12 health and beauty benefits of lemongrass

Lemongrass or lemongrass in general have great effects on human health. In addition to being used in cooking, lemongrass is also used as medicine to treat diseases and beautify.

Things to know about lemongrass

Characteristics and uses of lemongrass

Health benefits of lemongrass

1. Lemongrass water is an effective cancer treatment.

2. Regulate blood pressure for the body

3. Helps the digestive system to be healthier

4. Inhibits bacterial growth

5. Effective detoxification ability

6. Eliminate unpleasant fishy odors

7. Reduce cough and fever in humans

8. Good for the nervous system

9. Supports weight loss in women

10. Anti-inflammatory

11. Promotes hair growth

12. Uses of lemongrass in beauty

Side effects of using lemongrass incorrectly

Note on users of lemongrass and essential oils

Characteristics and uses of lemongrass

Lemongrass or lemongrass root is one of the familiar spices of Vietnamese people in meals. It can be ground into powder or chopped to eat with some foods. Lemongrass has other names such as lemongrass, fragrant mao, lemongrass grass, ... is a perennial plant. The stem is from 1 to 1.5 meters high, green in color, the leaves roll together in layers, and have an extremely pleasant aroma.

Lemongrass or lemongrass is native to India and is widely grown in Asian countries, including Vietnam. This plant appears in many northern provinces of our country. In Oriental medicine, lemongrass is often used to treat some digestive diseases, colds, fever, skin diseases, etc.

Some common images of lemongrass are as follows:

Image of lemongrass plant .

Health benefits of lemongrass

1. Lemongrass water is an effective cancer treatment.

Lemongrass contains up to 24 micrograms of beta-carotene per 100g. This is a very strong antioxidant that can destroy free radicals that are harmful to the body. Thanks to that, the risk of cancer is significantly reduced, preventing the disease from developing.

2. Regulate blood pressure for the body

Lemongrass contains enough magnesium and potassium that the body needs. Potassium will help stabilize blood pressure and reduce it when it is high. Stabilizing blood pressure will significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is the effect of lemongrass that many patients with high blood pressure trust.

3. Helps the digestive system to be healthier

Lemongrass contains many active ingredients that have good antibacterial and antioxidant effects, which will help the digestive system stay healthy and avoid dangerous diseases. People also often use lemongrass as an effective treatment for bloating, flatulence, and indigestion.

Lemongrass helps the digestive system to be healthier.

4. Inhibits bacterial growth

If lemongrass is used to create essential oils, the essential oils will contain methyl iso-eugenol and a few other compounds. These are substances that can completely inhibit the growth of bacteria, preventing them from growing and causing harm to the body. This is extremely beneficial in the treatment of wound infections or skin diseases.

5. Effective detoxification ability

Another commonly used effect of lemongrass is detoxification of the body. Lemongrass in general and lemongrass essential oil contain diaphoretic which will help increase sweating for the body, promoting the process of eliminating toxins. The body will eliminate excess salt, excess water, harmful fats from the body, thereby making the body lighter.

6. Eliminate unpleasant fishy odors

Lemongrass when synthesized into essential oil will contain many substances with good aroma and antibacterial properties. These substances will help eliminate unpleasant fishy odors on food, clothes or your body. You can mix lemongrass essential oil with bath water to eliminate odors from the body. However, if using a large amount of essential oil can cause skin irritation.

7. Reduce cough and fever in humans

Lemongrass is inherently hot and spicy, when combined with garlic and honey, it can increase the effectiveness of treating coughs and fevers in humans. In addition, lemongrass contains strong antibacterial active ingredients that will help the disease heal faster and prevent the risk of recurrence.

8. Good for the nervous system

Lemongrass essential oil made from lemongrass will significantly enhance the functions of the nervous system. It helps blood circulate better, reducing the possibility of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, memory disorders, cerebral circulatory insufficiency, etc.

9. Supports weight loss in women

People often use lemongrass like chili, to burn excess fat. In addition, if used properly, lemongrass can reduce calories for the body, facilitating the weight loss process for women. Lemongrass also helps promote better blood circulation and improve metabolism in the body.

Lemongrass supports weight loss in women.

10. Anti-inflammatory

A study published on CNN in 2010 found that lemongrass extract is an extremely effective treatment for inflammatory diseases. Researchers claim that the powerful antioxidants in lemongrass help reduce stress.

A similar study by American scientists shows that lemongrass is a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease because it has the ability to inhibit the production of leukocyte - a type of white blood cell, from the inflamed intestines.

11. Promotes hair growth

Using lemongrass is an effective hair growth treatment and increases hair growth. It is a rich source of vitamins A and C, which act as essential nutrients for both skin and hair. Drinking lemongrass tea regularly can help strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair loss. According to Health & Lifestyle, lemongrass significantly reduces dandruff within a week.

In addition, you can use a handful of lemongrass stalks to boil with 1.5 liters of water. After the water boils, wait for the water to cool or add more water, use to wash your hair. Do this regularly 2-3 times/week to help your hair become smooth, strong and limit hair loss.

12. Uses of lemongrass in beauty

Lemongrass is rich in vitamin C, which has high antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that will make the skin smooth and prevent the risk of acne. In addition, vitamin C also helps the body stimulate collagen production, making hair smoother. Lemongrass essential oil also contains two active ingredients, citral and geraniol, which have the effect of destroying harmful bacteria and cancer cells, thereby allowing hair follicle cells to develop and help hair grow more.

Side effects of using lemongrass incorrectly

Of course, if you use it incorrectly and overdose, some side effects can occur to the body such as:

Lemongrass is hot and warm, using too much can cause diarrhea in people.

Using pure essential oil from lemongrass directly can cause poisoning and irritation to the whole body. So it must be diluted before use.

Lemongrass essential oil can cause anaphylactic shock if you are allergic to some components of lemongrass.

Note on users of lemongrass and essential oils

Pregnant women should be cautious when using lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass can stimulate the uterus, affect the menstrual cycle and easily cause miscarriage.

Children should absolutely not play with lemongrass essential oil because it will cause skin irritation and itching.

People with weak constitutions should not use lemongrass regularly. Because lemongrass is hot, it can cause the blood to dissipate for these people.

People with allergies to lemongrass should absolutely stay away and not use lemongrass essential oil.