On hearing the name of lemon grass, one remembers the lemon grass tea of winter, but the aroma and properties of clearing phlegm from the throat are just a little information about it. The benefits of lemon grass are much more than this because it contains many nutrients and is full of medicinal properties. Everyone should be aware of the benefits of lemon grass, the disadvantages of lemon grass, things related to lemon grass, which is considered a part of the grass family.
What is Lemon Grass
Found in Southeast Asia, lemon grass is part of the grass family and it is also known as lemon grass. It looks like grass, but its length is more than common grass and its scent is like lemon. Its scientific name is Cymbopogon, but it is called by many other names such as barbed wire grass, silky heads, cochin grass, Malabar grass, oily heads, citronella grass and fever grass. Apart from Asia, this medicinal plant is also found in Africa and Australia.
Medicinal Properties of lemon Grass
Lemongrass oil and leaves have long been used in Ayurvedic remedies. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, lemon gram has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. Because of this, lemon grass remains useful in many diseases and infections.
Nutritional Value of Lemon Grass
There is no shortage of nutrients in lemongrass. It can be estimated that per 100 grams of lemon grass contains 70.58 grams of water, 99 calories of energy and about 2 grams of protein. The amount of fat in lemon grass is only 0.49 grams, while the carbohydrate content is 25.31 grams. Along with this, it also contains calcium (65 mg), iron (8.17 mg), magnesium (60 mg), phosphorus (101 mg), potassium (723 mg), sodium (6 mg).
Lemon Grass Benefits – 12 Benefits of Lemon Grass for Health
1. Digestion
2. Cholesterol
3. Kidney Health
4. Cancer
5. Weight Loss
6. Sleep Troubles
7. To improve immunity
8. Depression, Stress and Anxiety
9. Diabetes
10. For Arthritis
11. Skin Health and Infections
12. Asthma
1. Digestion
Lemon grass has been found useful in conditions of stomach and digestion related problems like gas, acidity, indigestion. In the year 2012, a research was told that lemon grass gives relief from gastric ulcer.
2. Cholesterol
Lemon grass is considered very effective in controlling cholesterol. According to the National Center for Biotechnological Center, the consumption of lemongrass oil helps a lot in reducing cholesterol.
3. Kidney Health
According to a small study published in the Journal of Renal Nutrition, drinking lemongrass tea makes a person pass more urine than any other drink. This is because lemongrass has diuretic properties and due to the passage of more urine, all the toxins of the kidney are removed and it is good for kidney health.
4. Cancer
The citrus present in lemon grass tea and lemon grass oil has properties that help in the prevention of cancer. Apart from this, there are many nutrients in lemon grass which are considered useful either to eliminate cells, or protect against cancer by increasing immunity.
5. Weight Loss
Lemon grass tea is used for detox and it helps in controlling weight by increasing metabolism. Because it reduces bloating due to its diuretic property, it is also considered good for weight loss. Although no scientific facts or research related to it have been revealed yet, yet it is included in the remedy to reduce weight.
6. Sleep Troubles
Lemon grass oil (essential oil) has sedative properties and this is the reason why it is considered one of the home remedies for sleeplessness. These are useful for those who have trouble sleeping. Putting it in a diffuser in the room helps you to sleep well.
7. To improve immunity
The abundance of nutrients and antioxidants present in lemon grass make it useful in increasing the body’s immunity. Drinking lemon grass tea is recommended as a way to increase immunity.
8. Depression, Stress and Anxiety
Lemongrass is rich in magnesium and is considered very useful in reducing stress and anxiety. Many researches have shown that due to lack of magnesium in the body, stress increases. Apart from this, magnesium provides relief from neurodegenerative diseases such as vertigo, anxiety or mind stimulating diseases such as nervousness.
Along with this, lemon grass also has anti-depressant properties which make it effective for patients of depression. In these situations, using lemon grass in the diffuser in the room is also beneficial.
9. Diabetes
Lemon grass is also considered beneficial for diabetic patients and has been used to control sugar for a long time. Diabetic patients can also take advantage of stevia by adding stevia to lemongrass tea.
10. For Arthritis
In arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, pain starts in all the joints of the body along with symptoms of inflammation. Lemon grass is also very beneficial in the remedies to eliminate arthritis. The oil in lemongrass has anti-inflammatory properties. Arthritis patients can take advantage of its benefits by massaging lemon grass oil on the joints.
11. Skin Health and Infections
Lemon grass essential oil is very useful for healthy skin and infection free skin. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of lemon grass protect the skin from pimples, nails or any other kind of infection. In addition, the antioxidants present in lemon grass neutralize the free radicals that damage the skin.
12. Asthma
Lemongrass has long been used in Ayurveda for the treatment of cold, cough and fever. Vitamin C present in lemongrass relieves congestion, bronchial asthma and other respiratory problems.
Disadvantages of Lemon Grass
In this way, the amount of lemon grass used in tea or food items is usually safe, but still some people suffer from dizziness, dry mouth, frequent urination and There may be fatigue. People who are allergic to lemon grass may experience itching, rashes etc.
During pregnancy, people taking medicines as diuretics, people with low blood pressure and those who have low levels of potassium in their body should not consume lemon grass.
Always keep lemon grass oil away from children.
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Lemon Grass Uses – How to Use Lemon Grass
1. Lemon grass has been mostly used for making tea. It can also be made without milk and can also be made by adding it to milk tea.
Lemon Grass Tea Without Milk
Lemon grass tea bags are available in the market like green tea. Apart from this, dried lemon grass is also available.
To make lemon grass tea without milk, take lemon grass in a cup and pour boiling water over it and leave it covered for five minutes. After five minutes the tea is ready to drink.
Milk Lemon Grass Tea
Dried or fresh lemongrass stocks can be used for milked lemongrass tea.
For two cups of milk lemongrass tea, take one and a half cups of water and keep it on the flame. Now cut the green part of the lemon grass stock and crush it a little so that its flavors mix well in the water. Put it in water and boil it for 2 to 3 minutes and then add tea leaves and boil it a little. Now add half a cup of milk and let the tea boil again. Add sugar as per taste and sieve.
2. Lemon grass can be used in vegetable soup, tomato soup or chicken soup.
3. It can also be used in chicken recipe. This makes the taste and aroma of chicken completely different.
4. It can also be used while baking cakes.
5. It is also used in starter made from prawn, chicken.
Lemon grass has both advantages and disadvantages, but it would not be wrong to say that due to the medicinal properties of lemon grass, the benefits of lemongrass are much more. The Side effects of lemon grass is very few and comes to the fore only when its consumption is excessive or someone is allergic to it. Drinking lemon grass tea once or twice a day does not cause any harm and 8 to 10 stocks of it is considered sufficient in food.