When comparing lemongrass tea vs lemon balm tea, I’m often struck by how these two calming herbs have earned their places in wellness traditions across the world. Lemon balm has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years for everything from headaches and tension to memory restoration. In fact, this member of the mint family has been particularly valued since the Middle Ages as a sleep aid and anxiety reliever.
Meanwhile, lemongrass tells a different story, finding its popularity in Southeast Asian cuisine, where it’s known as sera or sereh. However, its benefits extend far beyond flavor, as lemongrass is known for its impressive antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Both herbs make wonderful teas with distinct benefits – lemon balm tea may improve mood and cognitive function, while lemongrass tea can improve sleep quality and boost mood in its own right.
Although these herbs might sound similar and both offer calming effects, they differ significantly in their origins, properties, and ideal uses. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore which of these herbal teas might be better suited for your specific needs when seeking natural calm and relaxation.
Botanical and Physical Differences
Despite their similar lemony names and calming properties, lemongrass and lemon balm are fundamentally different plants with distinct botanical characteristics. Understanding these differences helps explain why their teas offer unique benefits.
Plant Family: Mint vs Grass
Lemon balm belongs to the Lamiaceae or mint family, evidently sharing characteristics with other mint relatives. As part of this family, lemon balm features square stems and opposite leaves—distinctive traits of the mint family. The Lamiaceae is remarkably diverse, containing over 7,000 species across 238 genera, making it the sixth-largest plant family.
In contrast, lemongrass comes from the Gramineae family, the same family that includes bamboo, rice, and bluegrass. Grasses feature narrow, linear leaves that are often 20-50 times as long as wide, with strong, fibrous root systems. Additionally, most grasses have small, inconspicuous flowers typically positioned at the top of their stems.
Leaf and Stem Structure: Wrinkled vs Blade-like
The leaf structures of these plants couldn’t be more different. Lemon balm has light green, oval-shaped leaves with toothed, scalloped edges that appear slightly wrinkled or crinkled. Furthermore, lemon balm plants develop many branches with thick, dense foliage, especially during early spring.
Lemongrass, true to its name, has blade-like leaves that are long, thin, and feature pointed margins. Its foliage grows on stems shorter than 3 inches in length, with bases that are slightly swollen—this lower portion being the most prized part of the plant. Due to this structure, lemongrass has a more defined, grassy appearance compared to the bushy nature of lemon balm.
Growth Height: 2ft vs 6ft
Another key point in the lemongrass tea vs lemon balm tea comparison is their significant height difference. Lemon balm typically reaches modest heights of about 2-3 feet. Under those circumstances where it’s not maintained, it may grow slightly taller, but generally remains relatively compact.
Lemongrass, on the other hand, can tower over lemon balm, reaching heights of up to 6 feet in ideal conditions. Most commonly, lemongrass plants grow to about 3 feet tall, though in perfect growing environments, they can stretch to impressive heights of 10 feet. This height difference reflects their different growth habits and native environments.
The taste distinction between lemongrass tea vs lemon balm tea stems primarily from their unique chemical compositions, creating remarkably different sensory experiences.
Lemon Balm: Mild, Minty Citrus
Lemon balm offers a gentle, refreshing flavor profile characterized by subtle lemony notes with distinct minty undertones. This delicate herb produces a smooth, mildly sweet infusion without the tartness associated with actual lemons. Consequently, the tea requires little to no sweetener, making it ideal for those monitoring sugar intake. Its zesty scent creates an aromatic experience that exceeds its subtle flavor impact.
Lemongrass: Sharp, Zesty Citrus with Ginger Notes
In contrast, lemongrass delivers a bold, intense citrus flavor that’s distinctly sharp and refreshing. Unlike lemon balm’s gentleness, lemongrass tea features prominent notes of citral, creating that distinctive lemony taste without acidity. Moreover, lemongrass contains subtle hints of ginger and mint, offering a slightly sweet undertone with a crisp, brisk finish.
How Aroma Affects Calming Sensation
The scent profile of these teas substantially influences their calming effects. Essentially, smell connects directly to the limbic system—the brain region controlling emotions and sleep cycles. Through this pathway, both herbs’ aromas signal the body to relax. Aromatics from these teas also stimulate saliva secretion, creating physical comfort sensations. This sensory experience creates conditioned responses, training your body to associate these scents with relaxation.
Health Benefits and Calming Effects
Both lemongrass and lemon balm offer unique therapeutic properties backed by scientific research, making their teas valuable additions to wellness routines.
Stress Relief: Lemon Balm for Anxiety vs Lemongrass for Tension
Lemon balm stands out as a potent anxiety reducer. Research shows it significantly improves anxiety levels in post-surgery patients, with 49% reporting reduced anxiety after taking 500 mg three times daily for a week. Its compounds have documented relaxing and sedative effects that help manage laboratory-induced stress.
In comparison, lemongrass helps lower blood pressure through vasodilation and nervous system calming effects. This makes it particularly effective for physical tension rather than mental anxiety.
Sleep Support: Sedative Properties of Lemon Balm
Lemon balm truly shines as a sleep aid. Studies reveal that 54% of coronary bypass surgery patients experienced improved sleep after taking lemon balm supplements. It may even help with children’s teeth grinding during sleep. This herb’s mild sedative properties promote relaxation before bedtime, making it an ideal evening tea.
Digestive Aid: Lemongrass for Bloating and Detox
Lemongrass excels at digestive support. Its essential oils help protect stomach lining against damage and reduce bloating. As a natural diuretic, lemongrass tea increases urination, eliminating excess fluid and sodium. One study found lemongrass tea increased urine output more than other beverages.
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties
Both herbs contain significant antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Lemongrass demonstrates antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties in laboratory studies. Similarly, lemon balm contains potent antioxidants that combat oxidative stress through its phenolic compounds.
The practical aspect of preparing lemongrass tea vs lemon balm tea reveals key differences that impact their effectiveness for calming purposes. Let’s explore how to get the most from each herb.
Best Brewing Methods for Each Herb
For lemon balm tea, add 1 teaspoon of dried herb (or 3-5 tablespoons fresh) to 8 oz of just-boiled water and steep covered for 5 minutes. Covering the tea prevents essential oils from escaping with the steam. For lemongrass, bruise the stalks first to release their oils before steeping in boiling water for 4-5 minutes. Some enthusiasts prefer a longer steep of 30 minutes for a stronger lemongrass infusion.
Fresh vs Dried Leaves: Which Retains More Benefits?
Fresh lemon balm clearly outshines its dried counterpart, as it notably preserves more flavor and medicinal properties. In contrast, dried lemongrass concentrates its flavor profile, making it more potent—typically 1 teaspoon of dried equals one fresh stalk. For both herbs, fresh leaves should be muddled gently to release oils without extracting bitter chlorophyll.
Surprisingly, these herbs cannot effectively replace each other in teas. As noted by experts, “one plant cannot replace the other in tea”. Their distinct benefits—lemon balm for sleep support and lemongrass for weight regulation—create entirely different therapeutic experiences.
Lemon Balm Tea and Lemongrass Tea Key Features Compared
Characteristic
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemongrass Tea
Botanical Family
Lamiaceae (Mint family)
Gramineae (Grass family)
Plant Height
2-3 feet
Up to 6 feet (can reach 10 feet)
Leaf Structure
Oval-shaped, wrinkled, with toothed edges
Long, thin, blade-like with pointed margins
Flavor Profile
Mild, minty citrus with subtle lemony notes
Sharp, zesty citrus with ginger notes
Primary Calming Effect
Anxiety reduction and mental relaxation
Physical tension relief and blood pressure reduction
Final Thoughts on Lemon Balm Tea and Lemongrass Tea
Throughout this exploration of lemongrass tea vs lemon balm tea, we’ve discovered two remarkable herbs with distinct properties despite their similar lemony names. Both offer calming benefits, albeit through different pathways and mechanisms.
Lemon balm clearly stands out as the superior choice for anxiety relief and sleep support. Its long history of medicinal use spanning over 2,000 years speaks to its effectiveness in calming the mind and promoting restful sleep. The mild, minty citrus flavor creates a gentle sensory experience that soothes without overwhelming the palate.
Lemongrass, however, excels in areas where lemon balm doesn’t specifically shine. This tall, grass-family member provides exceptional digestive support, reduces bloating, and helps relieve physical tension rather than mental anxiety. Additionally, its sharp, zesty flavor with subtle ginger notes offers a more vibrant sensory experience.
Choosing between these teas ultimately depends on your specific needs. Consider lemon balm when mental calm and sleep improvement are your primary goals. Alternatively, select lemongrass when physical tension, digestion issues, or a desire for a more pronounced flavor profile guide your choice.
The botanical differences between these plants—from their families to growth heights and leaf structures—explain why they cannot substitute for each other. Therefore, many tea enthusiasts eventually find room for both in their wellness routines, using each strategically for different situations.
Most importantly, both teas offer natural, plant-based paths to greater calm and well-being. Whether you’re drawn to the gentle embrace of lemon balm or the bright, vibrant notes of lemongrass, either choice represents a step toward natural wellness and mindful self-care. The perfect cup awaits—you simply need to match your specific needs with the unique strengths of each remarkable herb.
Key Takeaways
When choosing between these two calming herbal teas, understanding their distinct properties helps you select the right one for your specific wellness needs.
• Lemon balm excels for mental calm: Reduces anxiety by 49% and improves sleep quality in 54% of users, making it ideal for evening relaxation and stress relief.
• Lemongrass targets physical tension: Acts as a natural diuretic, reduces bloating, and lowers blood pressure through nervous system calming effects.
• They’re botanically different plants: Lemon balm belongs to the mint family with wrinkled leaves, while lemongrass is from the grass family with blade-like foliage.
• Flavor profiles serve different preferences: Lemon balm offers mild, minty citrus notes, while lemongrass delivers sharp, zesty citrus with ginger undertones.
• Fresh vs dried matters differently: Fresh lemon balm retains more benefits, while dried lemongrass becomes more concentrated and potent for brewing.
Both teas offer unique pathways to natural wellness—lemon balm for mental tranquility and sleep support, lemongrass for digestive health and physical tension relief. Consider keeping both in your tea collection to address different wellness needs throughout your day.
Q1. What are the main differences between lemongrass and lemon balm? Lemongrass and lemon balm are distinct plants with different properties. Lemon balm belongs to the mint family, has wrinkled leaves, and grows to about 2-3 feet tall. Lemongrass, part of the grass family, has blade-like leaves and can reach up to 6 feet in height. Their flavors also differ, with lemon balm offering a mild, minty citrus taste, while lemongrass provides a sharp, zesty citrus flavor with ginger notes.
Q2. How do lemongrass and lemon balm teas affect stress and anxiety? Lemon balm tea is particularly effective for reducing anxiety and promoting mental relaxation. Studies show it can decrease anxiety levels by up to 49% in some cases. Lemongrass tea, on the other hand, is better suited for relieving physical tension and lowering blood pressure through its calming effects on the nervous system.
Q3. Which tea is better for improving sleep quality? Lemon balm tea is the superior choice for improving sleep quality. Research indicates that 54% of users experienced better sleep after consuming lemon balm. Its sedative properties make it an ideal evening tea for promoting relaxation and aiding in falling asleep.
Q4. What are the digestive benefits of lemongrass tea?Lemongrass tea excels in providing digestive support. It helps reduce bloating, acts as a natural diuretic, and can increase urination to eliminate excess fluid and sodium from the body. These properties make it beneficial for overall digestive health and detoxification.
Q5. How should lemongrass and lemon balm teas be prepared for maximum benefits? For lemon balm tea, use 1 teaspoon of dried herb (or 3-5 tablespoons fresh) per 8 oz of just-boiled water and steep covered for 5 minutes to preserve essential oils. For lemongrass tea, bruise the stalks before steeping in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for a stronger infusion. Fresh lemon balm leaves are preferred for more benefits, while dried lemongrass is more concentrated in flavor.
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