What is lemon tea?

You must have heard of black tea and green tea. Add some lemon juice to it and what you get is a drink with immense benefits. Lemon tea has been around for a long time and has gained more popularity due to its health benefits.

Lemon tea is prepared using black tea or green tea and by adding the right amount of lemon juice to it. When you add lemon juice to your tea, it changes the colour of tea. This effect is known as the bathochromic shift, and it also changes the taste of the tea. This unique taste makes it a wonderful cup of drink.

Drinking hot lemon tea first thing in the morning has become very popular these days. It is one of the best things to start your mornings with. 

One fluid ounce of lemon juice contains about 12–13 mg of Vitamin C. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin and also claimed to be one of the most effective and safest nutrients. It is a powerful antioxidant which synthesizes collagen, a protein which helps in making the blood vessels and body muscles stronger. It helps prevent scurvy, enhances the immune system to prevent the common cold, lowers hypertension, treats vasodilation, cures lead toxicity, cures cataract, boosts immunity, among various other benefits.

Since the body does not have any capacity to generate this vitamin naturally, it has to be received through food and other supplements. And lemon tea provides just that.

How to prepare lemon tea?

There are many ways to prepare lemon tea. The simplest way is to boil a glass of water with some tea leaves and a few slices of lemon. Cover for 2–3 minutes and let it steep. Drink while it’s warm. You can also add honey, spices like cinnamon and clove to enhance flavours and benefits. Another way could be to boil water with tea leaves and pour in a mug. Add the juice of one lemon in that and drink. You could also add sweetener if you wish. However, avoid putting sugar as sugar is just empty calories. Even though the benefits of hot lemon tea are abundant, you could also make a cup of iced lemon tea for yourself.

Benefits of lemon tea

1. Bioflavonoid Quercetin

Quercetin is a flavonoid, known for its potent antioxidant properties. Known for its naturally occurring anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory effects, studies report that this powerful phytochemical works hard to prevent or help alleviate the symptoms of a variety of conditions. It has also been proven important in cancer-fighting capabilities of the body. It helps in getting rid of the damaging free radicals from the body. Moreover, it inhibits the formation of LDL cholesterol. Citrus foods, such as lemon, are a good source of quercetin.

2. It aids digestion

Drinking lemon tea in the morning, on an empty stomach, aids digestion. The drink increases the stomach acid production and bile secretion which in turn helps in the breakdown of food materials and absorption of nutrients. The acidity of the lemon tea also helps in reducing the symptoms of indigestion, bloating and heartburn. It also reduces the incidence of infections throughout the gastrointestinal tract.  

3. Acts as diuretic

Lemon tea acts as a diuretic. Diuretics are substances that increase the production of urine. Lemon tea encourages the kidney to excrete more water. Diuretics are prescribed to treat hypertension, oedema and kidney stones caused by an excess amount of water in the body. It is also useful in the treatment of polycystic ovaries, osteoporosis and excessive hair growth in women.

4. Detoxifies the body

Lemon tea is a wonderful detoxifying drink. It helps clear out toxins from the body. Toxins enter the body due to various reasons, be it the pesticides or fertilizers, or the pollutants from the environment which get absorbed through the skin and respiratory tract. These toxins accumulate in the body and hamper normal functioning. Lemon tea is very helpful in removing these toxins from the body. By removing the toxins, lemon tea helps in improving the mood of the person. You will feel less lethargic and more active throughout the day. Lemon juice is also considered a scent that promotes relaxation. It’s used as a sedative, antidepressant, and calmative. It is helpful with fatigue and is a stimulant to the brain and nervous system.

5. It increases immunity

Lemon tea contains antioxidants which help in fighting the free radicals and in building the immunity of the body. Since lemon tea is an excellent source of Vitamin C, it helps in healing wounds and preserving the strength of bones and teeth. It is a proven remedy to prevent the common cold and flu. The antioxidants also help in reducing the inflammation and arthritis symptoms.

6. Natural antiseptic

Lemon is nature’s antiseptic. Lemon tea possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties which help in healing infections and diseases. To benefit from the antiseptic properties of lemon tea, you can add ginger to the tea and drink it 3 to 4 times a day. This will help in thinning the mucus in the throat and thus help in fighting the symptoms of the cold and sore throat.

7. Facilitates iron absorption

The vitamin C from lemon tea helps in the absorption of non-heme iron. Although tea alone interferes in this absorption, adding lemon juice helps in counteract this effect.

8. Aids in weight loss

Probably the benefit because of which 90 per cent of the people started drinking this miraculous tea. Lemon tea, when taken regularly on an empty stomach in the morning, aids in weight loss. Lemon tea causes the body to absorb catechins three times faster into the bloodstream which enhances abdominal fat loss. It helps in balancing the pH levels of the body and keeps the body hydrated, which promotes weight loss. It also helps in boosting the metabolism of the body. Citric acid from a lemon also reduces the absorption of sugars from food, thereby reducing the amount of sugar converted into fats.

9. Skin problems

Lemon tea is a miracle drink for the skin. The vitamin C from the lemon helps in fighting acne and pimples. It clears the skin of dark spots, lightens the tone and brightens the complexion. The antioxidants in the tea prevent wrinkle formation and make the skin firmer. It strengthens skin function, assists in circulation, stimulation and purification. Lemon tea is useful in getting a glowing and healthy skin. It also strengthens the hair, making them stronger and shinier. It helps in fighting split ends, dandruff and itchy scalp.

10. Blood sugar control

When the body produces inadequate amounts of insulin or is unable to utilise insulin properly, it can lead to high blood sugar. Lemon contains a compound called Hesperidin, which can modify the functioning of enzymes which affect the blood sugar levels. Thus, lemon tea not only helps in controlling the blood sugar levels but also helps in preventing diabetes.

11. Treatment of surgical swelling

Swelling is a factor for any patient after surgery. Swelling or oedema is the visible puffiness or swelling from fluid accumulation in and around the body tissues. This leads to pain and discomfort to the patient. Lemon tea is recommended to support the lymph system in the body to eliminate oedema. Lemon tea also helps flush out the side effects of anaesthesia and pain medications. Lemon tea is also useful to reduce the pain during the menstrual cycle of women.

Want more benefits?

If you want to try variations or want more benefits from the lemon tea, try adding freshly grated ginger to the tea. Ginger contains many vitamins and also manganese and copper, all of which are essential for the proper functioning of the body. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing inflammations. It acts as a blood thinner for reducing blood pressure. It also prevents body aches. It is very useful in improving the metabolism and digestion in the body. It also helps in reducing cholesterol as it helps remove the blockages in the flow of blood vessels which could lead to heart attacks. Adding ginger to your lemon tea will boost all the benefits multi-fold and provide you with more taste.

Some side effects you might want to look out for?

Lemon juice can be harmful to the teeth enamel. It can lead to tooth enamel erosion, making your teeth susceptible to pain and sensitivity. To counter that, always gargle after drinking tea. Excessive consumption of lemon tea could alter the pH levels in the body and lead to heartburn. Since it is diuretic, high consumption of lemon tea could trigger dehydration. It can also flush out large amounts of calcium from the body, leading to osteoporosis. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are strictly advised against drinking lemon tea, due to its caffeine content.

Thus, don’t go overboard with the lemon tea. Have it in moderate quantity. 

The benefits of lemon tea are huge. It has been proven to be a boon to anyone who drinks it. With its never-ending health benefits, make sure you reach out for a cup of lemon tea, every day.

Where can I get black tea or green tea to make lemon tea?

Pure Ceylon Green Tea is available at teakruthi. 

This tea comes from Sri Lanka’s famous Nanu Oya region. History of the region dates back to the time of the popular Indian epic Ramayana. As the legend goes the Sri Lankan king, Ravana, kidnapped the princess, Sita, and hid her in caves in the surrounding area. Later, in 1896, the first tea seeds were planted in the Nanu Oya District. Since then, the superiority of teas grown on this single estate has set them far above the rest — literally. At an elevation of between 1,402-1,950m, this high grown tea has spent its life on top of the world.

teakruthi's Mythical Green blend appears yellow in colour and boasts a mild, roasted flavour that will earn it a permanent place in your cup.

A vast range of options for pure Ceylon black tea is available at teakruthi. You can choose either of them based on your strength and flavour preferences.

You can read our complete guide to Ceylon Tea here.

About the author

Shreya Dalela

Contributing author

Shreya loves to research and write about tea and claims Mythical Green Pure Ceylon Green Tea to be her favorite go-to beverage. She swears that her daily cup of green tea gives her a dose of morning inspiration as she sits down to type 1000s of words every day. To unwind at the end of the day, she reaches for a cup of soothing Ananda Veda Green Tea infusion. You can often find her saying 'Everything is better with a cup of tea' :)

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