Health Benefits of Lemongrass : An Overview
Lemongrass in Cooking
Lemongrass is used extensively in oriental cooking especially in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, among others. It is a popular herb added to dishes from soups to meat curry to add flavour and aroma to the dishes.
To use lemongrass for cooking, you would want to bruise the stalk before adding it to your dish. To do this, first cut the tip off the lemongrass stalk at the root end. Then cut about two inches from the tip and discard the rest (the leafy part). The next thing you would want to do is peel the dry outer layer until you come to a layer which looks moist. You would then want to crush the piece with a mortar and pestle. Otherwise you could also crush it with the back of a knife handle on a chopping board.
You can also use lemongrass as a marinating ingredient especially when grilling or broiling meat. Mix about three bruised lemongrass stalks with your other marinating ingredients like chopped onion, minced garlic and dried hot pepper flakes and marinate your meat overnight or for at least four hours before cooking.
Cooking aside, let’s now look at the health benefits of lemongrass.
Antiseptic
Lemongrass is well known for its antifungal and antiseptic properties. It works well for skin conditions such as ringworm and infected sores. A recent study showed that lemongrass is more effective than penicillin for staph infection.
If you’re concerned about foot hygiene or have a toe infection, you could prepare a foot bath with a few bruised lemongrass stalks thrown into hot water. Stir the water well and keep your feet in it for at least twenty minutes.
Alternatively, you could use lemongrass as a wash or compress for skin infections. Caution must be exercised though as your skin may be sensitive to lemongrass. If you develop skin irritation, discontinue use immediately.
Mosquito Repellent
Lemongrass is an excellent mosquito repellent. As such it’s an essential ingredient used in candles and incense meant to repel bugs and mosquitoes.
If you’ve a mosquito problem at home and don’t want to use a chemical-based mosquito spray, you can rub lemongrass oil lightly over the exposed parts of your body, minus the face. This would especially be useful if you’re going outdoors where mosquitoes are abundant
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass could also be made into tea which is helpful for cases of indigestion, menstrual cramps, stress, anxiety and insomnia. Pick two to three bruised lemongrass stalks and drop them into a pot of water which is about to boil. Add your favourite tea and organic sugar . Be careful not to add the leaves of lemongrass as they would give your tea a bitter taste.
Refreshing Bath
A few bruised lemongrass stalks thrown into a hot bath is helpful in reducing headaches, irritability and even drowsiness. It’s also helpful in relieving joint pains and nerve problems. Stir the water well for maximum effect. If you don’t wish the stalks to interfere with a refreshing bath, tie them into a sachet and drop it in the bath.
References
https://www.thefoodpaper.com/features/health/lemongrass.html - how to use lemongrass in cooking
https://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/aromatherapy-lemongrass.htm - lemongrass for aromatherapy
https://www.alive.com/6855a17a2.php?current_topic=35 - antiseptic properties of lemongrass