HEALTH BENEFITS OF LEMONGRASS
Lemongrass is named such but has no connection with the lemons except that it has the strong lemon-like aroma & taste.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
Do not let this modest grass mislead you. It is packed with so much goodness that it can help to improve so many chronic conditions. Nutrition-wise, it is the good source of vitamins A and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese; with minute traces of the B vitamins
From leaves and stems, citronella oil is obtained for making insect repellent, soap, perfumery and flavorings.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF LEMONGRASS
Lemongrass has long been widely used in the Asian countries for its medicinal properties and also in the culinary.
What makes it so effectual in many medical condition is that it has certain anti-septic compounds that effectively kill harmful micro-organisms-bacteria, yeast, fungal, parasites, etc. in digestive tract, YET preserving beneficial bacteria.
For the healthy digestive tract, lemongrass is made into the therapeutic tea that is drunk regularly to see its effectiveness.
Anemia:
Thanks to its high content in iron, which is essential for synthesis of hemoglobin – the protein in red cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout body. Lemongrass is helpful for various types of anemia, especially those resulting from the iron deficiency.
Anti-cancer:
A study was done to show that the lemongrass contains citral, an anti-cancer property that could cause cancer cells to die, yet preserves healthy tissues. Although, this does not mean that drinking lemongrass juice or tea alone will heal the cancer thus it helps.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-septic:
Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties, lemongrass juice can be used as the valuable help for treating arthritis, gout and inflammation of urinary tract.
Bacterial or fungal infection:
Thanks to its anti-septic properties, drinking the lemongrass tea for a season helps to eliminate bad micro-organism, detoxify and purify the blood, keeping the bacterial, fungal or yeast infections in check.
Balsamic action:
Due to its content in volatile oils, lemongrass has the beneficial, balsamic action on respiratory tract. So it can be used to relieve symptoms associated with flu, cold and hay fever.
Detoxifying:
The anti-oxidant, anti-septic and diuretic effect of the lemongrass make it an important ingredient to be included in diet when detoxifying. It helps to cleanse and purify liver, kidneys, bladder, pancreas and increases the blood circulation. The diuretic effect helps to carry out toxins from the process to be eliminated effectively.
Diabetes:
The purifying and cleansing effect of lemongrass tea help to cleanse or detoxify pancreas and improve its functions, thus lowering the blood sugar level in diabetics.
Digestive health:
Lemongrass helps to regulate intestinal function and motility due to its anti-microbial properties. It helps to kill bad bacteria and parasites, repopulate good bacteria in the colon, thus assisting to improve the digestive-related problems like: indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal bloating, flatulence, stomach spasms, vomiting and cramps.
Gastritis or Heartburn:
A warm mug of lemongrass tea can be very soothing when having gastritis or acid indigestion. Drinking tea therapeutically would gradually reduce recurrence of both gastritis and heartburn.
High blood pressure:
The high potassium content promotes the diuresis, thereby helping to lower and regulate the blood pressure. Regularly drinking lemongrass tea is encouraged.
High cholesterol:
Lemongrass has an anti-cholesterol and anti-atherosclerosis action. It helps to reduce both absorption of cholesterol from intestine, as well as the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in the blood, thus preventing one of first steps in formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Insomnia:
Insomnia happens due to internal chemical imbalance or nervous disorders. The purifying activities and calming effect of the lemongrass help to improve sleep.
Nervous system:
Magnesium, phosphorous and folate are important nutrients needed for healthy functioning of the nervous system. They help improve concentration, memory and the brain’s ability to process information.
Purifying action:
Perhaps most characteristic action of lemongrass is its purifying effect on whole body, since it helps to eliminate toxins from body by enhancing the cleansing of colon.
Skin health:
When blood is purified, circulation is improved, skin health will follow suit. Regularly drinking lemongrass tea helps to improve acne problem, eczema and psoriasis.
Weight loss:
Drinking lemongrass tea helps to melt fats in detoxifying manner. The diuretic effect helps to carry out wastes in high volume, effectively and quickly, resulting in the weight loss.
Photo credit: Iqbal Osman1 / Foter / CC BY