Lemongrass health benefits
Lemongrass is a perennial plant with a thin, long leaves, originating from India but has spread in other areas of Asia, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is also common in Ceylon, Central America, China, Guatemala, India, Java, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the West Indian Islands and Zambia. There are more than fifty varieties of lemongrass, but not all are suitable for human consumption or medical use. Lemongrass is a plant that normally reaches a height of one meter and is mainly found in the wild. Lemongrass has long been in use as a flavor in Asian cuisine. When added to recipes, citrus flavor of lemongrass powder or dried leaf of lemongrass adds a unique element of each meal. Although lemongrass is more known for its use as a tea can be added to the curry, beef, fish, chicken, seafood and soups. This is why planting lemon grass at home can be such a good idea, it’s so versatile.
Lemon grass can be of huge importance for human health due to its outstanding antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer properties. The name of this plant does not have any connection with lemon, except that it has a strong aroma and similar taste like lemon.
Lemon grass is a good source of vitamins A and C, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and manganese; with traces of B vitamins. What makes it so effective in the treatment of many medical problems are certain antiseptic compounds that destroy harmful microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and parasites in the digestive system, while preserving the beneficial bacteria.
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Health benefits of lemongrass
Anemia: Thanks to the high content of iron, a mineral responsible for the synthesis of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells responsible for the transport of oxygen through the body. And a deficiency of iron can cause anemia.
Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect: Due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, lemon grass can be used as a valuable aid in the treatment of arthritis, gout and urinary tract infections.
Detoxification: Antioxidant, antiseptic and diuretic effect of the lemongrass makes it an important food ingredient for body detoxification. With the increased circulation of blood, the liver kidneys, bladder, and the pancreas can be cleaned effectively. The diuretic effect helps the toxins from the body to be eliminated faster.
Health digestive system: Lemongrass helps regulate bowel digestion due to its antimicrobial properties. It helps destroy bad bacteria and parasites and increases the number of good bacteria in the colon, which can cause digestive ailments: indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal bloating, vomiting, and cramps.
Cholesterol: Lemongrass helps to fight bad cholesterol and atherosclerosis. It decreases the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, and the oxidation of LDL – cholesterol in the blood, thus preventing one of the first steps of forming atherosclerosis plaques.
Nervous system: Magnesium, phosphorus, and folate are important nutrients necessary for healthy functioning of the nervous system. They improve concentration, memory and the brain’s ability to process information.
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