Health and Medicinal Benefits of Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass oil is one of those ingredients in your kitchen that can offer you immense health benefits. They have been used by the people in India for a long time. Lemongrass is a simple herb and its botanical name is Cymbopogon citrates.
Benefits of Lemongrass Oil:
100% Natural deodorizer:
Lemongrass oil is a good deodorizer. Since it is natural, it does not cause your skin any harm as do the other deodorizers that you get in the market. All you have to do is to add a few drops of this oil to water and use it as a mist or a vaporizer.
A natural sedative:
Lemongrass oil has the ability to calm and sooth your mind. It also has sedative properties according to studies made on Algeria.
Cure for fever:
The antipyretic properties of lemongrass oil help in reducing high fever before it gets aggravated and cause problems.
Detoxifies your body:
Detoxification means removal of toxins and other harmful components from your body. Lemongrass oil has great detoxifying properties. It can detoxify your liver, kidneys, digestive tract, bladder and pancreas.
Good for nervous system:
Lemongrass oil acts as a good tonic to the nervous system. It helps in the treatment of various disorders of the nervous system like Parkinson’s disease, convulsions, Alzheimer’s disease, lack of reflexes and so on.
Good for digestion and gas problems:
If your digestion is proper, everything else will be normal. Lemongrass oil is very effective for treating various issues related with digestion, like stomach gas, irritation in the stomach and the bowels, and so on. This oil is great for treating gastric ulcers and for promoting digestion. By taking lemongrass oil with tea, you stomach will stay calm and soothed. It is also good for treating stomach upsets.
Has antibacterial properties to destroy wide range of microorganisms:
The antibacterial properties of lemongrass oil make it very effective for the prevention of various infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and many other fungal infections.
A study made at the University of Arizona shows that lemongrass oil is very effective for counteracting Salmonella newport, a microbial infection in cattle. Another study made in India shows that lemongrass oil is one of those oils that can combat Streptococcus mutans, a type of bacterium. Studies made in Japan also gave similar results.
Have some antioxidant properties:
Antioxidants are essential for the body. They help in fighting against the free radicals in your body, which otherwise can cause various diseases. According to research made, one of the components in lemongrass oil is very effective for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, especially in the early stages of this disease. Studies made in India shows that citral, a component in lemongrass oil, is responsible for giving it antioxidant properties.
Helps in Relaxing your muscles:
Just rub your body with diluted lemongrass oil or make your own lemongrass oil bath. This helps in increasing the blood circulation and providing you relief from muscle spasms, aches, sprains and cramps.
Improves the health of your hair:
Lemongrass oil can make your hair follicles stronger. The antibacterial properties of this oil help in keeping your hair strong and free from odour. All you have to do is to massage your scalp with a few drops of this oil and wait for 15 minutes. Then rinse your hair as you usually do. Hair tonics containing lemongrass oil are good for tatting dandruff.
Lower cholesterol levels naturally:
Cholesterol can greatly affect your health and lead to various diseases. So, it is important to keep your cholesterol within normal limits. Various studies conducted have shown that by consuming lemongrass oil, you can maintain healthy levels of triglycerides in your body, thus leading to a reduction in the levels of LDL, which is the bad cholesterol. This way lemongrass oil helps in maintaining unobstructed flow of blood through the arteries and reducing your risk of suffering from cardiac diseases.
In a Brazilian study, it was shown that by consuming lemongrass oil, you can lower the blood cholesterol levels very effectively and safely. There was another study made in Chile, which revealed that lemongrass is very effective for preventing the occurrence of atherosclerosis. A study made on mice showed that here was a reduction in the levels of cholesterol in mice when they were given lemongrass oil for 21 days.
Makes your immune system stronger:
Lemongrass is very effective for increasing the ability of your body to absorb nutrients. This way it helps in improving and strengthening your immune system. This in turn protects your body from various diseases and ensures that your body organs functions well for a long time.
Provides relief from headaches:
Often, after a busy day in the office, you return back home with a headache. Then lemongrass oil is very beneficial for you. The calming and soothing effects of this oil help in providing you relief from the pain, pressure and tension within a short time.
Relieve menstrual cramps forever:
Lemongrass oil is very beneficial for getting you relief from menstrual cramps as well as nausea and the irritability that come with it. According to US Food and Drug Administration, lemongrass is very effective for treating various symptoms associated with menopause. An infusion of lemongrass oil mixed with black pepper can provide you relief from the symptoms of menstruation. You can also prepare raw juice of lemongrass and consume it for getting relief.
Treat inflammation problems:
Lemon grass oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which make it great for treating various diseases like asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure. A study made in Algeria shows that lemongrass oil is very effective for the treatment of skin inflammation. According the studies conducted in Japan, lemongrass oil is said to contain a component called citral. This compound is responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass. Another study made in Japan says that presence of citral as well as geranial in lemongrass is responsible for the anti-inflammatory property of lemongrass.