function, supports cardiovascular health, and aids in blood sugar regulation.

Yes, lemongrass tea is better for sleep as it is caffeine-free and known for its calming effects on the nervous system. Green tea's caffeine content can disrupt sleep patterns, making it unsuitable for nighttime consumption for many people.

Both have potential benefits, but they work differently. Green tea's catechins and caffeine boost metabolism and fat burning. Lemongrass tea acts as a diuretic and aids digestion, helping to reduce bloating and support detoxification. The best choice depends on your specific weight management strategy.

Yes, mixing lemongrass and green tea is a common practice that combines their respective benefits. This blend offers the calming, citrusy flavor of lemongrass with the antioxidant power and mild caffeine of green tea.

While both teas are rich in antioxidants, they contain different types. Green tea is particularly noted for EGCG, and some studies suggest that teas from the Camellia sinensis plant may have higher overall antioxidant activity compared to lemongrass. Lemongrass contains antioxidants like citral.

Green tea is best for the morning or afternoon due to its caffeine content, which provides an energy and focus boost. Lemongrass tea is ideal for the evening because it is caffeine-free and promotes relaxation and restful sleep.

Lemongrass tea is generally safe, though excessive consumption can act as a strong diuretic. Green tea should be consumed in moderation due to its caffeine content, and pregnant individuals should monitor intake. Always consult a healthcare professional with concerns.