What is Lemongrass?
Lemongrass is a green, tall grass that is grown in tropical, hot climates like Asia, Africa, and Australia. Lemongrass is also referred to as Cymbopogon citratus. The plant grows as dense grassy vegetation up to 6 feet. Human beings utilize the white base of the stem, which is also best in flavor and aroma.
The herb got its name due to its lemony aroma, despite being a grass, not a citrus. Lemongrass vs citronella is a common inquiry - although they are part of the same plant genus, lemongrass is generally ingested in food and pharmaceuticals, whereas citronella is generally burned as an insect repellent.
Nutritional Profile of Lemongrass
Lemongrass nutrition facts reveal that the herb contains plenty of goodness for your body without a single calorie. The following are what you possess in lemongrass:
- Vitamins: Lemongrass has vitamins A, C, and folate. These play towards a healthy immune system and healthy skin.
- Minerals: It has iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. These minerals work towards healthy bones, healthy blood, and muscle function.
- Antioxidants: Lemongrass has ingredients that fight harmful things in your body and ward off cell damage.
- Essential Oils: These are the oils responsible for the fragrance of lemongrass as well as most of its medicinal benefits.
Based on lemongrass nutrition facts, lemongrass has only 5 calories per cup, and therefore it is a great choice for individuals on a diet plan.
Health Benefits of Lemongrass
Lemongrass health benefits are heavenly and fostered by ancient tradition and contemporary science. Here are the most significant ways in which lemongrass benefits can improve your health:
Aids Digestion
Lemongrass for digestion employed in intestinal herbal remedy is more than thousands years old. It calms stomach cramps, bloating, and gas. The herb enables your digestive system to function better and may calm irritable stomachs.
Could Help with Weight Loss
Some individuals use lemongrass for weight loss as it can increase metabolism and eliminate water retention. Although additional studies need to be conducted, the consumption of lemongrass tea will assist in managing weight with exercise and diet, making lemongrass for weight loss a popular choice.
Advantages for the Skin:
Lemongrass for skin care is popular because it possesses antibacterial and antifungal property. It is able to fight off acne, control oily skin, and maintain your skin healthy. People apply lemongrass oil in lemongrass for skin care routines.
May Promote Hair Growth
Others apply lemongrass for hair growth because they think that it is effective due to its capability of stimulating blood flow to the scalp. Most people may have more research to conduct, but the majority of people end up having healthier and stronger hair after beginning to use lemongrass oil for lemongrass for hair growth.
Helps Keep Your Heart Healthy
Lemongrass has potassium that will help maintain blood pressure in check, and that is good for your heart. Some believe that it also keeps cholesterol within balance, adding to the lemongrass health benefits.
Has Anti-inflammatory Properties
Lemongrass has chemicals in it that can retard the inflammation process in the body. This proves useful when using it to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions, contributing to lemongrass benefits.
Prevents Infection
The lemongrass has a natural ability to fight infections; it will also work as an antibacterial and antifungal, which may stop some infections from being formed inside your body, showcasing more lemongrass health benefits.
How Lemongrass Can be Used
Lemongrass can be utilized in many ways. The most common uses that individuals use it for are:
Lemongrass Tea
The lemongrass tea benefits include improved digestion, relaxation, and even aid in weight loss. The lemongrass tea is made by steeping dried or fresh lemongrass in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. It is more effective to consume this at night as it has no caffeine content and could probably be a sleep factor. The lemongrass tea benefits make it a popular evening beverage.
Cooking Uses
Lemongrass uses in cooking are limitless. It is among the primary herbs used in the majority of Asian cuisine, especially Thai and Vietnamese. Lemongrass uses in cooking can be added to soups, curries, stir-fries, and marinades. The herb possesses a great, citrusy flavor that takes food to an excellence level.
Lemongrass Oil
Lemongrass essential oil uses are in aromatherapy, massage, and dermatology. Lemongrass essential oil uses include inhalation with a scented scent, blending with a carrier oil to use for massage, or in homemade skincare products. Essential oils must be diluted prior to use on the skin.
Applications in Traditional Medicine
Lemongrass in traditional medicine cured fever, headache, gastric illness and respiratory illness. Lemongrass in traditional medicine practices never replace scientific medicine, but they show how precious humans have been able to render the plant useful across history.
Read More: How to Make Green Tea At Home?
Possible Side Effects and Precautions
Even though lemongrass is mostly harmless for the majority of people, there are a few lemongrass side effects and precautions to be taken into account:
Allergic Reactions
Lemongrass may cause allergy in some people. Lemongrass side effects symptoms are itching, skin rash, or respiratory distress. Stop using lemongrass if you experience any of these lemongrass side effects and seek a doctor's advice.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pregnant and lactating women have to exercise caution while using lemongrass, especially in quantity or as lemongrass oil. A physician has to be consulted beforehand.
Blood Sugar Effects
Lemongrass reduces blood sugar. If you are diabetic or on blood sugar medication, monitor your level closely and consult your physician to avoid lemongrass side effects.
Skin Sensitivity
Lemongrass oil irritates some skins. Apply a small patch test before using lemongrass oil on the extensive skin areas to prevent lemongrass side effects.
Drug Interactions
Lemongrass will act with some drugs, especially blood thinners or diabetes medications. Talk to your physician if you are on drugs daily to prevent potential lemongrass side effects.
How to Use Lemongrass Correctly
To get the most out of lemongrass benefits and stay safe, remember the following:
Start Small
Start with small quantities to see how your body is going to react. You can then build up later to maximize lemongrass health benefits.
Select Quality Products
Buy lemongrass from a quality supplier. Fresh lemongrass is hard to handle and smells strong. Dried lemongrass must be free of mold and no strong smell to ensure you get full lemongrass benefits.
Dilute Essential Oils
Never apply lemongrass oil on the skin directly. Always dilute lemongrass oil using a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil when exploring lemongrass essential oil uses.
Storage
Keep the fresh lemongrass in the fridge for two weeks. Dried lemongrass store in a cool, dry place in an air-tight container to preserve lemongrass nutrition facts.
Listen to Your Body
Be careful using lemongrass. In case you experience even the slightest irritation or discomfort, cease use immediately and seek the guidance of a medical practitioner to avoid lemongrass side effects.
Conclusion
Lemongrass is such an amazing herb that has many different uses in your health and cooking. Starting with lemongrass for digestion and lemongrass for weight loss benefits, all the way through to lemongrass uses in cooking, lemongrass plant must be present in everybody's life. There are quite a few lemongrass benefits, but use it with caution and moderation.
No matter how you use it as a calming lemongrass tea, blend with seasonal food through lemongrass uses in cooking, or try as a beauty remedy with lemongrass for skin and lemongrass for hair growth, lemongrass can be another element of a healthy whole way of life. With all supplements and herbs, always best to talk with your physician before medicinally taking lemongrass, especially if you're ill or on drugs, to avoid lemongrass side effects.
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