Tweet

What is Tanglad Tanglad is widely popular for its citrus scent and flavor...used as herbal remedy for skins infections

Tanglad Herbal Preparation is very easy and practical, follow these steps...(more)

Tanglad used as insect repelant. Used in India and other Asian countries for its ability to repel insects, bugs and even snakes...(more)

Tanglad scientific studies. Studies conducted in animals have shown its effectiveness in lowering blood sugar, inflammation ..(more)

Scientific Name: Cymbopogon citratus

Also knows as:
English : Tanglad, Camel’s Hay, Citronella, Geranium Grass, Cochin Grass, Lemon Grass
French: herbe de citron
German: Zitronengras
Italian: erba di limone
Spanish: hierba de limon
Indian: bhustrina, sera
Indonesian: sere, sereh
Lao: bai mak nao
Malay: serai
Sinhalese: sera
Thai: takrai
Philippines: tanglad

Tanglad (Cymbopogon citratus), a native herb from temperate and warm regions such as India, is widely used in Asian cooking and is an ingredient in many Thai and Vietnamese foods. Tanglad use in cooking has become popular in the Caribbean and in the United States for its aromatic citrus flavor with a trace of ginger.

Tanglad is a member of a specie of grass that grows to as high as 1 meter with leaves of 1 to 1.5 centimeters in width that grows from a stalk of about 30 to 80 cm long with bulbous lower end.

Tanglad is a perennial and tufted grass that is commercially cultivated in Souteast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and China. Tanglad is also cultivated in United States specifically in California and Florida. Propagation is by dividing the root clumps.

Tanglad oil is extracted by steam distillation. Tanglad oil has a lemony, sweet smell and is dark yellow to amber and reddish in color, with a watery viscosity. It is also known as 'choomana poolu' and is also referred to as 'Indian Verbena' or 'Indian Melissa oil'. Tanglad oil is a valuable ingredient in cosmetics, perfumes and as fragrances for soaps and insect repellants.

Tanglad is reportedly has a wide variety of therapeutic application. With limited research and studies conducted on humans, Tanglad effectiveness is based mainly on the results from animal and laboratory studies as well as its reputation as a folk remedy.

 

Tanglad as herbal medicine for gastro-intestinal problems stomachaches, diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu, and headaches Taken as tea, 1 cup every 8 hours. The tea is prepared by boiling about 10 leaves in 2 cups of water, adding sugar to taste and a slice of ginger.

Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as coconut oil is used as a liniment for back pains, rheumatism, neuralgia, sprains and other body pains.

Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as lavender or jasmine oil used in baths or vapor scents can revitalize the body and relieve the symptoms of jetlag, headaches, anxiety and stress related exhaustion.

Tanglad is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat fevers and infectious illnesses. Tanglad is also used in Chinese medicine to treat colds and rheumatism..

To treat circulatory disorders, some authorities recommend rubbing a few drops of Tanglad oil on the skin of affected areas; it is believed to work by improving blood flow.

Tanglad has natural anti-microbial properties, is an antiseptic, suitable for use on various types of skin infections, usually as a wash or compress, and is especially effective on ringworm, infected sores. Acne and athlete's foot

Tanglad is effective in killing cancer cells.

It is useful with respiratory infections such as sore throats, laryngitis and fever and helps prevent spreading of infectious diseases.

Tanglad is also used as an insect repellant. It helps to keep pets clean of fleas, ticks and lice.

 

Tanglad Tea Preparation

Pound or cut about 10 leaves of Tanglad then add in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, strain, add sugar and a slice of ginger to taste. Let it cool and drink a cup three to four times a day. Make new Tanglad herbal tea as needed. When symptoms persist or irritation occurs stop the use and consult your doctor.

Tanglad oil (food grade) can also be used to make tea by diluting 2 teaspoon of Tanglad oil to a cup of boiling water.

Tanglad Liniment Prepartion

Boil equal amounts of chopped leaves and roots with freshly made coconut oil

You can also mix 2 drops of Tanglad oil to an ounce of your usual oil used such as coconut oil, olive oil, etc.

Tanglad Baths and Compress

Chop about a cup of Tanglad leaves to a liter of water. Let it boil and strain. You can add it to your bath or you can use it as herbal compress for skin infections.

Tanglad oil can also be added to a bath or warm water for hot compress. a tablespoon of oil for every 500ml for compress is suggested.

 

Tanglad is not known to be harmful when taken in recommended dosages. However, individuals should always take caution before using any treatment. The essential oil should not be used internally by children, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, or people with liver or kidney disease. When used for various medication, There are reports of the following

• Burning sensation
• Skin irritation, discomfort and rash
• Lowered blood glucose level

While Tanglad is not known to have an adverse effect with known drugs and supplements. Nonetheless it is advisable to limit the use of tanglad for the following medical conditions

• When taking oral diabetes drugs
• When taking anti-hypertensive drugs
• Individuals who are diabetic or hypoglycemic

In rare cases, Tanglad essential oil has caused allergic reactions when applied to the skin. To minimize skin irritation, dilute the oil in a carrier oil such as safflower or sunflower seed oil before application. As with all essential oils, small amounts should be used, and only for a limited time.

Avoid getting Tanglad (herb or oil) in the eyes.

 

Culinary and Food Preparation

Tanglad is widely popular as spice for various culinary and food preparations. Tanglad is popular for its citrus flavor which is widely used in a variety of Asian Cusiines.

Insect and Sanke Repellant

Tanglad is known for its ability to repel insects and bugs. It is also used in India as a snake repellant. Tanglad is planted around the house or onto window sills.

Cosmetics, Fragrances

Tanglad oil has a fruity citrus scent that is widely used as fragrances for soaps, moisturizers, cleansers and deodorants.

Tanglad and Cholesterol. The link between Tanglad and cholesterol was investigated by researchers from the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin, who published their findings in the medical journal Lipids in 1989. They conducted a clinical trial involving 22 people with high cholesterol who took 140-mg capsules of Tanglad oil daily. While cholesterol levels were only slightly affected in some of the participants--cholesterol was lowered from 310 to 294 on average--other people in the study experienced a significant decrease in blood fats. The latter group, characterized as responders, experienced a 25-point drop in cholesterol after one month, and this positive trend continued over the course of the short study. After three months, cholesterol levels among the responders had decreased by a significant 38 points. Once the responders stopped taking Tanglad, their cholesterol returned to previous levels. It should be noted that this study did not involve a placebo group, which is usually used to help measure the effects of the agent being studied (in this case, Tanglad oil).

Tanglad as Antibacterial / Antifungal

1. Studies have shown antibacterial activity, comparable to penicillin.
2. Various studies has shown activity against C albicans, C pseudotropicalis, Mycrosporum gypseum and A niger.
   

Tanglad with Neurobehavioral Effects :

1. Study of myrcene in rats suggests anxiolytic activity.
2. Study of essentail oil produced marked CNS depression in mice, similar to chlorpromazine effect. Also, it increased sleepness time, similar to a thiopental effect.
   

Tangald as Antinociceptive / Analgesic : Myrcene extract from the essential oil has been shown to have an antinociceptive effect.

Tanglad as Antitumoral:

1. Study showed a-myrcene possess antimutagenic activity in mammary cells.
2. Plant compounds, a-limonene and geraniol showed inhibition of liver and intestinal mucous membrane cancer in mice.
3. Study in Thailand showed inhibition of colorectal neoplasia in mice.
4. Study showed inhibitory effects on early phase hepatocarcinogenesis in rats after initiation with diethylnitrosamine

Sambong Herbal Medicine A diuretic herbal remedy for the treatment and dissolution of kidney stones, and in the treatment of hypertension..

Malunggay Herbal Medicine A tropoicl herb known for its nutritional value to combat malnutrition. It is also known for its medicinal properties against cancer.

blog comments powered by Disqus