15 Surprising Health Benefits of Lemongrass

Lemongrass health benefits includes detoxifying the body, fighting off biofilm, preventing anemia, supporting good sleep, relieving pain, boosting body immunity, enhancing the skin and promoting healthy cells. Other benefits includes treating arthritis, treating anxiety and depression, treating fever, preventing cancer and promoting digestion.

What is Lemongrass?

Lemongrass is a medicinal plant, native to India. It is commercially cultivated in Guatemala, South India. Its leaves and the plant are used in many herbal medicines for their healing properties. It can be made into a tea, and its oil is used in many remedies for respiratory and digestive disorders.  Lemongrass is high in antioxidants that are effective in controlling the cholesterol in the body and also boost cellular health.

It is an herb which is used mostly in the Asian cuisine; it has a tangy lemon-like flavor and is added to the broths dried or fresh. It is added to meat, poultry, and seafood dishes and adds a vibrant citrus flavor to the food. Lemongrass oil can be used as a preservative and is also helpful in repelling insects such as mosquitoes and flies. Lemongrass is also used to attract bees when trying t extract honey from the hives.

Countries such as India, Pakistan, Cambodia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka are major exporters of lemongrass. Lemongrass is also a note in perfumes and gives off a fresh, clean scent. Lemongrass is an important part of the ancient Ayurvedic medicine.

The nutritional composition of lemongrass is also quite impressive; this herb is extremely beneficial for the body and mind. It contains vitamins such as vitamin B1, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, and folate. Not only is it full of essential vitamins is also a good source of minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, potassium, and calcium.

The composition of minerals and vitamins speaks for itself. It is a good addition to our diets and has many benefits. Here are 15 of its wonderful benefits

15 Surprising Health Benefits Of Lemongrass

1. Detox

The most talked about health trend these days is detoxifying. You will reap the benefits of detoxification even if you are doing it just to keep up with your friends. Lemongrass is an herb and like many other herbs such as coriander possesses detoxifying properties. Lemongrass has diuretic properties that eliminate the toxins from the body through urination. This is very helpful in maintaining a clean and toxin-free liver. Lemongrass also helps clean the kidneys by increasing the frequency of urination.

2. Anti-Biofilm

Lemongrass has anti-biofilm properties that are effective on the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that are otherwise unaffected by antibiotics. The phenols that are present in the lemongrass help to fight off and cure and biofilm activities in the body. This creates a barrier and protects the body from infections. Lemongrass oil has also been used as a topical treatment for killing germs for decades.

3. Prevents Anemia

Lemongrass tea is excellent for women when expecting. It has many benefits which include the fact that provides iron and folates to the body. But, its use is not limited to pregnant women; it is also very helpful in curing anemia and preventing it in the first place. Intake of lemongrass will help to keep your hemoglobin levels up and prevent any diseases related to iron deficiency.

4. Insomnia

Lemongrass tea and lemongrass oil are very effective in calming the nerves. It will help you sleep quickly and better. A cup of lemongrass tea before bed and a few drops of lemongrass essential oil in the diffuser make for a good night’s sleep. Sleep is necessary for a healthy mind and body.

5. Pain Relief

Lemongrass possesses analgesic properties that calm the throbbing in your head when you experience headaches or migraines. Lemongrass contains phytonutrients that are very effective in treating spasms and muscle cramps. Athletes should keep using lemongrass in their diets as it boosts recovery.

6. Immunity Booster

A strong immune system can guarantee a healthy life. Lemongrass has many healing properties. It helps heal the body of respiratory, heart, anemia and other diseases. This helps the body build a strong immunity. Cytokines are the signaling molecules in the body; lemongrass calms these molecules by reducing any inflammation in them.

7. Skin Care

Lemongrass has astringent and antiseptic properties that are very useful in treating skin conditions such as acne and preventing further breakouts. It is an ingredient used in night oils and serums to prevent skin inflammation. It is necessary that you always use the diluted version of lemongrass oil in your skin care routine as it has quite a strong effect on its own.

8. Healthy Cells

Due to its antioxidant properties, it is very effective in slowing down the cell degeneration process. It increases the elimination of affected blood cells from the body. The potassium and folate help in cell division and DNA synthesis.

9. Therapy

Lemongrass oil has many calming properties. It is oil that has been used in aromatherapy for rages; it is also diffused while treating patients suffering from anxiety and depression as it helps calm the mind and think clearly.

10. Treating Arthritis

Lemongrass essential oil is very useful in the treatment of pain for arthritis. It is specially used to massage the joints is rheumatoid arthritis. The consumption of lemongrass also helps calm the inflation in the joints.

11. Diabetes

It has a positive effect on Type-II diabetes; it helps in relieving the symptoms and regulating the blood sugar levels. Lemongrass contains citral which is very effective in maintaining the right level of insulin in the blood.

12. Respiration

Lemongrass essential oil aromatherapy is effective in managing a stuffy nose. Ayurvedic medicine has been using lemongrass to treat colds, flu, and coughs. The vitamin C present in lemongrass helps in relieving any respiratory diseases.

13. Fever

It is often referred to as the “fever grass” due to its febrifuge properties. It has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect on fever and lowers it immediately much like conventional medicine. In Ayurvedic medicine, it cures a fever by inducing sweating.

14. Cancer Prevention

It contains antioxidants such as citral which kill the cancerous cells in the body and boost immunity. It has been observed that lemongrass helps eliminate hepatic cancer cells from the body and also inhibit the further expansion of cancerous cells.

15. Digestion

It is very effective in reducing intestinal inflammation; it helps ensure a healthy bowel movement and proper elimination of stool from the body. Lemongrass oil has antimicrobial properties that prevent gastrointestinal diseases and promote overall gut health. It is also useful for the treatment of diarrhea and constipation

Bottom Line

It has excellent health benefits including the prevention of cancer. It has also been observed to have a positive impact on improving the cognitive abilities of the human brain. It is viewed as a tonic for the brain as it helps to prevent convulsions and various other nervous disorders.