Adityam Dutta, a researcher at Lovely Professional University, has developed a new health drink to enhance people’s immunity. The immunity boosting drink is made with natural extracts of lemongrass and provides relief from many lifestyle ailments like headache, high blood pressure, convulsions, pain and swelling, vomiting, cough, joint pain (rheumatism), fever, common cold, diabetes and exhaustion.
Naturally grown lemongrass contains inflammation-fighting compounds such as chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swartiazaponin. While chlorogenic acid improves glucose metabolism and lowers blood pressure, isoorientin reduces body dryness and contributes to easier bowel movements.
During the experiment, the researcher took 50 grams of lemongrass and mixed it in 200 ml of water. The mixture was then boiled at a temperature below the boiling point of water (in the range of 70–80 °C) for 30–40 min. The lemongrass was stirred continuously in a boiling pot to separate its extract. In 2–3 hours, considerable amount of extract was separated due to which the solution became concentrated. After the boiling process, the juice was strained in a glass and was left for cooling. When consumed chilled, it was found that the 200 ml of water used to extract lemongrass oil was concentrated and had a good tangy flavour.
Adityam Dutta, researcher and assistant professor, Lovely Professional University said, “Lemon grass is generally used to prepare tea in India. With our formula, we aim to present its goodness in the form of a chilled drink aimed at youngsters as a healthy alternative to cola based beverages. We will start our commercialisation efforts once the pandemic has subsided.”
