Cymbopogon

lemongrass benefits

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon winterianus and Cymbopogon nardus) grow up to 2 meters. The base stems of Lemongrass have magenta color. There is also another name of Lemongrass, it is known as Citronella grass. The Lemongrass is used to produce Lemongrass oil. In Ayurveda, Lemongrass is known as Bhutrin. Lemongrass obtained from East India is also called lemongrass Malabar or Cochin grass.

The Malabar Lemongrass is also native to Sri Lanka, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Lemongrass obtained from West India is also native to maritime Southeast Asia. The stalks of Lemongrass are a common ingredient used in Asian cooking. Lemongrass is most popularly used to brew for the making of tea. The lemongrass plant has long leaves, which are like those of seagrasses.

Lemongrass is cultivated as medicinal and culinary. Lemongrass is considered a herb, and it has a unique scent that resembles that of lemons. It is known about Lemongrass tea that is beneficial to fight against free radicals and thus further help reduce the inflammation in the body. The bioactive compounds present in Lemongrasses, such as swertiajaponin, chlorogenic acid, and isoorientin, are responsible for fighting inflammation. Some population is already considering in their regular diet due to its health benefits.

Source of Lemongrass

Lemongrass is native to Asian countries, Australian, African, and tropical island. The cultivation of Lemongrass as a cash crop is taken in Sri Lanka and India.

Synonyms for Lemongrass

There are different synonyms of Lemongrass as Cymbopogon citratus, Bhutik, Chatra, Bhutrin, Agni ghass, Hari chai, Majigehulu, Oilcha, Purahalihulla, Lilicha, Lilacha, Chippagaddi, Karpurappilu, Khawi, Nimmagaddi, Shambharapulla, Gandhabena, Gandhabena, Mirvacha, Shambharapula, Melissa grass, West Indian Lemongrass, Hirvacha, Chae Kashmiri, Haona, Jazar masalah.

Chemical components of Lemongrass 

There are many bioactive compounds present in Lemongrass, but the principal chemical constituents are citronella, citronellol, and geraniol, which are antiseptic, and therefore they are used in disinfectant soaps.

Traditional uses of Lemongrass

  • Lemongrass is used to produce Lemongrass oil which is used in making antiseptic soaps. 
  • Lemongrass oil is used for making liquid spray formulations which are further used as an insect repellent such as mosquitoes.
  • Lemongrass oil has unique aromas, and therefore it is used for preparation purposes as a flavoring compound.
  • Lemongrass is used for making natural citral and vitamin A.
  • Traditionally, Lemongrass is used as a hoodoo to protect against evil and is considered as an ingredient to clean a house spiritually.
  • Lemongrass oil is used as a flavoring agent in food and beverages due to its unique flavor. 
  • Lemongrass leaves are used in the preparation of herbal tea, which has a lemon-like flavor.
  • The topical formulation prepared from Lemongrass oil is suitable for skin massage. It is prepared by blending Almond or Coconut oil with Lemongrass oil, and therefore it gets absorbs quickly.
  • Lemongrass oil helps in relieving body pain when used during a bath in a tub of hot water.
  • Lemongrass oil is used in the preparation of hair shampoos.

Health benefits of Lemongrass

  • Lemongrass reduces thrush, which is a fungal infection that commonly affects people with weakened immune systems, especially those with HIV.
  • Lemongrass reduces elevated blood glucose levels in the blood to be beneficial in diabetes management. 
  • Lemongrass oil has excellent antioxidant and anti-inflamma
  • tory properties.
  • The regular intake of Lemongrass in the diet helps reduce the risk of complications developed during diabetes.
  • Since the Lemongrass is native to several countries, the stalks of the plant are used for chewing to improve dental health and keep the mouth fresh from germs.
  • Lemongrass is a very effective herb for managing cold and cough. Lemongrass helps to control the cough by releases mucus and clears air passages. This further allows the patient to breathe freely. 
  • One better way to control the anxiety is to smell the aroma of Lemongrass.
  • Lemongrass essential oil is used to prepare the inhalers, which helps in relieving anxiety and stress.
  • Drinking lemongrass herbal tea daily for 30 days helps increase hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, and packed cell volume of blood in the body. 
  • Drinking Lemongrass herbal tea daily helps to enhance the erythropoiesis boosting effect.
  • Lemongrass has diuretic properties, and thus it stimulates the kidneys for releasing more urine than usual. 
  • Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which helps to prevent the growth of infection-causing bacteria and yeast. 
  • Lemongrass has Ropan property, and the Lemongrass oil is helpful in formulations helps to control yeast infection in the mouth.
  • Lemongrass contains several antioxidants components that can help quench the free radicals produced in the body during a stressful situation.
  • The shampoo’s rich in lemongrass oil helps to fight against hair fall and dandruff.
  • The research showed that the citral in Lemongrass possesses the potent anticancer abilities that help fight cancer cell lines.
  • It is observed that the consumption of Lemongrass tea has a significant role in dropping the systolic blood pressure, whereas a mild increase in diastolic blood pressure. 
  • The decoction or Kadha prepared from Lemongrass twice a day helps in managing the weight loss. This is due to the removal of excess toxins from the body, which further improves metabolism.
  • Regular drinking of Lemongrass tea helps in managing the cholesterol level.
  • The intake of Lemongrass helps in reducing stomachaches such as gas or flatulence. 
  • Consumption of Lemongrass herbal tea regularly helps to improve digestive fire to prevent gas.

The recommended dosage of Lemongrass

The ayurvedic dosage of Lemongrass varies according to its variants of different forms of Lemongrass products.

ProductPreparationDosage/ Day
PowderTake one cup of hot water and add  ½ teaspoons of dried Lemongrass leave powder into it. Then wait for 10 minutes and filter it. Two times
TeaTake one cup of boiled water and put one tea bag of Lemongrass into it. Allow it to brew for 3 minutes, then add honey into it for taste.Two times
Lemongrass oilTake five drops of Lemongrass oil and mix it with two teaspoons of Coconut oil. Apply the mixture on the scalp and massage well.Once a week

Precautions while taking Lemongrass supplements and products

  • The drinking of Lemongrass tea is avoided during pregnancy, someone with diuretics, someone with low heart rate problems, and someone with a low potassium level.
  • Consumption of Lemongrass through the mouth seems to start the menstrual flow, which could potentially lead to miscarriage.
  • To avoid irritation and allergies to the skin, Lemongrass oil is always diluted with some carrier oil like coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil.
  • Application of Lemongrass oil on the skin may cause a rash, irritation.

FAQs

Is Lemongrass suitable for stomach problems (gas formation)?

Yes, Lemongrass consumption is good for managing the gas problems in the stomach. It is well understood that the cause of flatulence or gas is due to an imbalance of Pitta and Vata dosha. Aggravated Vata dosha and low pitta dosha result in lower digestive fire, which helps impair digestion. Impaired digestion leads to gas formation and causes stomach pain. Therefore, consumption of Lemongrass herbal tea helps to improve digestive fire and prevent gas formation from providing relief in stomach pain.

Is Lemongrass oil beneficial in controlling dandruff?

Yes, the application of Lemongrass oil on the scalp helps to control the dandruff problems. Lemongrass oil or extract has anti-dandruff properties. This helps in cleaning the scalp to prevent further irritation. For controlling chronic dandruff due to excessive dryness on the scalp, the application of Lemongrass oil is very beneficial.

Does Lemongrass cause miscarriages?

There is not much scientific literature available to prove this. But the consumption of Lemongrass is responsible for uterine bleeding, which further leads to loss of pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of Lemongrass during pregnancy.

Summary

Another name of Lemongrass is citronella, and it is a tall and stalky plant. Lemongrass has a fresh and citrus flavor. It is very commonly used in cooking and for preparing formulations for bug repellent. The oil extracted from Lemongrass is used in aromatherapy, and it helps to reduce stress. The leaves of Lemongrass are used to extract the oil and further used to make medicine. Decoction or Lemongrass tea helps to improve oral health, relieve bloating, and lowers cholesterol.

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