Lemongrass is a kind of grass that gives you lemony taste. It is also called as citronella and is a famous flavor in Asian cuisine. It is renowned for its anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Health benefits of lemongrass
Essential oils
Different types of lemon grass nearly provides seven various kinds of essential oils that are responsible for infusing aroma and tasting the food. One of the essential oil named citral responsible for the strongest lemon scent.
Another essential oil limonene though wafts the mild aroma also has an important role in the cosmetics. Some oils like geraniol, citronellol and borneol present in the lemon grass has the capacity to repel insects.
Along with that some other essential oils present in the lemongrass helps to combat with the bacteria and few of them consists of anti-irritant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Nutrients
The great aroma spreading lemongrass gives you several nutrients that are required daily such as vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 and many other minerals.
One tablespoon of lemongrass holds nearly one percent of daily recommended potassium, folate, zinc, magnesium and phosphorous. The same amount will also gives you 4 milligrams of iron, which is equal to 5 percent of daily recommended intake amount for men and 2 percent for women.
Take three or four stalks of lemongrass to get a half cup of chopped, which is sufficient for seasoning fish, meat or any vegetable dish.
Prevents cancer
According to a research published in the “European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the year 2012″, Luteolin, one kind of flavonoid consists of anti-inflammatory properties. It has the capacity in slowing down the growth and killing certain kind of cancer cells.
Lutein is also able to treat some lung infections, acute lung injury and multiple types of sclerosis. Some of the essential oils of lemongrass also has the nature in slowing down the cancer cells, especially in leukemia, breast and liver cancers.
Tips to prepare
When you are using the lemongrass to cook, take away the green leaves from it and use the base of the stalk. Cut the outer rough layers and use it as per the requirement.
First pound the lemon grass stalk while using it in order to release more oils from it. Mix lemongrass with olive oil, garlic, chilli flakes, or soy sauce if you are seeking to season the chicken or topping the vegetables.
Reduces body odor
Body odors can be very stubborn and annoying. In a country like ours, due to humidity and constant weather changes body odor becomes very obvious. It has been found out by beauty experts that lemongrass oil is an excellent agent for removal of body odors.
In fact, lemongrass oil can be even substituted in place of chemical filled synthetic deodorants which are so easily available in the market. The most vital ingredient which makes lemongrass oil so resourceful is the presence of citrus, which makes it aromatic.
Also, lemongrass oil is enriched with antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities, which prevents in excessive sweating and fighting against microorganisms producing body odor.
Benefits new mothers
For women who just stepped in the world of motherhood, lemongrass is very beneficial. Lemongrass has galactogogue properties; thereby increasing breast milk production.
Also, as I have already mentioned above that lemongrass is a good source of antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, it helps in keeping the babies healthy and infection-free.
Lactating mothers can drink one to two cups of lemongrass tea daily. But it must be kept in mind that lemongrass is only good for lactating women and not during pregnancy, since it may affect adversely.
Controls cholesterol levels
Lemongrass is also very effective in keeping check of the cholesterol and atherosclerosis level. Being an agent of anti-cholesterol and anti-atherosclerosis, lemongrass stimulates in reducing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine.
Another important function of lemongrass is it helps in the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in the blood, which in turn helps prevent atherosclerotic plaque buildup.
In a study made in 1989 by the University of Wisconsin stated that people with high cholesterol who took 140-milligram capsules of lemongrass oil daily noticed reduction in cholesterol levels.
Heals colds and flu
Due to the presence of antibacterial and antifungal properties, lemongrass works as an antigen in fighting against bacteria which causes cough, fever and other cold and flu symptoms.
Again to mention here, lemongrass is loaded with the beneficial vitamin C it helps in building our metabolism stronger.
Lemongrass oil can also be used in relieving muscle and joint pain. Also lemongrass oil can be very soothing in treating headaches and bronchitis or even asthma.
You can make the following medicinal drink with lemongrass.
- Firstly, take a few fresh strands of lemongrass, along with two to three cloves and then add a small cinnamon stick to it along with a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Boil all these ingredients in one cup of milk.
- After giving the mixture a good boil, gently strain and drink it when it cools down.
- Drink this once a day for a few days.
Beauty benefits of lemongrass
Skin beauty
Use lemongrass oil regularly to treat the acne prone skin. It adds shine to your skin and cleanses the enlarged pores. It reduces skin infections and helps in the elimination of the blackheads from the face.
It helps to control the limit of sweat from the body, calm downs the unpleasant odors and works perfect in reducing the severe foot sweat.
Refreshener
Lemongrass oil refreshes the air and helps to discard the feeling of fatigue and stress. It make you to concentrate better and aids to focus the attention.
Deodorant
A lot of us must be wondering about natural deodorant recipes that don’t smell bad all summer. Baking soda makes for a great base of a DIY deodorant if added along with the right essential oil.
Lemongrass is the master at controlling odor and it is very effective for the skin under your arms, which is so often damaged due to waxing and shaving.
All you need to do is, add few drops of lemongrass oil along with baking soda and apply that paste on the damp skin. Then wash it off with cool water.
Lemongrass astringent
Lemongrass astringent is a great option for controlling excessive production of oil, although introducing raw honey into your routine should start to eliminate that. Astringent is essential every time before the application of moisturizer since our country has a hot and humid weather.
The task of astringents is to remove the buildup of oil, increases the elasticity of saggy wrinkled skin and prevent breakouts.
All you need to do is just take fresh aloe vera and extract the gel-like liquid, then add in a teaspoon of witch hazel and a couple of drops of lemongrass. Now apply it over freshly washed skin and allow it to set before applying a moisturizer or sunscreen.
