Lemongrass, although native to India, it is popular in many countries throughout the world, mainly due to its health benefits, taste and it because of its light scent.
This plant has a variety of nutritional favors, the benefits and properties of lemongrass are surprising. Here in this article, we will know about the magnitude of power and healing of this medicinal plant.
What is a lemongrass plant? What are the benefits and properties of lemongrass? How to make lemongrass tea? Know it in depth!
What is lemongrass?
The Cymbopogon citratus is the scientific name given to the lemongrass, it is a kind of grass that corresponds to the lineage of grasses, also known as Malabar grass or Cochin grass. A perennial plant, that is robust, aromatic, which are in spreads, it belongs to the family of herbaceous plants.
The lemongrass receives a variety of names, such as lemongrass, lemon tea, lemongrass, lemongrass, lemongrass, fever grass, straw, lemon, lemongrass, among others. But you may wonder what is lemongrass called in India? In India, it is generally known as Gandhatrina.
In Sanskrit it is known by varities of names such as Rohisham, Punsvavighraha, Putigandha, Malatrinaka, Jambira truna, Kutimbaka, Atigandha, Karenduka, Badhira, Jambukapriya, Jambiratrinah, Gundardha, Gochhalaka, Bhutika, Guhyabija, Bhutrinah, Guhybija, Guchhala etc.
This plant has a variety of nutritional favors and the benefits and properties of lemongrass are amazing!
What does lemongrass plant look like?
If you look at its flowers, you will notice that they meet in spikelets, 30 to 60 centimeters in length that, in turn, form clusters. They are grouped into spikes and are observed folded like the leaves.
When you smell their leaves, you can realize that they are very aromatic and leaves are rough, elongated, and light green, they detach from the ground and start-up surprisingly in dense bushes.
What does science say about lemongrass?
According to the scientific and botanical research carried out on lemongrass has found an antiseptic, digestive and bronchiolitis properties in it.
In addition, it can also be used as a repellent against insects. The other benefits and properties of lemongrass are that it can help you to improve your digestion as it has analgesic and antibacterial assistance.[1]
Lemongrass Uses & Benefits In Ayurveda
According to ayurvedic properties, Lemongrass is (Rasa) bitter and pungent in taste, (Vipaka) pungent after digestion, and (Virya) is cool in effect.
Lemongrass is used for many ailments in Ayurveda such as for the treatment of
- Arochaka (loss of appetite, taste, or anorexia)
- Bhuta Badha (Mental diseases)
- Dadru (Ringworm)
- Jalan (Burning sensation)
- Kasa (Cough, Bronchitis)
- Krimi (Worms)
- Kushtha (Skin diseases)
- Santap (Heat)
- Shvas (Asthma)
- Udara (Abdominal disorders)
- Vami (Vomiting)
What is lemongrass tea good for?
Do you know what is lemongrass plant good for? There are many health benefits of lemongrass that can help us to deal with common illness, in fact, it can be used easily at home and without side effects.
1. To fight skin infection
If you are currently having fungal infection on the skin or want to prevent problems, lemongrass is the best as it has antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties that prevent bacteria or fungus from growing on your skin.
Lemongrass is also an excellent remedy to use in pore reduction, thanks to its astringent properties, that helps the skin to remain firm and smooth.
2. To improve digestion
The lemongrass is a wonderful digestive remedy, its antiseptic properties cause the destruction of parasites and harmful bacteria that can adversely affect your digestive system.
You can use lemongrass to control, it can help in the relief of common digestive diseases, such as indigestion, constipation, heartburn, vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence and stomach aches.
Also, the pain produced by gastroenteritis can be relieved by the antimicrobial properties of lemongrass.
3. To prevent cancer
On the support of scientific research, lemongrass has been used in patients who must undergo radiotherapies and chemotherapies.
In the lemongrass there is a chemical compound name citral, which stimulates the death of cancer cells; In addition, it does not cause adverse effects on your body.[2]
4. To Regulate Cholesterol Levels
With the beneficial properties of lemongrass, the rate of absorption of cholesterol along your intestinal tract will be reduced.
It will also help you in the process of oxidation of negative cholesterol in the blood, effectively stopping the accumulation of plaque along the path of the walls of your blood vessels.
In addition, the high amount of potassium present in lemongrass will normalize your blood pressure.
5. To Treat the Flu and Colds
The lemongrass is rich in vitamin C, it has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which results in the positive stimulation of the immune system, reducing the high percentage risk of infection.
As a result of a cold or flu, the mucus and phlegm that accumulate in the body are very high, so consuming lemongrass tea can help to achieve the breakdown, elimination, and expulsion of all this mucus.
Very advisable that those people who suffer from asthma and bronchitis can consume a good lemongrass tea daily.
6. To Treat Depression
If you have episodes of depression, the antidepressant properties of lemongrass can be your main ally for your mental stability. Ideally, you can consume it in lemongrass tea, later I want to teach you how to prepare it.
It happens that the natural compounds found in lemongrass are powerful enhancers of your mood, directly facilitate the release of serotonin in your bloodstream.
That way, your confidence will come back, and your mental health will improve markedly. Also, it is important that you know that lemongrass has a very powerful chemical compound known as citronella; if you consume it, it will produce a calming effect on your body and in your mind.
So from now, if you have difficulty in sleeping, the benefits and properties of lemongrass will be of amazing help.
7. To lower the fever
Fever is an alarming symptom that calls for your health care. To control it, put a heaped tablespoon of lemongrass leaves over a cup of boiling water; cover it and let it stand for a few minutes.
Ideally, every 30 minutes you can drink a cup until the temperature starts to drop.
8. To get rid of muscle aches
Muscle aches problems can be easily controlled, thanks to the benefits and properties of lemongrass. The way to use lemongrass for muscles aches is very simple.
Take in 20 milliliters of olive oil, mix two drops of lemongrass oil, 5 drops of cardamom, 3 drops of rosemary, and perform gentle massages on the areas where you have pain.
9. To neutralize body odor
The use of diluted lemongrass oil can be an excellent deodorant. According to statistics that reflect scientific studies, lemongrass oil is more efficient than traditional deodorants.
Citral is the main compound of lemongrass that has aromatic and antimicrobial qualities that can help to control your body odor and kinds of abundant sweating.
The function of citral slows down the development of microorganisms that cause body odor and unpleasant odor.
10. To Improve Breastfeeding
It is highly recommended that mothers who are breastfeeding drink lemongrass in infusions.
Lemongrass herb has properties that help to improve milk production; in turn, with its antimicrobial benefits, the baby will remain healthy, grow free of infections and harmful microorganisms.
11. To Detoxify and Clean the Body
If you want to clean, care and detoxify your body, the ideal thing would be to regularly consume lemongrass. Its diuretic effects help the effective elimination of toxins, uric acid and malignant cholesterol from the blood, directly cleaning your kidneys.
The lemongrass can purify your kidneys, your liver, your bladder, and pancreas. If you use it daily, you will see that your blood circulation will improve by one hundred percent.
12. To Relieve Arthritis
For all those people who suffer from arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatism, among other diseases that involve the joints, the benefits, and properties of lemongrass will be the allies indicated to control or eradicate these diseases.
All this, due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of lemongrass, which help to slow down the activity of enzymes that can cause inflammation and joint pain.
To prepare an extraordinary lemongrass tea that manages to extract all the properties of lemongrass, you must perform the following process.
In a pot, take 10 lemongrass leaves and four cups of water. Boil over low heat, let the water and leaves boil for 10 consecutive minutes. Then, if you wish, sweeten with honey.
You can have lemongrass tea in the morning or at night, it can be hot or cold.
lemongrass side effects and risks
To conclude, I want to let you know some important recommendations:
- The lemongrass normally is not associated with negative side effects, or at least when the recommended doses are taken. If you have skin rashes after drinking lemongrass tea, you should stop using it.
- It is important that you mention to your GP before taking lemongrass to control the disease you suffer at the moment.
- Any abnormal situation that happens in your body with the consumption of lemongrass, you should report it immediately to your doctor, and suspend the use of food or drinks related to lemongrass.
- Advanced diseases or that are not controlled with the consumption of lemongrass, should be consulted with a medical specialist.
- Lemongrass is known to boost or to start menstrual flow, so consuming during pregnancy may be a concern that it might cause a miscarriage.
In conclusion, the benefits and properties of lemongrass are many, but the most important is what do you expect to receive all those benefits for your life and your body?
