Lemon Grass – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Friday, June 23, 2017 by Russel Davis

Lemon grass is among the most widely used herb in Asian cooking due to its refreshing citrus scent. The herb is believed to have originated in Nepal, and is native to Sri Lanka and Southern India. Lemon grass is a commonly used ingredient in the South and East Asian regions including Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia as well as Cambodia and Indonesia. Lemon grass is also widely popular in African and American countries due to its culinary and medical benefits. According to DietHealthClub.com, the essential oil extracted from lemon grass is more commonly known as Bella Mira essential oil.

List of known nutrients

While lemon grass is well known for its culinary use, the herb is just as valued for its nutritional content. A list created by Nutrition-And-You.com enumerates the many essential vitamins and minerals found in lemon grass.

Calcium
Carbohydrates
Copper
Folates
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Niacin
Potassium
Protein
Pyridoxine
Riboflavin
Selenium
Sodium 6
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Zinc

Medicinal uses for lemon grass

Lemon grass is widely known for its potential in cancer prevention. Previous studies have shown that citral, a component found in lemon grass, induces cancer cell death without damaging otherwise healthy cells. The same compound is touted to stymie the growth of breast cancer cells. Likewise, the compound is found to help regulate insulin levels and boost the body’s glucose tolerance. this makes the herb instrumental in keeping type-2 diabetes at bay. Additionally, the high antioxidant content in lemon grass is found to counter the harmful effects of free radicals.

The herb is also a popular remedy against digestive issues. Lemon grass is found to contain antiseptic compounds that rid the digestive tract of bacteria and parasites, and simultaneously regulate good bacteria proliferation in the gut. Lemon grass is known to promote healthy digestion as well. The herb is touted to address digestive disorders such as indigestion, constipation, heartburn, and diarrhea as well as bloating, flatulence, stomach spasms, vomiting, and cramps. The antimicrobial properties of lemon grass eliminate pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori and Escherichia coli, and treat ulcerative colitis and gastroenteritis.

Lemon grass is a popular detoxifying agent too. The herb’s diuretic properties promotes urination, which in turn effectively removes toxins, uric acid, and bad cholesterol from the body. This diuretic effect is especially beneficial to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, bladder, and pancreas. Likewise, the herb is known to bolster the body’s immune system. As a result, this fortifies the body’s defenses against respiratory disorders, fever, and infectious diseases.

In addition, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of lemongrass help alleviate pain associated with a host of disorders such as arthritis and migraine. The phytonutrient content in lemon grass is also touted to ease spasms, muscle cramps, sprains, and back aches. Aside from these, the herb is known to accelerate wound healing and injury recovery. Furthermore, the herb is known to boost the nervous system’s health and prevent the onset of neuronal conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

Body systems supported by lemon grass

Lemon grass is notably beneficial to the digestive, circulatory, and the urinary systems. Likewise, the herb benefits the nervous and immune systems.

Ways to use lemon grass

Lemon grass is primarily used as a flavoring and aromatic agent in a variety of meat dishes. Aside from this, lemon grass can also be used in soups, stocks and broths. BonAppetit.com has listed some of the most sumptuous meals that involve lemon grass.