Lemongrass is a plant often used as a kitchen spice. Its stalks are distinctive and are also commonly used as a natural mosquito repellent. This plant is usually grown by people as a medicinal plant in their home gardens.
Physically, lemongrass resembles grass but is larger. Its leaves have a rough texture and sharp edges. When the leaves are torn, a distinctive aroma immediately spreads. The part of the lemongrass commonly used as a cooking spice is the stalk. The stalks are white and have a structure that is not too hard.
Benefits and Efficacy of Lemongrass Stalks
Not only useful as a kitchen spice, lemongrass stalks have various health benefits and efficacy. Therefore, many people consume this plant's stalks in the form of lemongrass tea or process it first into essential oil. Some benefits and efficacy of lemongrass stalks that you might not know are as follows:
1. Anti-Cancer
The first benefit of lemongrass stalks is as an anti-cancer agent. The stalk contains citral compounds that can kill damaged cells or cells that develop abnormally. Interestingly, citral compounds allow healthy cells to remain unaffected.
2. Managing Diabetes
Drinking tea made from lemongrass stalks regularly can normalize the function of the pancreas in producing insulin. Therefore, consuming tea from this stalk can lower blood sugar levels.
3. Treating Anemia
Anemia is a condition characterized by weakness, lethargy, and pale appearance. It is usually caused by a lack of iron in the blood, which is responsible for the synthesis of hemoglobin. Lemongrass stalks are considered a natural remedy for anemia because they contain a lot of iron. Therefore, consuming lemongrass tea regularly is more effective in treating anemia compared to chemical medications.
4. Fighting Bacteria and Fungi
Lemongrass stalks have antiseptic properties, making them capable of killing fungi and bacteria. Almost all types of fungi can be treated, especially those causing skin diseases. To use, crush the stalks and apply them as a topical remedy.
5. Relieving Flatulence and Indigestion
Tea made from a mixture of lemongrass stalks and brown sugar has a warming effect on the body. Therefore, drinking lemongrass tea can treat flatulence, indigestion, and accompanying symptoms. Besides being consumed as tea, lemongrass leaves can also be extracted into essential oil, which also warms the body.
6. Detoxifying the Body
The stalks of this plant can also help remove toxins from the body. The content in lemongrass stalks can neutralize toxins, while the antioxidants and antiseptic properties will help cleanse the liver and kidneys. The effect of using lemongrass stalks as a detoxification medium is frequent urination because lemongrass has diuretic properties. The urine that is excreted contains the flushed toxins from the body.
7. Lowering Bad Cholesterol
Lemongrass stalks are believed to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) without reducing good cholesterol (HDL). Additionally, the anti-cholesterol properties in lemongrass stalks prevent the absorption of cholesterol in the large intestine, thus maintaining healthy cholesterol levels in the blood. The anti-atherosclerosis properties in lemongrass stalks also inhibit the formation of blood plaques by fats, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
8. Strengthening the Nervous System
Lemongrass stalks contain magnesium, phosphorus, and folate, which are essential for maintaining nerve health. With healthy nerves, the body can perform activities more efficiently, retain information better, and process information more effectively.
9. Treating Skin Diseases
The antifungal and antiseptic properties of lemongrass stalks can effectively treat skin diseases. To use, take a lemongrass stalk and rub it on the affected skin area. It may sting a little, but this method will thoroughly clean the skin disease without leaving scars.
10. Lowering Blood Pressure
When processed into tea, lemongrass stalks produce a large amount of potassium. This potassium triggers the body to undergo diuresis, a process that lowers blood pressure by excreting sodium through urine.
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