All About Lemongrass; Uses, Benefits & Much More

Lemongrass is one of our favorites of all Herbal Teas. It helps to treat several ailments such as digestion, stress and anxiety issues, infection and pain, heart diseases and much more.

Lemongrass, also known as Cymbopogon, is a tall, stemmed plant. It is popular for its refreshing lemon aroma and citrus flavor. It is one of the common ingredients in Thai cuisine and repels insects. Lemongrass is cultivated usually in many tropical climates and mostly in East Asia.

Uses of Lemongrass:

• Lemongrass is generally taken orally by people.

• Its application on skin is also very beneficial.

• It is also inhaled for the purpose of aromatherapy in a variety of medical conditions.

• Lemon grass is used as lemon flavoring in herbal teas.

• In manufacturing industries, it is used as a fragrance in soaps, deodorants and cosmetics.

• Lemongrass is also used to make vitamin A and natural citral.

Benefits of Lemongrass

• Antioxidant properties:

 Lemongrass contains a number of antioxidants, which can help to remove free radicals in your body that can cause disease. Notable antioxidants are chlorogenic acid, isoorientin and swertiajaonin. These antioxidants can help to prevent dysfunction of cells inside the coronary arteries.

• Antimicrobial properties:

It is helpful to cure oral infections and cavities. According to a Vitro study published by the National Institutes of Health in 2012, lemongrass essential oil has shown antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus mutans bacteria (this bacteria is the cause of tooth decay).

• Reduce risk of cancer:

Lemongrass citral is also believed to have strong anti-cancer potential against several cancer cell lines. Multiple ingredients in lemongrass help to fight cancer. This happens by strengthening the immune system or by directly causing cell death, so that the body can fight cancer on its own. Generally, lemongrass is also used as an adjuvant therapy in chemotherapy and radiation. However, It is recommended that it should be used as adjuvant therapy only be under proper instruction of an oncologist.

• Anti-inflammatory properties:

Inflammation appears to play an important role in many conditions, including heart disease and stroke. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, two major compounds of lemongrass, citral and geranium, may cause anti-inflammatory benefits.

• Boost Healthy digestion:

The study found that lemongrass leaf essential oil was useful for protecting the lining of the stomach from damage caused by aspirin and ethanol. Regular use of aspirin is a common cause of stomach ulcers.

Although lemongrass is very beneficial for us but there are some precautions to be kept in mind; they are mentioned below:

• It is recommended that lemongrass should not be taken internally without proper instruction of medical professional as consumption of lemongrass essential oil can cause toxic effects.

• Pregnant and lactating women, children, people with liver and kidney disease and other health problems should consult with their healthcare provider before consuming lemongrass.

You can also grow Lemongrass at home and enjoy its benefits regularly.