Natural Health Remedies: Lemon Grass

Natural Herbs - Lemon Grass

Lemon grass (scientific name: Cymbopogon ciatrus)

It is widely used as a herb in Asian cooking. It has a citrus flavour and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh.The stalk itself is too hard to be eaten except for the soft inner part. However, it can be finely sliced and added to recipes. It may also be bruised and added whole as this releases the aromatic oils from the juice sacs in the stalk. The main constituent of lemongrass oil is citral, which makes up around 80% of the total.

Lemon grass is commonly used in teas, soups, and curries. It is also suitable for poultry, fish, and seafood. It is often used as a tea in African and Latino-American countries.

East-Indian Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus), also known as serai in Malay, is assumed to have its origins in Malaysia. Common and popular names of Lemon Grass around the world.

Description of the herb lemon grass

Lemon Grass is an aromatic herb, that has robust, lemon scented linear leaves growing up to 3 feet tall.

Parts Used

The lower portion of the stock.

Properties

It has a pleasant lemony fragrance and has antimicrobial, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant and anti-fungal properties.It contains citral - geranial and neral, as well as other monoterpenoids.

Therapeutic uses

Internal use:

Treats problems with the digestive system, usually in children and is also useful for relieving muscle spasms.It furthermore has a positive effect on nervous conditions and provides a gentle boost when exhausted.

External use:

Lemon grass can be used externally to treat ringworm, lice, athletes foot, arthritis and scabies.It is used to normalize and balance overactive oil glands, dandruff and similar skin problems.

Aromatherapy and essential oil use:

The oil will re-energize a person and helps the body recover after illness by invigorating the glandular system andboosting the digestive system.

It eases muscle pain and cramps and helps to remove lactic acid and increase circulation.

For jet lag this oil is a must.

On the skin, it helps to balance oily conditions and to clear inflammation and fights fungal infections.

It has antidepressant, antiseptic, bactericide, carminative, deodorant, digestive, diuretic, fungicide, galactagogue, insecticide, prophylactic, stimulant and tonic properties.

Suggested Amount:

Lemongrass can be taken as a tea with the recommended dosage of a warm cup of tea taken one to four times a day between or after meals, or as required.

The infusion of coarsely cut or powdered grass is made using 2g of herb material to one cup of boiling water.

The boiling water is poured over the herb material and extracted for 5-10 minutes and then strained.

For hyperglycemia, dry extracts are recommended with the dosage of 80mg daily, taken in combination with other botanical extracts to support proper blood glucose levels.

Lemon Grass Tea