WHAT IS LEMONGRASS?
Lemongrass is a perennial plant, growing in a bush 0.8 m to 1 m high. The leaves and oil can be used to make medicine. It has a very specific, strong, unique scent thanks to the large amount of essential oils contained. Lemongrass contains 1-2% essential oil with light yellow color and lemon aroma. The main ingredients of essential oil are citral and geraniol.
Lemongrass is a familiar spice in Asia (Photo: Internet)
Lemongrass can be used fresh, dried or powdered. In food and beverages, lemongrass is used as a flavoring. In manufacturing, lemongrass is used as a fragrance in deodorants, soaps, and cosmetics. Besides, lemongrass essential oil is also used to make some natural insect repellents. Lemongrass is also used in aromatherapy to freshen the air, relieve stress, and uplift the spirit. Currently, India is the world's leading supplier of lemongrass with an annual output of more than 1000 tons of finished products.
9 BENEFITS OF LEMONGRASS
Lemongrass offers an impressive array of medicinal benefits (Photo: Internet)
1. Help to detoxify
Lemongrass has the ability to help the body eliminate uric acid and unwanted toxic substances. Therefor it helps to detoxify the liver, digestive system, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder. At the same time, lemongrass also has a purifying effect on the body by increasing the amount and frequency of urination.
2. Control blood pressure
Lemongrass is rich in potassium, which makes it perfect to control blood pressure levels. If you get trouble with high blood pressure, you can drink a glass of lemongrass juice to help lower blood pressure. Because lemongrass has essences that support blood circulation and is good for people with blood pressure problems.
3. Improve the digestive system
One of the uses of lemongrass is to help prevent flatulence. At the same time, lemongrass also stimulates digestion, eliminates bad breath, and eliminates phlegm. In addition, lemongrass tea and lemongrass essential oil can support weak digestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stimulate bowel movements.
4. Prevent cancer
The citral compounds in lemongrass have the ability to kill cancer cells while protecting other healthy cells. Besides, some other studies also show that lemongrass contains beta-carotene-1 which is an antioxidant that can help the body prevent cancer.
5. Be good for skin
Some nutrients in lemongrass will help your skin smooth and brighter. You can drink lemongrass with water or tea to improve skin health. You also can use lemongrass essential oil to massage your face.
6. Help to lose weight
Lemongrass helps the body increase in the energy expenditure process and gradually reduce the amount of fat accumulated in the body. Therefore, this is considered one of the effective weight loss.
7. Anti-Bacterial
Drinking lemongrass juice can help treat mouth infections and tooth decay thanks to its antibacterial properties. You can use lemongrass as a cleanser to against many types of skin infections or infected sores. You also cure tinea capitis with lemongrass by soaking your feet in a water bath for 20 minutes.
8. Reduce pain
Individual lemongrass essence relieves all types of inflammation and aches. So, if you have a toothache or muscle pain, you can drink lemongrass tea to help you feel better.
9. Create the pleasant scent
In foods and drinks, lemongrass is also a spice that helps create flavor. Many people often use lemongrass leaves for flavoring in herbal teas.
In the manufacturing industry, lemongrass is often used to scent soaps and makeup tools. People also use lemongrass to create natural vitamin A and citral.
FRESH LEMONGRASS GINGER TEA RECIPE
Photo: Internet
Ingredients
+ 1 cup water
+ 2 lemongrass stalk
+ 1 piece ginger
+ 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
+ 1 to 2 tablespoon honey
Instructions
+ Crush the lemongrass stalks
+ Boil the water
+ Add crushed lemongrass stalks & ginger to the water
+ Boil for 5 to 8 mins and turn off the heat.
+ Strain this tea and allow cooling for 2 mins.
+ Further squeeze lemon juice
+ Add honey for sweetness.
Lemongrass Ginger Tea is ready to enjoy.
Source: BHARADWAJ KITCHEN
LEMONGRASS AND LIME DRINK RECIPE
Photo: Internet
Ingredients
+ 2 lemons
+ 10 lemongrass plants
+ 1 piece of ginger
+ 300g rock sugar or sugar
+ 1 liter of water
+ 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
+ Wash Lemongrass and then cut into pieces about 7-10 cm.
+ Keep the peel of ginger, wash, cut into thin slices and smash.
+ Pour 2 liters of water and alum sugar, stir well into the pot, bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves into the water.
+ Put lemongrass in a pot and boil for 5 more minutes
+ Add ginger and salt to boiling water for another 1 minute, then turn off the heat.
+ Let the water cool for about 30 minutes, take out the lemongrass and ginger.
+ After the water has cooled down, add lemon juice.
+ It tastes better with ice cubes.
