51 Lemongrass Facts: Benefits, Uses, Side Effects And Much More

Lemongrass is a popular herb that is known for its aroma.

It is a tropical plant native to southeast Asia, often grown in North America, South America, Australia, and Africa.

Lemongrass is a prominent member of the grass family Poaceae, and its scientific name is Cymbopogon citratus. In addition to its distinct aroma, lemongrass has a citrus flavor, contributing to its popular use in the culinary world.

The aromatic features of the herb also make it quite sought after. Lemongrass tea is a well-known herbal tea due to its calm-inducing qualities. Lemongrass is also used as alternative medicine in both homeopathic and Ayurvedic remedies. 

If you are interested in finding out more interesting facts about this traditional remedy, read on to explore more about how to use lemongrass.

Uses Of Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a very beneficial and powerful herb that can be used in multiple ways for varied purposes. Some interesting uses of lemongrass are listed as follows.

• Lemongrass is used to make herbal teas.
• Lemongrass tea has many health benefits associated with it. Studies suggest that lemongrass tea can provide a soothing sensation as well as calm jittery nerves.
• The field of Ayurvedic medicine also makes use of lemongrass.
• Lemongrass is utilized in the field of medicine because of its anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.
• Lemongrass oil or lemongrass extract may act as a natural insect repellent. Lemongrass is also known as citronella and you can buy citronella candles, soaps, insect repellents, and disinfectants. These products are not only natural and don't harm the environment, they also smell nice and are kinder to flora and fauna than commercial manmade products.
• In addition to being utilized in alternative medicine, lemongrass is also used in the culinary world, especially in Asian and Thai cuisine.
• While there are beverages such as lemongrass tea, this herb is also added to savory dishes, such as curries and soups, to enhance flavor.
• Lemongrass is also popularly used in baked goods, meat products, candies, and puddings.
• Due to its characteristic of being highly aromatic, lemongrass is utilized in the production of cosmetic products, waxes, and perfumes, too.
• Honey bees can be attracted by lemongrass oil or extract.
• The hydrophobic properties of lemongrass oil make it useful in the preservation of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. Lemongrass oil, when applied to leaf manuscripts, protects them from the damage that can be caused by microorganisms and further prevents any damage to the text.
• As lemongrass can naturally repel ticks and lice, it is used as an ingredient in shampoos and other grooming products for humans and animals.

Benefits Of Lemongrass

If you enjoyed the facts about lemongrass uses, why not also read about some of its benefits. Research has been conducted to evaluate the various health benefits of consuming and applying lemongrass in different ways. These lemongrass health benefits are mentioned as follows.

• Lemongrass is a good source of antioxidants and flavonoids.
• Several essential minerals and vitamins, such as folate, vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese are also present in lemongrass.
• In 2011, the research found that the essential oil present in lemongrass has anti-hypercholesterolemic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties that promote healthy cholesterol levels.
• Studies further suggest that lemongrass can aid in reducing bad cholesterol levels in the body, thereby decreasing the risk of developing heart disease.
• Due to the diuretic properties of lemongrass, animal research conducted in 2003 revealed that it can cleanse as well as flush toxic waste present in the body.
• Detoxification propagated by lemongrass can also aid in lowering uric-acid levels and regulating different organs of the body.
• Studies suggest that the diuretic effect of lemongrass can increase the frequency as well as the quantity of urination which in turn may improve digestive health.
• One of the health benefits of lemongrass, according to studies conducted, is that this potent herb may help to relieve stomach disorders.
• Some studies have shown that lemongrass essential oil, also known as citronella oil, may have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which can fight pathogens that can cause various infections in the digestive tract.
• Lemongrass may also be beneficial in relieving nausea, stomachache, constipation, gastric ulcer, diarrhea, and so on.
• Further research shows that consuming lemongrass tea may induce sleep due to its calming effects.
• And, because of its therapeutic properties, lemongrass essential oil is used in aromatherapy.
• Studies suggest that lemongrass essential oil has toning qualities and is a natural astringent that can stimulate blood circulation as well as tone skin.
• Adding lemongrass essential oil to baths has been found to be helpful in relieving stress and fatigue, reducing anxiety, and inducing calming effects.
• According to some research conducted on the subject, citral present in lemongrass can help treat obesity to some extent, as it accelerates the metabolism and rids the body of water retention and bloating.
• Lemongrass is also known as fever grass because of its characteristic of reducing fever.
• Studies also suggest lemongrass and its essential oil may be used to treat body aches and headaches.
• Lemongrass essential oil thus helps with aches to some extent while also having fewer side effects than some pain-killing medicines.
• Lemongrass oil may also be used to relieve certain degrees of cramps, muscle spasms, and rheumatism.
• Some research has found that lemongrass as a skin tonic can cleanse acne-prone or oily skin., because of the herb's antiseptic and astringent properties.

Side Effects Of Lemongrass

While lemongrass has many health benefits, as we have seen above, there can be certain side effects of using and consuming this herb. These side effects are listed below.

• Lemongrass products for skincare must be used carefully as, in some cases, undiluted application of such products may result in skin irritation.
• Direct use of lemongrass essential oil is also not recommended as it may trigger an allergic reaction, such as contact dermatitis.
• Studies have revealed that, for some people, lemongrass essential oil may have more side effects than the plant itself.
• According to some research conducted, side effects of oral ingestion of lemongrass may include drowsiness, dizziness, increased urination, and increased appetite.
• Seeking professional help is highly advised before using lemongrass oil, especially for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
• In addition to pregnant women, people with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, liver disease, or those undergoing chemotherapy must also consult their doctor before using lemongrass products.
• Lemongrass essential oil should not be consumed.
• If there are side effects after using lemongrass products topically, it is advised never to ingest the herb as it may trigger an allergic reaction.

How To Grow Lemongrass

Now we have found out the benefits and disadvantages of lemongrass, why not find out how to grow this herb, rather than buy it. Growing lemongrass can be easy and doesn't require too much gardening knowledge.

Just following the right steps for planting the herb and providing for it properly is enough. Steps for growing this herb and how to care for it are mentioned as follows.

• The first step for growing the herb is to buy some fresh lemongrass plants, trim a couple of inches from the top, and remove anything that appears dead or wilted.
• Then place the stalks in a glass of water. This glass must then be placed near a window that receives plenty of sunlight.
• Tiny roots can be seen sprouting from the bottom of the stalks after a few weeks.
• When the roots have had some more time to mature, the herb must then be transferred into a pot filled with soil.
• The soil used for growing lemongrass herb must be all-purpose soil.
• The crown of the growing plant must be placed just below the surface of the soil.
• The pot with the lemongrass plant must then be placed on a patio or window ledge where it can be warm and receive plentiful sunlight.
• Lemongrass plants can be grown outdoors as well as indoors.
• In addition to sunlight, the growing lemongrass plant must also be watered regularly and adequately for proper growth.
• If you are growing lemongrass plants from seeds, then it is advised to plant them during spring.
• Lemongrass seeds must be planted individually with some distance between them.
• They should also be planted in a warm spot that has full sun exposure.
• The soil used for planting this herb must be nitrogen-rich and well-drained.
• The seeds must be covered with only a light sprinkling of soil over the top as they require lots of light to begin the germination process.
• It might take about three weeks for the seedlings to emerge.
• During this period, the soil surrounding the growing seedling must be kept moist.
• The seedlings can also be transplanted to a different location for better development. When the herb is being grown indoors using seeds, then the plants must be grown in trays or containers.
• The pot used for growing the herb must be big enough to accommodate the spread of the lemongrass plant.
• Growing lemongrass in pots ensures that they don't take up too much space in the garden.
• When cutting the mature lemongrass stalk, cut it a little distance above the surface so that the remaining stalk can regrow.
• The stalks or the leaves of the plant must be misted to provide humidity in dry climates.
• Another precaution to be taken is to protect the plant from frost and cold weather as it can cause the herb to wither and die.
• Lemongrass plants can be protected by bringing the containers in which they are growing indoors.