Lemongrass for Cancer Prevention, Treating Digestive Problems and Other Health Issues

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Lemongrass for Cancer Prevention, Treating Digestive Problems and Other Health Issues

Lemongrass, also known as fever grass, is a perennial plant that has thin, long leaves, which is indigenous to many Asian countries. Lemongrass smells like lemon, but it has a tastes that’s sweeter and milder. This herb is used in many Asian cuisines as a flavoring agent because of its potent flavor.

Lemongrass is a good source of folate, vitamins A and C, folic acid, zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, potassium, manganese and calcium. Also, it also has minute traces of B vitamins. Along with its culinary uses, lemongrass is a very useful complementary or alternative remedies for a wide range of ailments.

Lemongrass for Cancer Prevention, Treating Digestive Problems and Other Health Issues
health benefits of lemongrass / photo credit: livestrong

Health Benefits of Lemongrass:

1. Boosts Your Immune System

By allowing nutrients to be absorbed into your body, lemongrass oil can help boosts your immune system. The oil can be essential in restoring your system and can help with the proper operation of your organs.

2. Cancer Prevention

Lemongrass is very effective in treating various types of cancers, without affecting the healthy normal cells in your body. Research conducted to prove the anti-cancerous activity of lemongrass has reported promising outcomes in the prevention of skin cancer.

Studies have reported that a certain component, known as citral, which is present in lemongrass, helps in the inhibition of the growth of hepatic cancer cells during its initial phase and prevents any further production of cancerous cells.

Another study provides supporting evidence in regards to the anti-proliferative effect of citral in impeding the growth of breast cancer cells and the induction of apoptosis.

3. Fights Depression

The antidepressant properties present in lemongrass helps in the treatment of depression. The herb also activates the releasing of serotonin, which is a chemical in the brain that helps in fighting depression.

Lemongrass boosts your self esteem, relieves anxiety, gives confidence, uplifts spirits and improves mental strength. Also, it contains citronella, which is well-known for its calming effect on your body and mind. It also helps to in promoting better sleep.

4. Manages Cholesterol Levels

The anti-atherosclerosis and anti-cholesterol action of lemongrass helps in reducing the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. Also, it helps in the oxidation of LDL-cholesterol in the blood, which in turn can help in the prevention of atherosclerotic plaque build-up.

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A study by the University of Wisconsin in 1989 reported that individuals with high cholesterol who took 140-milligram capsules of lemongrass oil per day, noticed reduction in their cholesterol levels. Also, they experienced a significant decrease in blood fats.

Also, the high potassium content present in lemongrass helps in lowering and regulating blood pressure.

You can drink 1 cup of lemongrass tea daily to help reduce blood pressure and lower your cholesterol level. But, you can also take this herb in supplement form after consulting your doctor.

5. Skin Health

Another major lemongrass essential oil benefit is its skin healing properties. You can ad lemongrass oil to conditioners, shampoos, soaps, deodorants and lotions.

Lemongrass oil is an effective cleanser for all skin types; its astringent and antiseptic properties make lemongrass oil perfect for having glowing skin.

Also, it can serve as a natural toner, sterilize your pores, and strengthen your skin tissues. By rubbing this oil into your scalp, hair and body, you can reduce headaches or muscle pain.

6. Treatment for Digestive Disorders

Lemongrass oil can help in relieving pain that is due from gas irritation in the bowels and stomach and it can help in removing toxins from your body easily because it increases urination. Lemongrass is helpful in preventing gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastric ulcers, this is because it helps in stimulating the bowel function and in improving digestion.

7. Treatment for Fever

Lemongrass is known as a febrifuge and is as the “fever grass”, owing to its beneficial effects in reducing fever. The diaphoretic and anti-pyretic effect of lemongrass is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of fevers, by inducing sweating.

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