Lemongrass - Benefits, Usage, and History
The History of Lemongrass
C. flexuosus, also called cochin or Malabar grass, is native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand, whereas C. citratus, known as West-Indian lemongrass, is more commonly used in cooking in Malaysia. Lemongrass, also known as Cymbopogon, is a member of the Poaceae family of grasses, which includes roughly 55 additional species. Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon flexuosus are the second most prominent types. Historically, lemon grass has been used for purposes other than cooking, since it was distilled for shipment in the 17th century for the perfume business. People in the civilized company had to massage themselves with fragrant oils due to the period's poor hygiene standards. You may find out more about the many uses for lemongrass at Gardening Knowing How: Lemongrass. Become familiar with the history of lemongrass.
Soups, curries, and a "fever tea" made with lemongrass in East India and Sri Lanka were traditionally used to cure a wide range of ailments from diarrhea to stomach aches to skin problems. As early as 1905, it is widely thought that Sri Lankan scientist J.F. Jovit purchased some "Kochin Sera" plants (Cymbopogon citrates) from Southern India and established them in a field in undertaking study on the plant's medicinal essential oils. In tropical and subtropical regions, this plant is commonly cultivated as a perennial, although it may be cultivated as an ornamental in colder temperatures. Clumps of the plants may reach a diameter of six feet and have leaves that can reach a maximum length of three feet. Strap-like leaves are 12-1" broad and coarsely scalloped on the edges (tough enough just to cut flesh), tapering at the end, and have elegantly drooping tips.
8 Amazing Uses of Lemongrass
1. Medication
Lemongrass leaves and oils are used by lemon grass manufacturers in manufacturing medicines because they are said to alleviate pain and swelling, lower fever, enhance lipid levels (cholesterol), check sugar levels, and encourage menstruation.
2. Cooking
Lemongrass is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine because of its lemony flavour and scent. Alternatively, it can be incorporated into the water used to steam clams and mussels, or added to fresh salads and sauces.
Stir fries, in particular, benefit greatly from the inclusion of lemongrass.
Stir-fry veggies benefit greatly from the citrusy taste of this ingredient, which lends flavour and depth to the dish.
3. Beverages
Herbal teas, cocktails, iced tea, lemonade, and other concoctions all contain lemongrass.
Lemongrass has a delicate citrus taste that works well in simple syrups for flavouring beverages and cocktails. This lemon grass uses syrup to add a distinctive flavour to everything from cocktails to iced tea.
4. Make a Refreshing Tea
Lemongrass tea has a calming effect on the body. Green tea and many other herbal teas taste better when flavoured with lemongrass instead of lemon juice. The leaves of lemongrass, rather than the woody base commonly employed in cooking, make the greatest tea.
5. Insect Repellent
Lemongrass is an effective insecticide. The scent of lemongrass may be dispersed over a vast area by putting a pan of water with lemongrass on your campfire or your grill. Lemongrass may also be used for summertime bonfires to help to keep insects at bay.
6. Aromatherapy advantages
Lemongrass has a relaxing and stress-reducing aroma therapeutic effect when it is simmered inside.
Aromatherapy advantages of lemongrass may be enjoyed right in your backyard by simmering lemongrass in water, releasing the plant's natural essential oils.
For an extra benefit, sip the tea that was prepared. Essential oils, soaps, and fragrances all include lemongrass, which may be found in these products.
7. Furniture Polishing
Furniture polishes can use lemongrass essential oil. Linseed oil or mineral oil can be warmed to a gentle simmer.
Ten minutes into the cooking process, add half a cup of dried fresh lemongrass. Allow cooling completely after removing from heat.
If you let the oil cool, then drain it and use it as all-purpose furniture polish to bring fresh life to your furnishings while also leaving a subtle scent behind.
Read More: How To Start Lemongrass Oil Making Business?
8. The use in Gardening
Another best reason for growing the lemongrass market in India is Lemongrass may be beneficial even if you don't grow it yourself. It is a good idea to plant lemongrass near your doors and entryways to keep mosquitoes out of your house.
Planting near locations where you want to host visitors can help keep them safe from insects as you and your guests enjoy the warm summer nights together.
12 Benefits of Lemongrass
i. Helps the body get rid of toxins
Lemongrass' diuretic qualities, as per 2003 animal research, may aid in the removal of dangerous toxic wastes from the body.
It's possible that detoxification can assist regulate the liver and kidneys, as well as reduce levels of uric acid in the blood.
Increased urination due to the herb's putative diuretic impact aids digestion and detoxification by doubling the levels and regularity of urine.
ii. Measures Infection
Lemongrass may help prevent infection, according to research conducted at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
When taken by patients with compromised immune systems, including those who have HIV, the plant appears to lessen the occurrence of thrush.
iii. Reduces Anemia
If you're always tired and weak, you may have anemia, a disease where your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells to transfer oxygen to your cells, resulting in anemia.
Vitamins and minerals present in lemongrass tea, such as folic acid and thiamine as well as copper, iron, zinc, and other elements, have been linked to an increase in erythropoiesis (the creation of red blood cells).
To have a clearer picture of this effect's scope and mechanism, more research is needed. Use lemongrass to flavour tea or food.
iv. Helps You Lose Weight
There aren't many calories in lemongrass tea. As a result, it's a terrific addition to your weight-reduction plan. In addition to helping, you feel fuller longer, tea can help you avoid overeating.
Drinking tea can help you lose weight because it includes polyphenols that boost energy expenditure and help you burn fat.
Consequently, it may be used to detox, which increases your metabolism and makes it easier to shed extra pounds.
v. Alleviates Insomnia
Relaxed muscles and nerves are said to aid in sleep by drinking lemongrass tea. Lemongrass tea has been demonstrated to have sedative qualities in studies, which may help you sleep longer.
vi. Improves the Oral Condition
Chewing on lemongrass stalks can help enhance oral health and keep your mouth feeling fresh in many places where the lemon plant is native.
vii. Relieve Pain
Analgesic properties can also be found in this perennial plant. After 30 days of administering lemongrass oil to 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients, their levels of discomfort decreased significantly.
To produce your massage oil, combine 2 teaspoons (10ml) sweet almond oil with 1 drop of lemongrass essential oil.
Lemongrass can irritate the skin, so don't go overboard with the amount you use.
viii. Enhances mental well-being
Lemongrass has been shown to have a favourable influence on the performance of the brain, therefore easing tension and anxiety and enhancing your happiness, confidence, and self-esteem.
As a result, insomnia can be alleviated and better sleep can be obtained. For aromatherapy, try brewing a cup of tea with lemongrass or diffusing lemongrass oil.
ix. Grows the red blood cells
Lemongrass tea infusions may boost hemoglobin concentration, mean cell, and red blood cell count in the body, according to 2015 research.
Blood samples were collected from 105 participants at the beginning of the trial, as well as at 10-, 30-, and 60-day intervals.
Lemongrass tea, they found, increases the production of hemoglobin.
x. Reduces the Fever
Because of its ability to decrease fever, the lemon grass plant online is sometimes referred to as the "fever plant." Ayurvedic medicine makes significant use of the potential antipyretic and diaphoretic effects to induce sweating in the treatment of fever.
xi. Best for Diabetes treatment
People with diabetes may benefit from the hypoglycemic effects of lemongrass tea, according to some research. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor if you are currently on diabetic medication. Lemongrass tea, on the other hand, has been demonstrated to enhance fasting blood sugar levels.
xii. Fights Against Cancer
Lemongrass extract has been demonstrated in laboratory experiments to suppress the early stages of liver cancer. Citral, a chemical found in lemongrass, has been shown to cause breast cancer cells to die.
Best places to get the lemongrass products
It's no longer difficult to find lemongrass and its products.
- Grocery Stores: A year-round staple in the produce department, exhibited alongside the aforementioned "speciality" fruits and vegetables. By glancing at the product, you can tell how fresh it is. Make sure the bulb is solid and green.
- Departmental stores: Essential oils and ginger tea may be found in abundance.
Conclusion
Lemongrass tea has several health advantages. However, before consuming lemongrass oil, it is strongly advised that you speak with a medical practitioner. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid this product. If you have renal or liver illness or clotting issues, proceed with caution. Overall, Lemongrass is a great way to infuse your home with a fresh, healthy scent.
FAQs: Lemongrass
Q. How to Use lemongrass in cancer treatment?
Ans. Cancer cells "commit suicide: employing apoptosis, a method known as programmed cell death" as a result of citral. It just takes one milligram of citral in a beverage for cancer cells in a test tube to commit suicide.
Q. Can a pregnant woman use lemongrass?
Ans. Lemongrass must be avoided during pregnancy due to the presence of citral and myrcene, two chemicals present in lemongrass. A large dosage of myrcene can interfere with the fetus’s bone formation and perhaps cause a miscarriage.
Q. Will lemongrass tea be good for treating anxiety?
Ans. Traditional uses of lemongrass include curing arthritis and fever and anaemia; it also aids in the maintenance of good digestive health. Lemongrass can be used to treat anxiety, sadness, and sleeplessness by certain holistic doctors.
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