Imagine sitting by the window on a cool fall evening, enjoying the breeze and sipping on a hot herbal tea. If you’re looking for a peaceful brew that’s also beneficial for health, lemongrass is the tea to choose.
Lemongrass is a grass-like plant with green and white coloring. It is native to Sri Lanka, Southern India as well as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Grocery stores stock fresh lemongrass usually by the stalk. While health food stores also have lemongrass available in powder form, as a dried herb, and as oil. Lemongrass, also known as citronella, contains a host of compounds that are beneficial to human health. The main ingredient in the lemongrass is citral, which gives this herb it’s lemon-like scent. However, the benefits of lemongrass far surpass aromatherapy. They also include:
Antifungal and anti-microbial properties
Minerals including iron, copper, zinc, manganese, magnesium, calcium and potassium, as well as a host of vitamins. Lemongrass boasts health benefits that address the following diseases and conditions:
- Migraines and headaches
Lemongrass can be used to treat the discomfort caused by migraines due to its pain-relieving properties. Lemongrass is linked to improving blood circulation and helping with alleviating the effects of spasms, sprains and other aches.
- High cholesterol
Studies have shown that lemongrass supports healthy cholesterol levels.
- Stomach disorders
Lemongrass essential oil is often used for its antibacterial properties that aid in fighting infections in the gastrointestinal system, such as gastric ulcers while improving digestion and bowel function.
- Respiratory disorders
Lemongrass is rich in vitamin C, which means its often used in relieving bronchial asthma, nasal blockages, and other respiratory disorders.
- Skin care
Lemongrass is also a powerful astringent with excellent antiseptic qualities that help clean and tone the skin. Studies also link this herb to inhibiting the growth of pathogens, which can lead to skin infections such as ringworm, scabies, and bed sores.
- Fever
There’s a good reason why lemongrass is also known as a “fever grass”, this herb is antipyretic, which means it may help break and lower the temperature of fevers.
- Type II diabetes
Studies have shown that the key ingredient improves glucose tolerance in the body, thus preventing diabetic sugar highs and lows.
- Gouty arthritis
The diuretic effect of lemongrass has also been utilized to help lower the levels of uric acid, which is the primary cause of gout. Lemongrass is also used to treat other types of arthritis due to citral, one of the main analgesic compounds within lemongrass, which can be used as a natural painkiller, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and prevents cell damage.
