Lemongrass is a good medicinal plant that one should grow at home. With lemon scented leaves the plant has many properties that is useful in cosmetic, aromatherapy and cooking. It contains impressive number of phenolic compounds, flavonoids and several antioxidants. Fresh or dried leaves or the essential oil of lemongrass – all known to contain healing properties. Plant is used in solving digestive problems, arthritis and fatigue.

Another name for lemongrass is citronella and citronella have many applications in Western countries. It is used in Asian cuisine (especially in Thai) as flavoring agent.

Health benefits of lemongrass

1. Detoxification agent: Lemongrass tea is recommended for diuretic purposes and helps in detoxification of kidney, liver, pancreas. It increases urination and eliminates toxins. Elimination of toxins reduces chronic inflammation and better blood circulation.
2. Digestion promotion: Because of its cleansing properties, lemongrass is used in the treatment of stomach related problems – cramps, constipation, bloating, heartburn and nausea. Lemongrass behavior is like antiseptic medicine and it removes unwanted germs from body and keeps beneficial bacteria in digestive track.
3. Arthritis and joint pain: It contain anti-inflammatory properties and applying lemongrass essential oil for joints and aches helps to reduce the pain. Essential oil is useful in relieving joint pain and body aches. Many herbal balms contain lemongrass oil as one of the main ingredients.
4. In cosmetics: Because of its antiseptic properties, lemongrass is used in cosmetic products to reduce acne. In addition, the antioxidant property of lemongrass makes it a good skin remedy and helps in rejuvenating skin and in improving skin elasticity and overall health.
5. Reduces water retention: Drinking lemongrass tea helps to reduce bloating, nausea and abdominal cramps. It decreases edema and takes out excessive fluid collection.
6. Aromatherapy: Lemongrass contains a terpene called linalool that helps to calm the system. It is a good remedy for mood swings, anxiety and depression. It is a good stress buster!  It is also a natural deodorant and cleanses breathing system.
7. As food ingredient: Adding lemongrass in cooking helps to relieve digestive disorders, lowers cholesterol, reduces cold and flu and supports immune system.

Different ways to use lemongrass:

• It is easy to grow lemongrass in pot or directly in soil. Both fresh and dried lemongrass can be used for many purposes. One can store dried lemongrass for longtime and use it for different purposes. With fresh lemongrass inner part of the stalk and leaves are useful.
• Lemongrass tea: Add fresh or dried few lemongrass pieces and crushed pepper in water, boil, strain and drink. Or steep leaves or dried stalks into hot water or tea, simmer it in syrups for mixing in various cocktails or lemonade.
• In curries, dressings and stews: Chopped lemongrass tender stalk adds good flavor to vegetable curries, soups, stews and stir fries.
• Lemongrass essential oil – used in aromatherapy, bath salts, bath soap. It is a good insect repellent. 
• For skin: Mix lemongrass essential oil with carrier oil like tea tree oil and apply on skin (proportion 1:2). You can add a drop of patchouli or clary sage oil to the mix.

Image credit: “LemonGrass-8378” by graibeard is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0