Lemongrass, Herbal Medicine — Uses and Benefits

You ask of nature, and nature will provide, even it’s to treat anything from fever and common cold to digestive tract spasms. The natural solution to some of the most common ailments is as simple as lemongrass. This plant, Andropogon citratus or lemongrass as its commonly called, can go by many different names. Ceylon citronella grass, Citronnelle de java, and cochin lemongrass are a few. Not only there many names, there are plenty of good uses, too! It can be grown in a garden environment and is easily divisible to grow other plants from a starter plant. It can be kept frozen till the time calls for its use. So it’s versatile; what are its uses already? Here are some common ones to get you going:

Many digestive issues can be treated using lemongrass. Vomiting, stomachache, and digestive tract spasms can be naturally treated using lemongrass. With its ability to possible stop the growth of bacteria and its antioxidant properties, lemongrass can help reverse the causes of such ailments.

Vomiting, stomachache, and digestive tract spasms can be naturally treated using lemongrass.

Common colds, fever, flu, gingivitis, pneumonia, leprosy, and tuberculosis may be treated using the naturally occurring plant. It is widely accepted to help ease the symptoms of such issues. It also has a very effective anti-fungal property that can be very useful.

Got a dirty mouth? Clean it up with what?! Lemongrass?? Chewing on the stalks of the plant can provide a tasty solution to not having an after dinner tooth brushing.

Sore muscles or just plain muscle pain? Inhaling the essential oil of lemongrass provides an aromatherapy by the chemicals found in lemongrass that are widely believed to stop pain. Even used with menstrual cramps, it may help fix some of the most common, and irritating, of pains. If inhalation is not your thing, you can treat the location of pain by rubbing essential oil of lemongrass directly on the location.

Sometimes it not so much about muscle pain as it is about joint pain. Luckily, the homeopathic uses of lemongrass may even stop joint pain and rheumatism. The naturally occurring chemicals in lemongrass are an easy solution for those who just hate popping a pill for everything. It may even be used in the treatment of high cholesterol. It is also a mild sedative, and that can also make for a more relaxed evening!

Is it only a medical treatment? No! It is commonly used as the lemon flavoring in herbal teas and other foods and beverages. A naturally occurring lemon flavor gives health conscious food and beverage makers a solution to avoiding artificial flavors.

Lemongrass Tea

Tastes great, but smells great too? Lemongrass is often the ingredient used in soaps and cosmetics to get the natural smell of a lemon without using potentially dangerous chemicals to do so. Its use in making vitamin A and natural citral can give benefits to your skin as well as give you a great smelling option to clean up with. Some of the more advanced skin uses can be the treatment of ringworm with a 2.5% essential oil cream preparation. This is due to the anti-fungal properties mentioned earlier.

The uses of lemongrass are almost as great as the plant itself. So what if you don’t have an ailment? What can it be used for besides treatment? Cooking! The plant has been used in stir fries and other great tasting dishes that call for that one certain flavor. Asian dishes make good use of lemongrass. It can be used as a marinade for meat or in stews. Numerous recipes can be found with a search on Google. Can’t find something you like? Try slicing it into strips and press firmly on the pieces to unlock its goodness! Then simply experiment by adding it to some of your favorite dishes.

The uses of lemongrass as a treatment for an illness give one the option of a homeopathic remedy to common problems. The use of lemongrass in the making of skincare products may also make it a possible cash crop. The cooking uses are vast as your imagination. That is what makes this plant a power plant. One caution, while its uses in moderation are fine, it is possible to overdo it. Do be careful to avoid its use on children, pregnant women, and people with liver or kidney issues.

Can’t find it at your local store? Ask around. As mentioned it is commonly grown in gardens so someone you may know might already have a plant you can get a starter from.

Source: http://myhealthlist.net/2013/03/lemongrass-herbal-medicine-uses-and-benefits/