Does Lemongrass Have Medicinal Properties?
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), also known as citronella, is a tall grass-like ingredient that is popularly known for culinary use in Southeast Asian dishes and cooking. The lower stalks as well as bulbs of the lemongrass plant, have a rather fresh, lemony scent. People may have come across lemongrass teas and broths that are quite popular in some countries. This can be not only a flavorful addition to teas but also to marinades and curries as well. As a flavoring agent, lemongrass and lemongrass essential oil are both in popular use currently, even for medicinal purposes. Though more research is needed to elaborate on the mechanisms of action, some scientific evidence exists for the purported benefits of lemongrass on systemic health.
What Are the Commercial Uses of Lemongrass?
Lemongrass, according to some nutritionists, could actually be useful in counteracting the clinical features of common ailments like anxiety, common colds, fever, inflammation, and insomnia by acting as a relaxant. When taken orally, lemongrass is used to relax and calm gastrointestinal discomfort and other clinical symptoms, including stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Medicinally, lemongrass can be taken orally, rubbed on the skin, or inhaled as part of aromatherapy treatments. When applied to the skin, lemongrass oil treats headaches and relieves musculoskeletal pain. In aromatherapy treatments, lemongrass oil extracts are usually inhaled to relieve muscle pains, cold infections, flu symptoms, and more. Lemongrass, on its own, is commonly consumed worldwide in many regions to potentially treat the following conditions:
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Anxiety.
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Certain cancers.
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Fever.
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High blood pressure or hypertension.
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Musculoskeletal pains.
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Rheumatism (various conditions causing pain and inflammation in the joints, muscles, or connective tissues).
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Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep).
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Cold or flu.
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Cough.
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Diabetes (a chronic health condition characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body's inability to properly use or produce insulin).
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Epilepsy (a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from abnormal electrical activity in the brain).
Although animal studies and limited lab studies support these medical uses of lemongrass, scientific human evidence is still lacking or currently underway to establish the efficacy of these wide-ranging medicinal beliefs about this grass. Lemongrass essential oil has also been widely researched for its aromatherapy benefits. It contains significant amounts of bioactive compounds, namely citral, isoneral, isogeranial, geraniol, geranyl acetate, citronellal, citronellol, germacrene-D, and others, known for their antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, and high potent antioxidant properties. Current research demonstrates that lemongrass essential oil could be used as a therapeutic agent for treating skin and hair inflammatory conditions, showing the ability to significantly reduce dandruff. It is also known to inhibit the growth of certain fungi associated with causing and aggravating dandruff.
What Is the Nutrition Content of Lemon Grass?
0.17 ounces or 4.8 grams of fresh lemongrass yields nearly about five kilocalories of energy, mainly derived from carbohydrates (0.04 ounces or 1.2 grams) and protein (0.03 ounces or 0.8 grams), according to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) data analysis. Lemongrass comprises the following nutrients: calcium (0.0001 ounces or 3 milligrams), potassium (0.0012 ounces or 34 milligrams), phosphorus (0.00018 ounces or 5 milligrams), manganese (0.00001 ounces or 0.3 milligrams), magnesium (0.0001 ounces or 2.9 milligrams), and iron (0.000014 ounces or 0.4 milligrams). Lemongrass also provides certain vitamins in limited amounts, including vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, niacin, and more.
What Are the Nutrient Density and Immune-Boosting Mechanisms of Lemongrass?
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Lemongrass is a good source of fiber, carbohydrates, and vitamins A, B, and C. Because of its nutrient density, it possibly strengthens the body's immune system, aids in tissue repair, and promotes healthy cell division, thereby giving the immune system a boost.
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The magnesium content in lemongrass is necessary for functions such as protein synthesis, glycolysis, and improved muscle activity.
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The selenium content in lemongrass is useful for aiding cognitive functions and fertility.
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The phosphorus content in lemongrass is beneficial for DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) and cell membrane synthesis.
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The zinc content in lemongrass is helpful for wound healing and growth, while the calcium in it is beneficial for bone metabolism
How to Consume and Purchase Lemongrass?
Remember that when someone chooses lemongrass, opt for firm green stalks with healthy-looking bulbs. Some stores may sell lemongrass with the tops removed. While this is fine for some culinary recipes, most recipes require using the bottom of the stalk or lemongrass bulb to avail good nutrition benefits. To use lemongrass in teas, soups, broth, or other liquids, crush the bottom area of the stalks to release the aromatic oil. Then, immerse the pieces in the liquid to release aromatic oils. Remove the stalks before eating or drinking beverages. Lemongrass-flavored oil also would provide significantly more calories because these oils are usually a combination of cooking oils, for instance, canola oil and lemongrass extracts. The stalks, as well as the bulbs, can be easily used when tossed into marinades, curries, and broths. In some lemongrass recipes, for instance, before one adds it to a curry, stir fry, or salad, one can try chopping off or mincing the bulb of the lemongrass stalks.
What Are the Contraindications for Using Lemongrass?
When used in high amounts, lemongrass essential oil may potentially damage the liver and gastric mucous membranes. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, excessive intake of lemongrass tea may affect kidney function in susceptible individuals. It is advisable to consume lemongrass in moderation. Pregnant women should ideally avoid lemongrass because certain ingredients found in it could potentially cause birth defects, as observed in pregnant rat models. Additionally, people undergoing cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, should also avoid lemongrass, as it may interfere with chemotherapeutic agents' actions, as pharmacologic studies suggested.
Conclusion:
To conclude, in typical amounts, lemongrass is certainly safe. Although consuming lemongrass will not significantly impact an individual’s daily vitamin needs, it is important to remember that it can provide an immune boost due to its naturally healing and relaxing properties. Lemongrass has been well-popularized and commonly used worldwide over the last decade, especially as a part of culinary flavors and even in aromatherapy, despite the limited scientific evidence to support its medicinal use.
