Lemongrass is a herb known for its citrus flavor and aromatic properties. It has been traditionally used in various cuisines, predominantly Asian and Caribbean dishes, for its unique taste. It is often used in teas, soups, curries, and marinades. Over time, It has gained popularity in Western cuisines as well.
When it comes to the supernatural effects of this popular herb, lemongrass has many benefits to offer. From fighting off skin diseases like skin fungus to regulating blood pressure levels, it helps maintain a good health condition. All this is possible due to its aromatic and medicinal properties. It is herbal tea and essential oil to boost your health. Let us get detailed information on what lemongrass is, its nutritional profile, health benefits, and uses. Read on!
What Is Lemon Grass?
Lemon grass is a stalky green herb with a citrus flavor and lemony aroma. It is typically used for culinary and medicinal purposes. One of the popular ways to include it in your diet is in the form of tea. Providing a bioactive content, it helps treat colds, maintains blood pressure, and aids in weight loss.
On the other hand, it can also be used as an oil in aromatherapy that reduces stress and boosts mood. It also works as a seasoning ingredient for cooking delicious foods and beverages.
Nutrition Value Of Lemon Grass
One ounce of lemon grass provides:
- Protein: 1 gram
- Carbohydrates: 7 grams
- Calories: 30
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
Moreover, lemongrass benefits in providing other nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, and calcium. Iron is essential in supplying oxygen from the lungs to the blood. There are many other benefits the plant provides. Let’s discuss them in detail.
Top Effective Lemon Grass Benefits To Know About
With anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and many more properties, lemongrass offers many potential health benefits. Here, find out some of the effective ones:
1. Helps In Weight Management
Having lemon grass tea in a day can help you manage your weight as it contains a few calories. This herbal tea makes you complete which prevents you from further overeating. It is best to sip it in the daytime as this will also stop frequent cravings.
Moreover, the polyphenols in tea help boost energy and increase fat oxidation, contributing to weight loss. It also works as a detox drink, improving your body metabolic rate. A good metabolism plays a decisive role in weight management. The most exciting fact about this tea is its diuretic properties. Sipping enough of it can shed off some water weight, too.
2. Promotes Skin Health
Thanks to its antioxidant, anti-astringent, and antiseptic properties, lemon grass can effectively promote skin health. The essential lemon grass oil is rich in vitamins A and C, which keep your skin healthy. These nutrients boost blood circulation and cure oily skin problems like pimples and acne. Thus making your skin look fresh and clean.
In addition, drinking lemon grass tea makes your skin radiant by cleaning off pores and strengthening the skin tissues. Its antifungal effects help in fungal infection treatment. Moreover, this herbal plant also cures cellulitis and folliculitis infections with its antibacterial properties. Most importantly, the citrus in it prevents skin cancer.
3. Fight Off Gastric Ulcers
The ulcers that gradually develop on the stomach lining are gastric ulcers. The causes can be too much consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or due to helicobacter pylori infection. These conditions can damage the gut lining that protects the stomach, leading to the appearance of ulcers.
The common symptoms of gastric ulcers include pain around the navel or belly button. But, sometimes, the discomfort occurs in the abdomen on any side, specifically between the chest and belly button. Do not worry, as including lemon grass tea in your diet can help you fight off these ulcers. Its anti-inflammatory properties prevent inflammation, soothe pain, and cure ulcers. In addition, it treats indigestion issues, which also cause stomach ulcers.
4. Manages Blood Pressure
An increase in blood pressure level can lead to some severe complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Using lemongrass tea as a home remedy can control blood pressure levels. It is all because of the potassium that relaxes the walls of the blood vessels.
This, as a result, relieves tension and lowers the internal pressure. Besides this, potassium also controls blood sodium levels. If the level gets too high, it can boost blood pressure. So, if you are struggling with blood pressure issues, add this nutritious herbal tea to your morning and evening diet plan.
5. Strengthens Immune System
Since lemongrass is loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties, it helps strengthen immune health by fighting against the common flu and cold. This herbal tea is highly rich in vitamins A and C, which boost immunity by keeping health issues at bay.
Moreover, a study says, that when we talk about cytokines, these signaling molecules enable the cells to react and communicate with the body. Lemon grass extract effectively affects the inflammatory effects of these molecules, thus strengthening the immune system. Sip a hot lemon grass tea to prevent inflammation and soothe throat irritation.
6. Aid In Body Detoxification
As lemongrass tea is blessed with diuretic properties, it benefits in removing toxic wastes from the body. Detoxification helps decrease uric acid levels and regulate many body organs, such as the kidneys and liver.
Moreover, the diuretic qualities of this herbal tea help improve the frequency and quantity of urination. This, consequently, maintains digestive health, removes accumulated fats, and promotes a clean body system.
7. Soothes Arthritis Pain
Well, lemon grass treats arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, and many other joint pains with its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Being anti-inflammatory, it can suppress the action of cyclooxygenase-2, a potent enzyme that triggers inflammation, causing discomfort in joints.
Additionally, this herb relaxes the muscles and soothes muscle cramps or sprains. It, as a result, prevents symptoms related to joint pain. Just mix lemon grass and coconut oil in a ratio of 1:2, mix it, and rub it in the affected site. Leave it for hours before cleaning it. You can do this process for some weeks, daily. If you want, you can also have it as tea two times a day.
8. Reduces Cancer Risks
Lemon grass is highly rich in citral, which possesses anti-cancer effects. It is considered to be effective in fighting against different types of cancer. The stalk of this herbal plant is an excellent source of geranial and chlorogenic acid, which also has anti-cancer properties.
These anti-cancer effects of the herb make it able to break down free radicals present in the body. And these free radicals are the causes of some types of cancer. Consuming this herbal tea can prevent cancer cell growth within the body. Even many medical professionals use it as an add-on therapy for cancer patients in chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
9. Fights Off Depression
A research says lemon grass possesses anti-depressant qualities that treat depression. This aromatic herb stimulates the serotonin release which is a chemical in the brain that fights off depression. In addition, it uplifts mood, boosts confidence, relieves anxiety, and enhances mental strength.
Besides this, citronella in lemon grass benefits in providing a calming effect on the mind and the body. This helps inducing a sound sleep. So, whenever you feel low or depressed, sip a hot cup of tea. This herbal drink will keep you calm and relaxed.
How To Use Lemon Grass In Food?
Lemon grass is blessed with many nutrients, making it a nutritious herb to add to your diet and wondering how to use lemon grass in food recipes? Well, there are many cuisines you can cook using such herbal leaves.
- You can use lemongrass to make hot or iced tea. For hot tea, boil it in a glass of water. And for the iced tea, let the mixture cool and then serve it with ice on it.
- Use lemongrass to prepare the zesty Thai lemon-lime shrimp or roasted lemongrass chicken. You can also schedule a lemon grass lamb chop recipe.
- Moreover, you can also cook tom yum soup. Use lemon grass, shrimp, garlic, red chili peppers, coconut milk, and makrut lime for cooking. Thai chicken noodle soup can also be a delicious option. Also, Thai carrot soup can be a unique dish to try which is a combination of lemongrass and ginger.
- Besides this, it infuses flavor into many types of sauces. You can prepare simple lemon grass ginger sauce for enjoying your seafood. Plus, trying white wine and lemongrass sauce can be a great option to add taste to mussels. It undoubtedly gives your cuisines a mouthwatering flavor.
Conclusion
Indeed, lemon grass is a wholesome and nutritious herb that is highly nutrient-dense. Rich in different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it helps regulate blood pressure, boosts immunity, controls weight, and prevents cancer.You can make the most of this nutritious herb by adding it to your favorite food recipes or drinks. Just serve yourself a cup of lemongrass tea, flavored soups, or curries.
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