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Lemon grass or the local tanglad (scientific name: Cymbopogon ciatrus) is one of
those wondrous herbs that one can always associate with Asian cooking Thai,
Malaysian and Vietnamese homegrown meal enthusiasts always have this tropical
grass at hand for its aromatic citrus flavor with a trace of ginger. Few people
know that its other popular name is citronella - the common scent you usually
find in candles, perfumes and soaps.
Citronella is known for its calming
effect that relieves insomnia or stress. It is also considered as a mild insect
repellant. But more than scent, tanglad or lemon grass provides a lot of health
benefits. Studies have shown that the lemon grass has antibacterial and
antifungal properties. Mixed with pepper, it's a home therapy for menstrual
troubles and nausea. Drank as tea, it is an effective diuretic. When it comes to
pets, citronella is used to neutralize excessive barking of dogs. Since dogs
hate citronella, it is sprayed to dogs to prevent them from barking or just to
lessen the behavior.
The Lemon grass is a good cleanser that helps to
detoxify the Liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract. It cuts
down uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body while
stimulating digestion, blood circulation, and lactation it also alleviates
indigestion and gastroenteritis. It is said that lemongrass also helps improve
the skin by reducing acne and pimples and acts as a muscle and tissue toner.
Also, it can reduce blood pressure. Just make a concoction by boiling some lemon
grass leaves, let it cool for a while and drink the liquid.
The leaves
and base of this tender perennial are used as a food flavoring, particularly in
fish and poultry dishes, and its essential oils are used medicinally. Its
distinctive flavor balances hot chillies and contributes to the elaborate,
multi-layered flavors of many dishes in South East Asian cuisine.
As the
long, thin, grey-green leaves are tough and fibrous, the outside leaves and the
tips are usually chopped very finely or discarded from the dish before it is
served. The base is often ground. Citral, an essential oil also found in lemon
peel, is the constituent responsible for its taste and aroma.
Lemon
grass, also known as Sweet Rush and sometimes called Fever Grass in the
Caribbean, can be used as a remedy for ague, fevers, and colds.
Filipino
ingenuity has produced a commercial beverage made from lemon grass. A
concentrate composed of lemon grass juice and muscovado sugar bottled in
attractive design.
A recent study by the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute of the department of Science and technology ( DOST ) claims that every
100g of edible tanglad when boiled can contain up to 24.205 micrograms of
beta-carotene the anti-oxidant that scientists believe can help prevent cancer.
Another DOST study shows that lemon grass oil has the potential as a tropical
eye medication against keratomycosis, an inflammation of cornea often associated
with burning or blurring of vision.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
