From easing anxiety to promoting weight loss, it has many benefits.
From the name of it, lemongrass may sound like grass with a lemon taste, but nothing
like it. This tall, stalky green plant comes with a fresh, lemony aroma with less citrus flavor. It is an herb that comes with many health benefits if taken with tea or water, or else used for aromatherapy. Its long leaves are similar to those of seagrasses.
A native to Sri Lanka and South India, lemongrass is a common ingredient in Asian cooking but is also used in brewing tea. The lemongrass essential oil is used in aromatherapy to bring in a fresh air atmosphere, which further helps in reducing stress and uplifting the mood. This mood effect further helps in promoting sleep, relieving pain, and boosting immunity. So this grass has a lot of health benefits and can be enjoyed in various forms.
Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties
Lemongrass contains antioxidants that help remove free radicals from the body, which can be an active cause of many diseases. Usage of lemongrass is also done to treat oral infections and cavities. According to a 2012 study, lemongrass essential oil proved antimicrobial abilities against Streptococcus mutans bacteria, responsible for tooth decay. It also helps reduce thrush, a fungal infection that commonly affects people with weakened immune systems.
Anti-inflammatory
The two main compounds in lemongrass, namely citral and geranial, are said to help in reducing inflammation caused due to a stroke or any other form. These two compounds help stop the release of certain inflammation-causing compounds in the body.
Anxiety reliever
Yes, you heard that right. While you might have heard of lavender and peppermint tea to be the most effective way of reducing anxiety, even lemongrass helps in doing the same. Even smelling lemongrass can help people deal with anxiety. You can take it either in the form of tea, but boiling the grass, or inhale it in the form of essential oil.
Lowers cholesterol and helps in digestion
According to studies, consuming lemongrass extracts helps in lowering cholesterol levels. However, the study showed that the reaction depended on the dose intake. At the same time, consuming lemongrass in the form of tea also helps people with constipation, upset stomach, and stomach cramping.
Controls BP
It helps a great deal of people with high BP as it helps calm them down. It directly helps in calming the nerves, which in turn helps in regulating the body and BP.
Lemongrass is also helpful in activating weight loss and helps women relieve pain from PMS.
