Benefits of Lemon Grass Tea

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Acting as a natural diuretic it is known to keep the kidneys and bladder working properly. Its powerful antioxidant benefits help to keep the liver and pancreas healthy and it is also known to help keep cholesterol levels normal.

Significance
• As natural holistic approaches to health and preventative medicine are becoming more popular and better known, people are realizing that there are many remedies which can help prevent or treat common ailments. These are not a replacement for prescription drugs of which there are sometimes no other alternative, but more often than not remedies such as the ones that use herbs like lemongrass can help and do not have the adverse affects of some conventional medications.

Geography
• Lemongrass is a fibrous plant which naturally grows in many countries. Some varieties are specifically native to places including India, Thailand and Sri Lanka and other varieties are native to Malaysia. These are divided into West and East Indian lemon grass.

Effects
• Lemongrass has been found to help in recovery of the common cold and flu, reducing fevers, cramps, flatulence and arthritic pain as well as aid digestion especially in children. It has been used in Chinese medicine for a very long time. Citral is the main element in lemongrass, which gives it its fresh lemon scent and repels insects. Researchers in Israel at Ben Gurion University have found that daily intake of 1,000mg of citral represses cancer cells and helps battle depression.

Considerations for Cooking
• The stalks of lemongrass can be chopped or pounded for use in Thai and Indian cooking. The flavor goes well in sauces, in stir fry, curries, soups and with fish. Current studies are being conducted to investigate the beneficial properties in tom yum soup for which lemongrass is a main ingredient. This soup is thought to have immune-boosting properties and even posses the ability to help fight cancer.

Herbal Insect Repellant
• Lemongrass is similar in properties to citronella grass and has some of the same repellant effects on insects. It can be crushed and rubbed directly onto the skin to help stave off annoying bugs. It is also an ingredient in the making of citronella candles, soaps and sprays.

Other Benefits:
Lemon grass, or tanglad, as it is called in the Philippines, is a tall perennial grass that is widely used in Asian cuisine. Its subtle citrus flavor makes it a favorite ingredient in a wide variety of food preparations like soups and curries. It goes well with poultry, fish, beef and seafood. Some countries also use it as tea. In addition to its flavor- and aroma-enhancing properties, lemon grass also promotes good health.

1. Helps prevent osteoporosis (Manganese-175%)
Did you know that the trace mineral manganese is necessary for bone health? Study participants among postmenopausal women have shown that those who take a combination of calcium, zinc, copper and manganese have lesser spinal bone loss compared to those who didn’t.

2. Prevents PMS
Clinical studies among women suggest that an increased supply of manganese in their diets have resulted in fewer mood swings and cramps. Just one half cup of lemon grass can already supply almost 100% of the daily value (DV) of manganese.

3. Helps fight arthritis
Manganese may also be beneficial in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. If taken along with glucosamine and chondroitin, some people have noticed lowered pain, although some find it to be ineffective.

4. Prevents anemia
Lemon grass is a very good source of iron, a mineral which helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia. If you notice frequent fatigue, weakness, and decreased ability to concentrate, add more lemon grass in your daily diet or increase your natural iron intake by eating more leafy greens and other iron-rich vegetables.

5. Helps prevent cough and colds
Another sign that you may need to up your iron supply is when you easily catch coughs and colds. Iron helps strengthen the immune system.

6. Helps regulate blood pressure levels (Potassium-14%)
Add your natural daily dose of potassium by making sure you have lemon grass readily available when cooking. Potassium has long been proven for its blood pressure-lowering-effects. Avocados, guavas, bananas and kiwifruits are some of the richest sources among fruits.

7. Prevents leg cramps
One cup of lemon grass is packed with half of the potassium in bananas. Potassium is also an electrolyte which relaxes muscles to prevent leg cramps.

8. Supports fertility (Folate-13%)
Lemon grass is beneficial for both men and women in their childbearing years though its supply of folate. This B vitamin (Vitamin B9) aids in spermatogenesis in men and implantation and placentation in women.

9. Prevents birth problems of the brain and spine
Folate also helps protect against serious congenital problems for the developing baby especially neural tube defects and spina bifida.

10. Lowers risk of cardiovascular disease
What makes lemon grass heart-friendly? Increased folate supply in the body has continually been suggested to lower risk of cardiovascular disease by preventing homocysteine build-up in the blood.

Cellular Health:

Lemongrass possesses antioxidant qualities and help in protecting the body cells from the oxygen-derived free radicals. It also helps in the cleansing of blood and strengthens the spleen to discard the tarnished red blood cells. It supports the function of the thymus glands which helps to produce white blood cells. Lemongrass helps in stimulating regeneration of cells. The folate and potassium content in the stem and leaves of lemongrass aids in DNA synthesis and promotes cell division.

Anti-Cancer:

Citral Can Kill Cancer Cell

Doctors as well as scientists have found that 1 gram of lemongrass consists of sufficient Citral to quick cancer cells to commit suicide! Citral is shown to result in apoptosis (self-destruct) in cancer cells. Cancer sufferers in Israel usually are motivated by their doctors to consume fresh lemongrass tea on the days they go in for chemotherapy or radiation treatments to assist the recovery process.

Immune System:

Lemongrass helps in restoring the vital systems which are operational in the body, including digestion, respiration, excretion and nervous system. This assists in better absorption of nutrients and strengthens the immune defense mechanism of the body. Lemongrass extracts have a beneficial effect on the inflammatory actions of cytokines, which are the signaling molecules through which the cells communicate and respond in the body. Studies have shown that lemongrass exerts anti-inflammatory action and its constituents such as citral may be the cause behind its inhibitory effects on cytokine production.

Cancer:

Lemongrass is effective in treating various types of cancers without affecting the healthy normal cells of the body. Research conducted to prove the anti-cancerous activity of lemongrass has shown promising outcomes in the prevention of skin cancer. Studies have shown that a certain component, citral, which is present in lemongrass, helps in inhibiting the growth of hepatic cancer cells during the initial phases and prevents any further production of cancerous cells. Another study has provided supporting evidence regarding the anti-proliferative effect of citral in impeding the growth of human breast cancer cells and the induction of apoptosis.

Lemon grass is also used extensively in herbal medicine.

* Nutrient data source: USDA

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Sources:

http://expertscolumn.com/content/10-health-benefits-lemon-grass

Medical Benefits of Lemongrass | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4707214_medical-benefits-lemongrass.html#ixzz1ykndY75B

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-lemongrass.html

http://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/health-benefits-of-lemongrass/