Health Benefits Of Lemmongrass

• Lemongrass is a perennial plant with thin, long leaves and is indigenous to India and other areas of the Asian continent including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. It is also common in 
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  Ceylon, Central America, China, Guatemala, India, Java, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the West Indian islands and Zambia. 

There are more than fifty varieties of lemongrass but not all are suitable for consumption or medical use. The lemongrass plant usually reaches heights of three feet or one meter and is found mainly in the wild.

• Lemongrass has long being used as a flavoring in Asian style cooking. When added to recipes, the citrus-like flavor of the lemongrass herb powder or dried leaf adds a unique element to the meal.
  
  Though lemongrass is more widely known for its use as tea, it may be added to curries, beef, fish, poultry, seafood and soups.The name of the lemongrass plant is purported to be due to its lemony scent and taste.
  
  There are over fifty species of lemongrass but the scientific names for the ones more commonly used for cooking and healing are cymbopogon citratrus and cymbopagon flexuosus. In India it is more popularly referred to as choomana poolu. There are many other common names by which lemongrass is known.
  
  These include andropogon citratus, barbed wire grass, British Indian lemongrass, Ceylon citronella grass, citronella, citronella grass, citronnelle de Java, East Indian lemongrass, Guatemala lemongrass, hierba Luisa, Hierba de Limón, Indian Melissa, Indian Verbena, Madagascar Lemongrass, silky heads, tanglad, te-de-limon, Verveine Indienne and West Indian lemongrass.
  
  Some of these names are culturally specific. In the Caribbean it is known widely as fever grass, attesting to its traditional use to relieve the symptoms of fever.
  
  The main chemical component found in lemongrass is citral, an aromatic compound, also known as lemonal. Citral is used in perfumes because of its lemon odor.
  
  It is the presence of citral which accounts for lemongrass’ lemon scent. It is an antimicrobial and therefore effective in destroying or inhibiting microorganisms. Citral also contains antifungal properties.
  
  This chemical has pheromonal qualities, which explains its industrial use as an insect repellant. It also has a positive effective on the body’s ability to use Vitamin A. The compounds myrcene, citronellal, geranyl acetate, nerol and geraniol are found in varying quantities in Citral.
  
  Myrcene, geraniol and nerol contribute to lemongrass’ strong fragrance, citronella acts as an insecticide and geranyl acetate is another flavoring agent.
  
  Lemongrass has rubefacient properties, meaning that it may be able to improve blood circulation.
  

  Production

  Lemongrass grows year-round in tropical climates with warm temperatures. Mature plants can be as short as two feet and may reach as high as four feet tall. The plant usually grows wild and is easily promulgated. Lemon grass does not usually produce seeds. It is reproduced with portions of the root. Lemongrass can survive in outdoor or indoor environments, provided that there is adequate sunlight, the soil is adequately nourished and it is given plenty water. Lemongrass has a citrus-like (lemon) smell.
  

  Preparation

  The most common preparation of lemongrass for tea consumption involves picking and leaving the leaves to dry. The dried leaves are brewed in hot water for a few minutes. After straining the leaf residue, any desired sweetener may be added. For flavoring recipes the crushed or pulverized dried leaves are added during meal preparation. It can add a unique citrus flavor to culinary concoctions.
  

  Medicinal uses

  
  
  Lemongrass has been reported to have innumerable therapeutic and other health benefits. Widely used to alleviate certain respiratory conditions including laryngitis and sore throats, lemongrass has earned a reputation for its anti-pyretic property which reduces high fevers.
  
  Fevergrass in some cultures the vapor is inhaled, leading to increased perspiration and eventually the complete removal of fever.
  
  Lemongrass has powerful pain relieving properties.
  
  It helps to alleviate muscle spasms by relaxing the muscles thereby leading to the reduction of pain-related symptoms. It is thus useful for all types of pain including abdominal pain, headaches, joint pains, muscle pains, digestive tract spasms, muscle cramps, stomachache and others.
  
  This remedy has also been linked to increasing the body’s ability to repair damaged connective tissue such as cartilage, ligaments and tendons and is thus recommended for these types of injuries. Another related benefit is for improvements in blood circulation.
  
  As an antifungal and antibacterial, lemongrass inhibits bacteria and yeast growth. For this it is useful for gastrointestinal infections and may also be applied externally to wounds as it fights germs.
  
  As an antioxidant lemongrass, contributes to liver and pancreatic health by helping the body to more quickly remove toxins.
  
  It has also being linked to lowered or normalized cholesterol levels. It also treat digestive issues including gastro-enteritis and may be helpful in relieving constipation.
  
  Some sources suggest that lemongrass has antidepressant properties and is thus beneficial for nervous and stress-related conditions.
  
  It is said to be helpful in alleviating anxiety and depressive symptoms. It helps to strengthen the nervous system and may thus be useful for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
  
  The presence of Vitamin A in lemongrass makes it helpful for skin issues such as acne pimples. It helps to brighten the skin and eyes and clear up oily skin thus improving acne.
  
  Its antibacterial property is also valuable for skin infections. Lemongrass may improve poor body odor by controlling excessive sweating.
  
  One research conducted at the Ben Gurion University in Israel has found possible benefits of the citral found in lemongrass on cancer. It reveals that this compound may contribute to the death of cancer cells with no noted negative effect on normal cells.
  
  The essential oil from lemongrass contains myrcene, geranyl acetate, limonene and other elements that are considered to be beneficial.
  
  Lemongrass also contains beta carotene, an antioxidant which has been found to be useful in healthy cell and tissue growth in the body.
  
  The citral and citronellas components of lemongrass have been found to be effective in aroma therapy treatment.
  

Uses

• The use of the leaves and the stalk have been said to render a variety of beneficial results. Lemongrass has been reported to have antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities, which can help heal infections both internally and externally.
  
  It also is said to have anti-fungal and antiseptic qualities that have led to its use in topical compounds for the treatment of wounds, insect bites and other skin irritations.
  
  It is said to have astringent qualities, which not only aid in the clotting of blood in open wounds, but also promote proper blood circulation and prevent contraction of hair follicles, gums and blood vessels.
  

• Lemongrass is also reported to have analgesic properties, which help reduce pain from inflammation of muscles, joints, tendons and other parts of the body, according to the National Library of Medicine.
  
  It has been used to treat pain caused by viral infections such as colds and influenza, as well as oral maladies found in the gums and teeth.
  
  Lemongrass has been used for many years in some Asian cultures for reducing fevers resulting from viral infections and inflammation. It is said to be an effective diuretic that helps increase urination to aid in digestion and maintains healthy blood pressure and kidney function.
  

Aesthetic Aspects

• The culinary applications of lemongrass fight acidity and spiciness, as well as add a pleasing taste and aroma to foods and teas.
  
  The use of this plant in the treatment of general malaise is becoming more common. Lemongrass has been used as a sedative in Asian medicine for many years because of its apparent calming effect. More recently, it has been applied in various treatments for symptoms of depression and fatigue.
  

Forms of the Application of Lemongrass

• The entire lemongrass plant has been used for its beneficial aspects in the treatment of infections, inflammations and other maladies. The brewing of lemongrass leaves for tea has been used for centuries as a general mood enhancer, as well as a beneficial tonic.
  
  The stalks are rendered into analgesics and fungicides when they are boiled and mixed into topical compounds. The treatment for keratomycosis, an inflammation of the eye, can be made by formulating a liquid from renderings of the plant.