Lemongrass – Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects

Lemongrass is a herb that is majorly originating from Sri Lanka and South India. The stems of this plant are often used in cooking Asian delicacies. However, the use of lemongrass as a tea by brewing the leaves has increased over the past few years.

Lemongrass not only adds taste your food but also has several health benefits. Lemongrass tea is very soothing and tasty. If you are a tea lover then lemongrass tea is exactly what you need to try now.

There are around 55 types of lemongrass species but one can use only East Indian and West Indian types of lemon grasses in cooking.

Health Benefits of Lemongrass

• Improve the Digestion

Lemongrass is cool by nature and the consumption of lemongrass helps you to soothe your stomach and boost your digestive health. Lemongrass consists of a component named citral that helps to digest the food easily.

Lemongrass tea is most effective when consumed after dinner. Lemongrass is also considered to be used as a treatment to indigestion, constipation, and bloating.

• Provides the Body with Antioxidants

Lemongrass is very rich in antioxidants. Lemongrass proves to be most beneficial when you are going on a detox. It helps you to flush all the extra toxins present in your body.

Lemongrass plays an important role in relieving fluid retention. So if you are planning to go on a detox then lemongrass can help you do wonders.

• Regulate High Blood Pressure

Lemongrass consists of a natural formula that helps to tame high blood pressure. It is potassium-rich that helps increase the urine in the body and stimulates the blood circulation to lower the blood pressure.

Increase blood circulation helps to purify the liver. Lemongrass helps to limit the cholesterol absorption in the intestine and improves the heart condition.

• Helps to boost the metabolism and burn extra fat

Lemongrass is considered to be a very good option if you are looking for a diet plan. Lemongrass helps to boost the metabolism and makes the digestion quicker than usual. This helps to burn a few more calories.

You can make lemongrass tea as the natural compounds present in lemongrass and caffeine present in the tea enhance the oxidation process in the body that helps to reduce the weight.

• Heals cold and flu

Lemongrass consists of anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. These characteristics help to fight the cold. The content of Vitamin c is also present in lemongrass which helps to move to the immunity in the body.

You can add a few leaves of lemongrass with a pinch of clove to boiling water. Also at turmeric and tea powder. This tea will help you to get relaxed from the cold and will give relief from cough.

• Relieve menstrual cramps

Lemongrass is considered to have pain-relieving properties. Lemongrass is soothing and helps to get rid of hot flashes. Considering the effect of lemongrass, it is advisable to consume lemongrass tea during the periods to find some relief from menstrual cramps.

Uses of Lemongrass

• Lemongrass Tea

Lemongrass tea one of the most common methods by which you can use lemongrass. You can use either dried or fresh lemongrass and put it in boiling water. The lemongrass-infused verbally with water. Lemongrass is a very common ingredient in several herbal tea brands.

You will find it most commonly in the blends of green tea. Because of the healing properties present in lemongrass it is is very much popular in the detox diet. You can add ginger or honey in the tea as per your preference. You can have it cool in hot summers.

• Lemongrass Cocktail

Lemongrass I started to gain notable popularity in adult beverages. Several recipes help you to transform the delicacy of lemongrass into tasty cocktails. You can make Soho cocktail by using herbs like mint, ginger, lemongrass and mix it with gin and ginger ale.

You can also use a combination of ginger and lemongrass to make amazing tequila cocktail. You can make amazing cocktails by pairing lemongrass with coconut milk, chilli, peppers, etc.

Lemongrass is a very popular herb used in cooking. You can use lemongrass in a wide range of food recipes. The use of lemongrass is much common in Asian foods and delicacies. You will find lemongrass to be used mostly in Thai cuisines.

Lemongrass is fibrous and woody at the same time. Lemongrass is considered to be the best when it is very finely. Lemongrass complements chicken and seafood very nicely.

You can try several recipes such as lemongrass chicken, smooth lemongrass shrimp, and also pair lemongrass with for beef, pork, fish, etc.

Side Effects of Lemongrass

With so many uses and benefits, one can only imagine if lemongrass has side effects at all. When used excessively lemongrass came to be harmful on several levels.

Here are a few side effects of lemongrass that will help you to use lemongrass wisely.

• Lemongrass has many wonderful effects on your skin and hair but when used excessively lemongrass can also irritate your skin. Lemongrass oil is an essential oil that cannot be applied to your skin directly. Direct application of the soil on your skin can cause a rash in no time. Also, do not use diluted lemongrass essential oil if you are suffering from eczema or have damaged skin.

• Lemongrass tends to regulate high blood pressure and reduce it to a normal level. If you are suffering from low blood pressure issue then use of lemongrass not advisable as it will inhibit the level of blood pressure which can cause dangerous situations for you.

• Lemongrass oil must be kept away from very sensitive organs in your body. You can use lemongrass oil by adding it into the water during your bath. Contact of lemongrass oil with your eyes can give you a very strange sensation and can hamper your eyesight.

If you plan to get lemongrass for yourself then you should go through the whole content understand how much is too much lemongrass for you.