Lemongrass known by its scientific name as Cymbopogon citratus is an herb which belongs to the grass family of Poaceae.

As the name implies, it smells like lemon but it tastes milder and sweeter. It is a perennial plant with thin, long leaves that is indigenous to India and tropical Asian countries.

It is a coarse and tufted plant with linear leaves that grows in thick bunches, emerging from a strong base and standing for about 3 meters in height with a meter-wide stretch.

In addition to its culinary uses, lemongrass is useful in alternative or complementary remedies for a wide range of ailments.

The health benefits of lemongrass include relief from stomach disorders, insomnia, respiratory disorders, fever, aches, infections, rheumatism and edema.

The defensive antioxidant activity of the lemongrass herb protects against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and helps in maintaining optimum cholesterol levels, cellular health, nervous system, healthy skin and immune system. It is also effective in treating type 2 diabetes, cancer, and obesity, while also aiding in detoxification.

It is extensively used in aromatherapy and helps to combat fatigue, anxiety and body odor.

Nutritional Value of Lemongrass
Nutritionally, lemongrass is an aromatic storehouse of a good source of vitamins A and C, folate, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese. It also has minute traces of B vitamins.

Health Benefits of Lemongrass
It has many beneficial medicinal properties including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antipyretic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, galactogogue, insecticidal, sedative, and anti-cancer properties.

All these properties are attributed to the flavonoids and phenolic compounds asuch as luteolin, glycosides, quercetin, kaempferol, elimicin, catecol, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid which are present in lemon grass. The leaves, stems and bulb of lemongrass are used in various treatments.

Some of the most well known health benefits of lemongrass include:

1. Cholesterol Reduction

Lemongrass possesses anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hypercholesterolemic properties that support healthy cholesterol levels.

The anti-cholesterol and anti-atherosclerosis action of lemongrass helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. Plus, it helps in the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in the blood, which in turn helps prevent atherosclerotic plaque buildup.

Research Studies shows that the regular consumption of lemongrass has shown significant results in sustaining healthy levels of triglycerides and reducing the LDL cholesterol in the body.

2. Detoxification

Regular consumption of lemongrass tea helps cleanse and detoxify the body as a result of its diuretic properties. The diuretic nature of lemongrass helps remove toxins, uric acid and bad cholesterol from the body by increasing the frequency and quantity of urination. Urination also helps clean out the kidneys.

Plus, the cleansing properties of this herbal tea help purify the liver, kidneys, bladder and pancreas. It also plays a key role in increasing blood circulation, which is important for overall health.

Drink lemongrass tea on a regular basis to help your body get rid of harmful elements.

3. Cold, Cough and Catarrh

Lemongrass has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that help your body cope with coughs, fever and other cold and flu symptoms. Plus, it is loaded with vitamin C that boosts your immune system to fight the infection.

Lemongrass can be effective in breaking down mucus and phlegm buildup, which can alleviate problems with breathing. This is mainly beneficial when suffering from bronchitis or asthma.

4. Cancer

Lemongrass is effective in treating various types of cancers without affecting the healthy normal cells of the body.

Research at Ben Gurion University in Israel has shown that lemongrass tea can help fight cancer. A component called citral found in lemongrass causes apoptosis in cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. Simply put, it causes the cancer cells to commit suicide.

Research conducted to prove the anti-cancerous activity of lemongrass has shown promising outcomes in the prevention of skin cancer.

Another study published in 2009 in the journal Fundamentals of Clinical Pharmacology found that citral in lemongrass slows the growth of breast cancer cells and the induction of apoptosis.

5. Reduces Body Odour

Lemongrass oil in a diluted form works as an effective deodorant due to its cleansing and antibacterial properties which help to combat unpleasant body odor and prevent fungal and bacterial infections.

In fact, beauty experts find lemongrass oil more effective than many of the synthetic deodorants available in the market.

The main chemical component found in lemongrass is citral, which is aromatic. It can also be added to foot baths to for sanitizing sore and odorous feet.

In addition, lemongrass will not cause skin irritation or exacerbate skin allergies.

6. Skin Care

Lemongrass is also beneficial for your skin.

Lemongrass has been treasured as a skin tonic and makes an effective cleanser for oily or acne-prone skin, due to its astringent and antiseptic qualities

Due to its astringent property, it helps in strengthening the skin tissues, minimizes pores, limits the secretions of oil and makes the kin.

Also, due to its antibacterial, antiseptic and antifungal properties, lemongrass helps limit bacterial or microbial growth on the skin. This in turn helps keep your skin free of infections as well as lessen issues caused by bacteria or fungal infections.

7. Insomnia

A cup of lemongrass tea aids in calming the muscles and nerves which helps in inducing more peaceful sleep.

Research has shown that lemongrass tea has sedative and hypnotic properties which help in increasing the duration and quality of sleep.

It also promotes a healthier nervous system and can assist in the fight against anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and chronic fatigue.

8. Reduces Fever

Lemongrass is a febrifuge and is also known as the ‘fever grass’, owing to its beneficial effects in lowering fevers.

The anti-pyretic and diaphoretic effect of lemongrass is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine for curing fevers by inducing sweating.

9. Type-2 Diabetes

Lemon grass tea contains the compound citral, which has been shown to help maintain optimal insulin levels and support better glucose tolerance in the body.

Lemongrass has been proven beneficial in treating Type-2 diabetes.

10. Stomach Disorders

Lemongrass essential oil has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties which help in fighting the infections caused by various pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli.

It is beneficial in the prevention of gastrointestinal disorders such as gastric ulcers, helps in stimulating the bowel function, and improves digestion.

The anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass are beneficial for treating constipation, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, heartburn, bloating, flatulence, stomach spasms, vomiting and cramps

11. Aromatherapy

Lemongrass consists of the beneficial ingredients of essential oils such as nerol, citronellol, myrcene, dipentene, geraniol and methyl heptenone which possess anti-fungal, insecticidal and antiseptic properties.

Lemongrass oil is extensively used in aromatherapy, due to its therapeutic effects, which help in revitalizing and refreshing the body.

The cooling effect of lemongrass oil is beneficial for the body during hot weather and promotes the revival of both the mind and soul

12. Obesity

Lemongrass contains the compound citral, which has been proven to be effective in combating obesity

It prevents the accumulation of abdominal fat and promotes the use of stored energy, which helps in preventing diet-induced weight gain.

It aids in healthy metabolism and enhances the oxidation of fatty acids in the body.

Sourcee: http://www.currenthealthtips.com/2017/03/12-amazing-health-benefits-lemongrass/

How is the grass used biko?