Okay, so I tried and tried, but the hubby just have so many excuses not to drink my sweet potato tops iced tea/juice, at least not more than half of a glass a day. I figured I should be calling it iced tea, because the procedure in doing the concoction is really more of making tea. But then again, I also poured in calamansi juice, so maybe I could call it either.

With the sweet potato tops juice, it always ends up getting consumed by me and my sis. But with this lemongrass concoction that I made yesterday, it was a different story. The hubby actually asked for a second glass and kind of complained when our little guy drank up the last glass of the batch. I failed to take a picture of the actual juice. It definitely was hotter than pancakes (although it’s actually ice cold). They drank it all up before I was able to grab the cam. 😉

Here’s how I found out about this refreshing drink. Ate Debbie has been coming around the house almost everyday since last week and in her every visit have served her my sweet potato tops juice and liked it! She’s been blessed with support from several church members and got to talk to one former member who is a breast cancer survivor. She reinforced to Ate Debbie the health properties of sweet potato tops juice and told her to drink it everyday. She further said to also drink “tanglad” juice. This lady has been into cancer counseling sessions which included learning about the healthiest of all diets. Apparently, the sweet potato juicing that I have been doing is included in the most recommended daily diet. I am not surprised, because the properties of this juice is vast, which includes boosting the immune system to treating the deadly Dengue. So having no idea what a “tanglad” is, I just cleaned the sheaf thoroughly and while doing so I was happy to have found out that what I was holding in my hands is lemongrass. I was able to tell with the sweet yummy flavor it gives out. And why do I know what a lemongrass smells like? It’s the current scented candle I’m using in my bath and the scent of my little guy’s all natural insect repellent from GIGA.

Here are the therapeutic properties of Lemongrass (Madagascar lemongrass)
Cymbopogon citratus

• Internal use
  • Treats problems with the digestive system, usually in children and is also useful for relieving muscle spasms.
  • It furthermore has a positive effect on nervous conditions and provides a gentle boost when exhausted.
• External use
  • Lemon grass can be used externally to treat ringworm, lice, athletes foot, arthritis and scabies.
  • It is used to normalize and balance overactive oil glands, dandruff and similar skin problems.
• Aromatherapy and essential oil use
  • This reviving oil will re-energize a person and helps the body recover after illness by invigorating the glandular system and boosting the digestive system.
  • It eases muscle pain and cramps and helps to remove lactic acid and increase circulation.
  • For jet lag this oil is a must.
  • On the skin, it helps to balance oily conditions and to clear inflammation and fights fungal infections.
  • It has antidepressant, antiseptic, bactericide, carminative, deodorant, digestive, diuretic, fungicide, galactagogue, insecticide, prophylactic, stimulant and tonic properties.

So the hubby likes this lemograss concoction, but I happen to still favor the sweet potato juice more than this one for its healing properties top the lemongrass’ hands down. I’d still say it’s better than nothing. This will still be a good alternative to the powdered iced tea he regularly drinks every single meal. 😀

a lemongrass plant in all its blooming glory