Lemongrass: feel good, inside and out
Detoxify your body, fight free radicals, get rid of pain and disease plus many other powerful benefits
Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Family: Poaceae
Actions: Depurative, diuretic, sedative, analgesic, anaphrodisiac, anthelmintic
Nutrients: Potassium, alkaloids, alpha pinene, ash, Vitamins A, B, and C, zinc, folic acid
Taste: Bitter, pungent, aromatic
Plant Uses: Indigestion, body odour, anxiety, anorexia, arthritis, emphysema, lower back pain, dysmenorrhoea, anticancer
Plant preparations: Nourishing herbal infusion, tincture, extract, capsule, food, cosmetics
Toxicities/warnings: Not suitable for small children or use during pregnancy. Avoid plants that show signs of mould.
History of Lemongrass..
Lemongrass is an aromatic tropical plant with slender blades of grass that can grow up to 2 meters tall. Native to Southeast Asia, lemongrass can also be found growing in India, Africa, Australia and Oceania. It has been used in the cosmetic industry since the seventeenth century and applied as an essential oil as well as effective insect repellent since then. The poor hygienic conditions of the time meant that people often used essential oils to mask bad body odours and lemongrass was prized as one of the most effective remedies for this purpose.
Lemongrass is a primary culinary herb in several types of Asian cuisine. Thai food in particular makes use of lemongrass in most of its authentic dishes such as curries soups, and meat preparations. African countries have used lemongrass as a herbal teas for centuries.
Lemongrass is an oil grass and contains citral, which have been a very popular ingredient in the alcohol industry as well as soft drinks industry. Many citrusy soft drinks contain the extract citral taken from lemongrass.
Benefits of Lemongrass
Depurative - detoxifying
Helps Indigestion
Relieves Arthritis
Treats Anxiety and depression
Menstrual cramps
Anticancer
Promotes Skin Health
Depurative - detoxifying
Lemongrass tea contains several bio-compounds that aids in cleansing the body of toxins. Due to its diuretic properties, lemongrass helps flush out harmful toxins, eliminate uric acid which aids in cleansing the kidneys and decreasing the likelihood of chronic inflammation. Citral, one of the main compounds found in lemongrass, have shown to inhibit cytokine production. This has a positive effect on the pancreas, liver and bladder in elevating blood circulation that is vital for overall health of these inner organs. (1)
Helps Indigestion
Lemongrass contains antiseptic compounds which are helpful to eliminate parasites and unhealthy bacteria in the digestive track and stimulating good bacteria in the colon. Lemongrass have been shown very effective in treating a variety of digestive ailments such as heartburn, indigestion, bloating, flatulence, vomiting, stomach spasm, cramps, and nausea. Another big plus is that lemongrass contains antimicrobial properties which can help in treating gastroenteritis. (2)
Relieves Arthritis
Lemongrass posses potent pain relieving as well as anti inflammatory properties making it ideal in fighting arthritis symptoms as well as rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gout and general joint pain. Lemongrass helps to suppress the activity of cyclooxegenase-2, which is an enzyme involved in causing joint pain. Moreover, lemongrass helps relax the muscles, preventing symptoms related to joint pain. (3)
Treats Anxiety and Depression
Lemongrass stimulates the release of serotonin which helps to keep us calm and prevent us from feeling moody or down. Citronella found in lemongrass has a calming effect on body and mind and can especially benefit a good nights rest and improve the quality of our sleep. Lemongrass can also be used in therapeutic baths to reduce anxiety and sooth the nervous system. It boosts mental strength and is used to help patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimers. (4)
Menstrual Cramps
The rich nutrient content in lemongrass makes it an ideal remedy for menstrual cramps as well as other symptoms related to the menstrual cycle such as PMS, irritability and mood swings.
Anticancer
Lemongrass extract possesses potent anticancer activity against human colon cancers due to its due to its phytochemical profile that can target different pathways selectively in cancer cells. Lemongrass have been shown effective in reducing cell death in lymphoma cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. Frequent consumption of lemongrass have also been shown to reduce the risk of various other types of cancer. Due to the excellent antioxidant qualities of lemongrass it is also safe to say that lemongrass can reduce the risk of cancer by eliminating free radicals in the body. (5)
Promotes Skin Health
Lemongrass help prevent different skin issues from fungal infections to big pores. Its antibacterial qualities makes it useful in treating microbial or bacterial growth on the skin, its astringent qualities helps with skin elasticity and limit oil secretion plus minimise pores and the antioxidants present help to prevent premature ageing.
Preparations and uses
Tea
Prepare a delicious tea by adding 1 teaspoon of dried lemongrass to one cup of boiling water. Let it infuse for 10 minutes and enjoy.
Extract
Mix 25% ratio vegetable glycerine with 75% ratio reverse osmosis water till the mixture is smooth. Prepare an extract by adding 50% of dried lemongrass leaves to 75% parts water and glycerine mix in clean mason jar and place a label with the date and ingredients on the lid. Let it sit in a dark cupboard for 6 - 8 weeks, giving it a gentle shake daily. After 6 - 8 weeks, strain out the extract and bottle it. Add a teaspoon of extract / add a few drops to water or juice and drink 3 to 4 times daily. Extracts have a shelf life of about 6 months.
Food
Use lemongrass stalks to prepare your favourite curry paste, see our article with a recipe here. Lemongrass can be added to soups and in meat dishes. Use fresh lemongrass stalks when cooking.
Cosmetics
Lemongrass essential oil can be added to other carrier oils such as coconut oil or almond oil and applied to the skin. You can use the lemongrass extract on your skin as a toner. For further reading on lemongrass in cosmetics, you may be interested in the following article:
http://sallysorganics.com/lemongrass-2/lemongrass-cosmetic-uses/
If you enjoy these articles and learn from them, consider sharing them so more people can benefit from joining our healthy sojourning community. You can always reach out to me with any questions or feedback too. And if you have recently joined, feel free to read the previous articles on the website.
Thank you for reading!
References
https://www.health.online/health-wellness/diet-nutrition/17-powerful-health-benefits-of-lemongrass/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319092284_Effect_of_lemongrass_oil_on_rheumatoid_arthritis
Disclaimer
The information contained in this ARTICLE is for interest and educational purposes only, and is in no way a prescription or substitute for professional/medical help. We assume no responsibility for the way you choose to implement this information. Be sure to consult your medical healthcare provider(s) before making any health changes or decisions.