Lemon grass isn’t grass of lemon tree, if you are thinking so. Lemongrass is an aromatic tall grass of Cymbopogon species and is cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions. It gets its name from the citrus or lemon-like flavor and aroma. It is called “tanglad” in the Philippines.
Lemongrass is a storehouse of essential nutrients, which have positive health benefits.
It contains essential vitamins including Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin C, Folate. It also supplies body minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and iron which are required for healthy well being.
Lemongrass also contains various phytochemicals like antioxidants, flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, sulfides, polyphenolics, carotenoids, etc., which are important for body. Lemongrass contains compound called lemonal or citral which provides it distinct lemony flavor and has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Citral content in dry lemongrass is more than in fresh lemongrass.
10 Health Benefits of Lemongrass
Health benefits of lemongrass include its ability as antimicrobial agent, stimulant and strong antioxidant. Some of the other health benefits of lemongrass are listed below:
1. It has antioxidant properties.
Lemongrass has high antioxidant levels. Research is still ongoing on various components including citral offering this property.
2. It has anti-microbial properties.
Scientific studies confirm antimicrobial, especially antibacterial and antifungal, activity of lemongrass oil and its components. It is considered effective on fever and in some parts of world known as fever grass. Herbal tea from lemon grass is used as medicine on fever, cold and cough. It has medicinal properties and used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine.
Antibacterial properties of lemongrass damages cell formation of Escherichia coli bacteria and thus deter their growth. It is also effective on other pathogens like Helicobacter pylori and thus beneficial in prevention of gastrointestinal disorders like ulcers, constipation, ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, stomach ache etc. It helps in proper digestion and prevents any such problems.
Study has also showed that lemongrass essential oil has anti-amoebic effect and prevention of growth of single-celled microbes Entamoeba histolytica which are responsible for diarrhea and gastro intestinal troubles.
