Tweet

Lemon grass used for gastro-intestinal problems stomachaches, diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu, and headaches more...(more)

What is Lemongrass Lemon Grass is widely popular for its citrus scent and flavor...used as herbal remedy for skins infections ....(more)

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

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

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

Scientific Name: Cymbopogon citratus

Also knows as:
English : Lemon Grass, Camel’s Hay, Citronella, Geranium Grass, Cochin 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

Lemon grass (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. Lemon grass use in cooking has become popular in the Caribbean and in the United States for its aromatic citrus flavor with a trace of ginger.

Lemon grass 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.

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

Lemon grass oil is extracted by steam distillation. Lemongrass 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'. Lemon grass oil is a valuable ingredient in cosmetics, perfumes and as fragrances for soaps and insect repellants.

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

Lemon grass 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.

Lemon grass 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.

Lemongrass 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.

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

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

Lemongrass 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

Lemongrass 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.

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

 

Lemon Grass Tea Preparation

Pound or cut about 10 leaves of lemon grass 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 lemon grass herbal tea as needed. When symptoms persist or irritation occurs stop the use and consult your doctor.

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

Lemon grass Liniment Prepartion

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

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

Lemongrass Baths and Compress

Chop about a cup of lemon grass 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.

Lemon grass 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.

 

Lemongrass 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(s)

• Skin Irritation, discomfort, and rash
• Lowered blood glucose

While Lemongrass is not known to have an adverse effect with known drugs and supplements. NonethelessIt is advisable to linit the use of Lemonngrass for the following medical conditions

• Individuals taking oral diabetes drugs

• Individuals taking anti-hypertensive drugs

• Individuals with diabetes and / or individuals who are hypoglycemic

In rare cases, lemongrass 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 lemongrass (herb or oil) in the eyes.

 

Culinary and Food Preparation

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

Insect and Sanke Repellant

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

Cosmetics, Fragrances

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

 

The link between lemongrass 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 lemongrass 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 lemongrass, 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, lemongrass oil).

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.

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.

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

 

Shadab, Q., Hanif, M. & Chaudhary, F.M. (1992) Antifungal activity by lemongrass essential oils. Pak. J. Sci. Ind. Res. 35, 246-249.

Leite JR, Seabra Mde L, Maluf E, et al. (July 1986). "Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects on humans".

 Dudai N, Weinstein Y, Krup M, Rabinski T, Ofir R (May 2005). "Citral is a new inducer of caspase-3 in tumor cell lines". Planta Med.

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