All You Need to Know About Lemongrass

This article will explain all you need to know about lemongrass. It is widely known as the miracle herb. This aromatic and flavorful herb has many healing benefits which make it highly in demand among herbalists worldwide.

All you need to know about lemongrass is that it can be used to cure a lot of ailments such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, rheumatism, allergies, colds, flu, and fatigue. The lemongrass contains natural components and oils that make it very effective for these purposes.

It has both medicinal and therapeutic uses. It is also known to be a powerful insect repellent. Modern research has shown that lemongrass has antimicrobial and antibacterial activity, which means it, may also be effective against some viruses. All you need to know about lemongrass will be explained in the points below:

1. Tips for Growing Lemongrass

1.1 Choice of Soil       

Lemongrass is best for tropical and well-drained soil, but it will grow just about anywhere.

• Lemongrass prefers rich soil with a deep, mulchy texture.
• They also prefer to have their roots fairly deeply dug in the soil, about half the length of the stem.

1.2 Requirement of Sunlight

These plants need to get a lot of suns, approximately 6 hours each day.

1.3 Remove Weeds

It is very easy to maintain the appearance of your lemongrass. You just have to remember to remove any weeds that sprout from the plant every few weeks.

• This helps retain the full flavor and fragrance of the plant.

1.4 Watering

Another thing in all you need to know about lemongrass includes that, This herb will require water when it’s in bloom, but you shouldn’t saturate the soil at this time as the roots will need to have room to expand.

1.5 Best Season to Grow Lemongrass          

The best season to grow lemongrass is during spring or fall.

• During summer, you can harvest your lemongrass when it’s in full bloom. Harvest it right after the flower buds open in the morning.

1.6 Best time to Harvest Lemongrass

The best time to harvest lemongrass is an important point in all you need to know about lemongrass, it is in late winter or early spring.

• Harvesting should be done just before the stalk begins to curl up, as this is when the herb starts to dry out most of its leaves.

2. Tips for Taking Care of Lemongrass

These are just some of the tips for taking care of lemongrass in all you need to know about lemongrass.

• They are easy to maintain and give excellent results if you remember to pick, clean and store your lemongrass properly.
• Lemongrass is an herb that can be used by anyone for its wonderful flavor.

2.1 Adequate Light and Shade

When growing it you should provide it with adequate light and shade so it does not dry out.

2.2 Pruning

All you need to know about lemongrass also includes that, during the spring season, the best time to prune the plant is when it starts to bloom.

• It is recommended that you divide the plant into three even divisions.
• The branches that spread out towards the sunlight should be pruned while those that are close to the ground should be left alone.
• During the summer season, the best time to prune the plant is when the flowers start to open.
• During this time, you should thin out the branches and allow the main stem to grow. This will help the plant to have more space and will prevent it from becoming stressed.

2.3 Watering

As far as watering the lemongrass goes, it does well with only regular watering.

• The leaves can dry out a bit if they are overwatered though.
• When the leaves start to appear dry they should be lightly misted with water.
• This helps to keep the leaves moist while they are in full sun. The natural oils in the leaves make them easier to preserve when the leaves are not being used.

2.4 Taking Care in Different Seasons

While learning all you need to know about lemongrass, It is important to remember that this plant is best cared for in the autumn season or in the winter.

• It will need a lot of warmth during these times.
• In addition to this, it is best to refrain from touching the leaves, since this can damage it.

2.5 Mulching

Tips for taking care of the lemongrass plant are very easy.

• The best way to ensure that the plant receives all the proper nutrition is by providing it with plenty of water.
• Do not forget to mulch it as well, especially during the winter season.
• By doing so, you will protect the plant from freezing.

2.6 Use Insecticides

Care tips for taking care of the lemongrass plant can also include the use of insecticides.

• There is no need to apply these chemicals when you are growing the plant inside your house.
• However, when you are out on a picnic and there are pesky insects around, you can spray the plant using an insecticide.
• However, make sure that the insecticide used is not harmful to humans and pets.

 3. Health Benefits of Lemongrass

3.1 Appetite Suppressant    

An important benefit in all you need to know about lemongrass is that, It may help in controlling one’s diet. It may even suppress one’s cravings for food, which can result from overeating.

3.1.1 Prevent Obesity

This leaves less room for binge overeating or compulsive eating, which can lead to obesity and other related health problems. It can therefore be used to lose weight.

3.2 Anti-inflammatory Agent

All you need to know about lemongrass includes that it has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of arthritis. It reduces swelling and pain associated with it.  

• This herb may be especially useful in those who suffer from psoriasis, as it has been found to be a good anti-inflammatory agent.

3.3 Antibacterial Agent

Lemongrass has the potential to improve our health in several ways. It may fight against bacteria that cause infection and sore throat.

3.4 Antiseptic Properties

The antiseptic properties of lemongrass may also be responsible for reducing the spread of infections to other parts of the body.

3.5 Boost Immune System

Lemongrass helps in boosting the immune system. It has been found to be extremely helpful in fighting against infectious diseases. It is an important point in all you need to know about lemongrass.

• It can help prevent colds and flu.
• It is also used in decongestion and relief of congestion due to various conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

3.6 Act As an expectorant

Lemongrass can help with lung problems, such as asthma. This is because it is a bronchodilator, meaning it can widen air passages and make the air passage easier for air to pass through.

• This allows mucus to move out of the lungs more easily, thus lessening the amount of mucus that stays in the body.
• This also decreases the frequency of coughing or chest colds, allowing the respiratory system to function more effectively.

3.7 Lower Cholesterol

This is because it has an antioxidant that makes your body more resistant to the damaging effects of cholesterol.

• It is also a natural diuretic that can help your body flush away toxins. Because of these properties, it can be helpful in reducing the risks of heart disease.
• This herb can even prevent stroke and arthritis from occurring in your body.

4. Benefits of Lemongrass for the Skin

4.1 Control Skin Irritation

As an herb, lemongrass has many uses. You can use it to help control skin irritation. It can be used to soothe burns and rashes.

4.2 Treatment of Skin Infections

It is also believed to be useful in the treatment of skin yeast infections and insect bites. Some people even believe it helps to improve a person’s memory.

4.3 Improve Dry Skin

As a topical treatment, lemongrass is known to benefit dry skin. It is also effective for improving the appearance of irritated and dry skin.

• The herb can be used as a first layer of skin moisturizer.
• A further application can be applied as a light mask once daily.
• You can also mix lemongrass oil with castor oil for a good body lotion.

4.4 Soothing Effect on Skin

Along with the List of Benefits of Lemongrass for the Skin and its soothing effect on the skin, lemongrass is also known for its antibacterial properties.

• As mentioned before, lemongrass contains highly effective antibacterial oil, which is why it can be used as a natural alternative for cleaning the skin.
• As an effective astringent, lemongrass is used in the fields of medicine and dentistry. It is even used in some cosmetics and skin care products.

4.5 Insect Repellent

The next reason why you should include the benefits of lemongrass in your beauty regimen is that lemongrass is a strong insect repellent.

• The oil even repels mosquitoes and sand flies, which is why you should make it a part of your daily routine to apply it around your household.
• Misting the leaves of lemongrass helps eliminate the need for spraying insecticide, which can be harmful to both humans and pets.

4.6 Anti-aging Benefits

List of Benefits of Lemongrass for the Skin continues with the anti-aging benefits of the oil.

4.6.1 Promote Collagen Production

The oil of lemongrass contains vitamin A, which is known to promote collagen production in the skin. This process leads to the elasticity of the skin, making it look younger.

• Some research even suggests that lemongrass has positive effects on skin when it’s applied before the first signs of age appear!

5. Uses of Lemongrass

5.1 Uses as a Fungicide

In all you need to know about lemongrass it is important to mention that, In gardening, lemongrass is best known as a fungicide.

• When mixed with water and applied directly to a wound, it can speed up the healing process and minimize the chances of secondary infection.

5.2 Uses as Disinfectant

As an alternative, it can also be used as a topical antiseptic to disinfect areas that have been exposed to bacteria.

• It can also be used to repel insects from a garden area by applying it to the leaves of plants.

5.3 Treatment of Skin Diseases

While discussing all you need to know about lemongrass it is important to mention that, In Chinese medicine, the lemongrass herb is often applied to the skin to treat skin disorders, such as eczema, psoriasis, and burns.

• It is also used to treat internal ailments, including gall bladder problems, flatulence, nausea and dysentery.
• Its oil has been used for treating flatulence, diarrhea and indigestion.

5.4 Uses as a Relaxant

One of the main reasons that people use lemongrass is because it is known as an antibacterial.

• Lemongrass is also excellent for relieving headaches, relaxing the body and relieving stress.
• There are many uses for this lovely herb but the best way to use it is to mix three tablespoons with a glass of water and drink!

5.5 Soothe the Skin

Some people also use lemongrass for healing. In fact, the ancient Hindus used it for almost everything!

• It is excellent for internal and external burns, cuts, and bruises.
•  A thick layer applied on the skin after a hot bath can soothe the pain of the burn.
• If you rub the oil gently into your scalp and hair, it will leave your hair and the skin wonderfully smooth.

5.6 Source of Nutrients and Minerals

One of the best things in the discussion of all you need to know about lemongrass is that it is a great source of minerals such as manganese, zinc, and calcium.

• In addition to being rich in nutrients, lemongrass is also rich in fatty acids such as linoleic, stearic, and palmitic acid.
• These fatty acids help improve the health of the heart and the rest of the body.
• These fatty acids, in turn, help protect the brain from aging.
• And because it contains Vitamin E, lemongrass is also considered to be a powerful antioxidant.

5.7 Cough Remedy

To use the herb as a cough remedy, simply take a couple of leaves and put them in boiling water for about twenty minutes.

• This will work as well as any decongestant for those who find that colds are tough to deal with.
• If you live somewhere where coughs are common, this could be a real life saver.

6. Conclusion

All you need to know about lemongrass needs to be stored properly. Because it is a tropical herb, it needs to be kept out of direct sunlight. Moisture will also cause it to wither. Make sure you dry your lemongrass completely before using it. Most herb stores will give you a dry mix so you can wrap it in plastic for shipping.

As mentioned above, lemongrass has a lot of health benefits. If you want to buy this herb, you should know that it is available in different types. You can get fresh lemongrass, dried lemongrass, or the oil extract lemongrass. Those who are interested in buying this herb should know that it is widely available in Asian food stores and some health stores.