Description
Lemongrass is named such but has no connection with lemons except that it
has a strong lemon-like aroma and taste.
It is a tropical herb that grows as a long, thin-bladed, green grass in a
bush with scallion-like base, and used widely in Africa.
As with all grasses, lemongrass is very fibrous and cannot be eaten as it
is. You can juice it. or make tea of it. It has tremendous health benefits that are
especially helpful when consumed during a juice fast/feast or when on a detox
program as it helps rebalance the intestinal flora.
Nutritional Benefits
Do not let this humble grass deceive you. It is packed with so much goodness
that it can help improve so many chronic conditions. Nutrition-wise, it is a
good source of vitamins A and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron,
potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese; with minute traces of the B
vitamins
From the leaves and stems, citronella oil is obtained for making insect
repellent, soap, perfumery and flavorings.
Health Benefits
Lemongrass has long been widely used in African countries for its medicinal
properties and also in culinary.
What makes it so effective in many medical condition is that it has certain
anti-septic compounds that effectively kill the harmful micro-organisms
(bacteria, yeast, fungal, parasites, etc.) in the digestive tract, YET
preserving the beneficial bacteria.
For a healthy digestive tract, lemongrass is made into therapeutic tea that
is drunk regularly to see its efficacy:
Anemia: Thanks to
its high content in iron, which is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin
(the protein in red cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body)
lemongrass is helpful for various types of anemia, especially those resulting
from iron deficiency.
Anti-cancer: A
study was done to show that lemongrass contains citral, an anti-cancer property
that could cause cancer cells to die, yet preserves the healthy tissues.
However, this does not mean that drinking lemongrass juice/tea alone will heal
your cancer; it helps.
Anti-inflammatory and anti-septic:
Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties, lemongrass juice
can be used as a valuable aid for treating arthritis, gout and inflammation of
the urinary tract.
Bacterial or fungal infection:
Thanks to its anti-septic properties, drinking lemongrass tea for a
season helps to eliminate the bad micro-organism, detoxify and purify the
blood, keeping bacterial, fungal or yeast infections in check.
Balsamic action:
Due to its content in volatile oils, lemongrass has a beneficial,
balsamic action on the respiratory tract. So it can be used to relieve the
symptoms associated with flu, cold and hay fever.
Detoxifying: The
anti-oxidant, anti-septic and diuretic effect of lemongrass make it an
important ingredient to be included in the diet when detoxifying. It helps to
cleanse and purify the liver, kidneys, bladder, pancreas and increases blood
circulation. The diuretic effect helps carry out the toxins from the process to
be eliminated effectively.
Diabetes: The
purifying and cleansing effect of lemongrass tea help to cleanse/detoxify the
pancreas and improve its functions, thus lowering blood sugar level in
diabetics.
Digestive health:
Lemongrass helps regulate intestinal function and motility due to its
anti-microbial properties. It helps to kill bad bacteria and parasites,
repopulate the good bacteria in the colon, thus assisting to improve
digestive-related problems like: indigestion, constipation, diarrhea,
intestinal bloating, flatulence, stomach spasms, vomiting and cramps.
Gastritis or Heartburn: A
warm mug of lemongrass tea can be very soothing when having gastritis or acid
indigestion. Drinking the tea therapeutically will gradually reduce the
recurrence of both gastritis and heartburn.
High blood pressure:
The high potassium content promotes diuresis, thereby helping to lower
and regulate blood pressure. Regularly drinking lemongrass tea is encouraged.
High cholesterol:
Lemongrass has an anti-cholesterol and anti-atherosclerosis action. It
helps reduce both the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, as well as
the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in the blood, thus preventing one of the first
steps in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Insomnia: Insomnia
happens due to internal chemical imbalance or nervous disorders. The purifying
activities and calming effect of lemongrass help improve sleep.
Nervous system:
Magnesium, phosphorous and folate are important nutrients needed for
healthy functioning of the nervous system. They help improve concentration,
memory and the brain’s ability to process information.
Purifying action:
Perhaps the most characteristic action of lemongrass is its purifying
effect on the whole body, since it helps eliminate toxins from the body by
enhancing the cleansing of the colon.
Skin health: When
blood is purified, circulation is improved, skin health will follow suit.
Regularly drinking lemongrass tea helps to improve acne problem, eczema and
psoriasis.
Weight loss:
Drinking lemongrass tea helps to melt fats in a detoxifying manner. The diuretic
effect helps carry out the wastes in high volume, effectively and quickly,
resulting in weight loss.
Nigeria Natural Health Online will update you on how best to prepare lemongrass for domestic use. keep a date with us.
