LEMON GRASS
Botanical: Cymbopogon citratus Family: Gramineae (grass) - Poaceae (haygrass) Other common names: Oil Grass, Fever Grass, Lemon Grass, Citronella, Capim, Fever Tea
LEMON GRASS
Botanical: Cymbopogon citratus Family: Gramineae (grass) - Poaceae (haygrass) Other common names: Oil Grass, Fever Grass, Lemon Grass, Citronella, Capim, Fever Tea
Lemongrass is a mild sedative. Try it for your insomnia, or when you are under stress, or even if you need help to calm a nervous or upset stomach. The herb is also said to relieve headaches, lower intermittent fevers and rid the lungs of mucus. Lemongrass also acts as an effective antimicrobial, antifungal and antibacterial.
History:
Lemongrass is a perennial and intensely fragrant herb, native to Asia, and widely cultivated as a commercial crop throughout the tropics and subtropics of the world. The plants grow well in sandy soils in warm, humid climates in full sun with adequate drainage. The narrow foliage of Lemongrass ranges from blue-green to gold, and the flowers are white, cream or green. It ranges in height from about three to five feet and is a bitter, aromatic grass with leaves used in herbal medicines and herbal teas. Lemongrass is also highly valued commercially as a common food flavoring and ingredient in baked goods, confections, cosmetics, perfumes, creams and soaps, and the oil is used in hair oils and herbal baths. The herb's lemony flavor is widely used in Asian (particularly Thai, Lao, Sri Lankan, Khmer and Vietnamese) and Caribbean cuisines. Lemongrass is used in traditional Brazilian medicine as an analgesic and sedative, a use that is copied around the world. Some of the constituents of Lemongrass include essential oils (including terpineol, myrcene, citral (its most active ingredient), citronellol, geraniol and limonene, among others), alpha-pinene, beta-sitosterol, coumarin, tannin and ursolic acid. The large amounts of citral and geraniol in Lemongrass are lemon-scented and rose-scented respectively. Lemongrass also includes nutritious calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.
Beneficial Uses:
Lemongrass is widely used as an analgesic, an agent that reduces the sensation of pain, and has been effective in relieving painful headaches. Its essential oil, myrcene, is the constituent that produces this effect and confirms the longtime Brazilian use of the herb for pain. The herb is also believed to relieve spasms, muscle cramps and rheumatism
As a mild sedative, Lemongrass's myrcene is an effective relaxant that acts as central nervous system depressant and helps people under stress and hypertension. It is also used to relieve insomnia, again confirming the Brazilians' longtime use of the herb for sedation.
Lemongrass is an aromatic and cooling herb that is used to increase perspiration and relieve fevers and help treat minor, feverish illnesses. Furthermore, it also acts as a diuretic and helps promote urination and relieves retained water.
Lemongrass is considered a bitte and said to help the gastrointestinal tract and ease indigestion, flatulence and stomach discomforts. This grass is rich in a substance called citral, the active ingredient that is also in lemon peel, and this substance is said to relieve digestive disturbances and intestinal irritations.
As an effective antifungal and antimicrobial, Lemongrass is believed to dispel bacterial infections and has been used to treat internal parasites. The herb has shown strong antibacterial activity against several human pathogens, and a study in 1988, found increased activity against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
Lemongrass is used to treat colds, sore throats and flu (especially with headaches and fevers) and is reputed to reduce and slow the discharge of mucus in respiratory conditions, due in part to its astringent properties.
Lemongrass may possess anti-mutagenic properties. Recent studies have demonstrated that myrcene has been found to reduce toxic and mutagenic effects.
Rich in geraniol and citral, Lemongrass may contribute to lowering serum cholesterol. It may work by interfering with an enzyme reaction and inhibiting the formation of cholesterol from simpler fats
Used externally, the herb is an effective treatment for lice, ringworm, athlete's foot and scabies, and it is also an insect repellent.
Lemongrass is a tonic and supplement that is believed to be of great benefit to the skin and nails and is often used by herbalists to help clear blemishes and maintain balanced skin tone.
Contraindications:
Currently, there are no known contraindications or warnings when taking therapeutic doses of Lemongrass but there have been some reports of allergies and if there is any indication discontinue use.
Return To Medicinal Tea Inflammation, Chronic Pain / Insomnia (Stress)
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Disclaimer: The information presented herein by Organic Herbs Medicine Cabinet is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.