Edible grass

Teas as we know it in today’s world come in variant varieties.
Aside water, beers and other liquor, tea seems to be the other beverage if you like that is widely consumed.

It is made generally by either boiling the leave in water or adding hot water to the leaves or powder as the case maybe. The sophistication in the making has literarily gone beyond what our fore father use to know about this beverage called tea.
But my focus for this write up is basically centered on a particular brand of natural tea called lemon grass, and the part of the world where I come from it is called “tea elewe” in literary translation it means leaf tea.

It is interesting to mention that almost in every part of the world, we have different kind of tea native to that part.
What is lemongrass? Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall grass like crop that is mostly found and native to sub-tropical climates of Africa, Asia and Australia. India is the highest producer of lemongrass, producing over 2 million pounds a year, where it is cultivated along the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim in the Himalayan Mountains.



Lemon Grass Plant: Picture taken with Android Phone


It is very interesting to note that with the many medicinal properties of this herb, growing it is very easy. Just get a fresh plant, trim a couple of inches away from the top of the lemon grass plant and ensure that you peel away anything that looks dead on the plant. Take the stalks and put in a small bowl or glass of water and place outside in the reach of the sun.
After a few weeks, you should start noticing tiny roots springing out from the bottom of the stalk. Just wait a while for the root to mature a bit before transplanting in the soil. There and then you leave it, for nature to take it full course.
Health benefit.
My major concern is the many health benefit of his plant. The leaves and oil are used to make medicine.
• Clears Stomach ache or disorder
• Helps digestion
• Effective antiseptic agent
• Heals flu and cold
• Detoxify the body
• Boost immune system.
But it is so sad to know that despite all this good medicinal properties of the lemongrass, it is not readily available and so many people know close to nothing about the tea.
Hence, I am using this medium to raise our awareness about the plant and we can all have it within our reach by planting it in our gardens.