Lemongrass has many beneficial uses.

Lemongrass is used as a spice in dishes not only because of its pleasant aroma but also because it is beneficial for a number of health disorders and has a beautifying effect on the skin.

Illustration photo: Internet

Lemongrass, also known as citronella or citronella grass – scientifically named Cymbopogon Citratus Stapf, belongs to the grass family – Poaceae. Lemongrass is an aromatic herb widely used in Indian, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Thai cuisine.

Lemongrass is used as a spice.

Lemongrass is a spice used in many dishes, primarily to stimulate digestion, eliminate the fishy smell of fish and meat, and enhance the flavor of food. Lemongrass can be used as a spice to complement the following dishes:

- Lemongrass is used in marinades for frying, soups and curries, and dishes made with poultry, fish, and seafood…

- Lemongrass pairs very well with coconut milk, especially with chicken or seafood…

Lemongrass is also used in tea or in pickles and other flavorings.

Treating illnesses with lemongrass

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, lemongrass is used under the names "huong mao" or "huong thao". The herb has a pungent, spicy taste, a fragrant aroma, and a warm nature. It is used to induce sweating, disinfect, reduce inflammation, relieve flatulence, promote urination, and clear phlegm. It is often prescribed to treat ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, diarrhea, rheumatism, bleeding, irregular menstruation, and postpartum edema.

Some medicinal remedies using lemongrass:

1. Hangover cure: Crush a bunch of lemongrass, add filtered water, and strain to make a cup. A person who is heavily intoxicated will quickly sober up and feel less tired and have a less headache after drinking this.

2. Cold and flu: Prepare a steam bath with lemongrass leaves, bamboo leaves, pomelo leaves (or lemon leaves), perilla leaves, and guava leaves. Before steaming, set aside a cup of the mixture. After steaming, drink the liquid and then cover yourself with a blanket and lie down for a while; this will help (a traditional remedy).

3. Headaches caused by weather changes: Lemongrass leaves, perilla leaves, mint leaves, mugwort leaves (one can be omitted), add 3-4 cloves of garlic, boil in water for steam inhalation.

4. To treat abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by cold (accompanied by fever, chills, headache, rumbling in the stomach...): 12g lemongrass, 12g dried tangerine peel, 12g guava buds, 20g bear root, 3 slices of fresh ginger. Boil in 2 bowls of water until reduced to 1 bowl, drink hot.

Beauty treatments with lemongrass essential oil

The main benefit of lemongrass lies in its essential oil, extracted from the leaves and roots, which has a high essential oil content of 8-10%. Therefore, lemongrass essential oil has many uses, not only for beauty but also for treating illnesses.

- Hair care: When you crush lemongrass leaves, you'll notice a distinctive aroma reminiscent of lemon. Therefore, women often use lemongrass leaves to boil water for washing their hair, making it fragrant, clean, and smooth, preventing hair and scalp diseases.

- Skin support: Lemongrass extract is an indispensable ingredient in the cosmetics industry because it has many benefits for the skin. Lemongrass essential oil improves skin quality by reducing acne and pimples, firming muscles and tissues in the body, preventing inflammation and excess fat, disinfecting the air through steam inhalation, and relieving fatigue.

- Anti-aging: Lemongrass essential oil contains many minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, etc., which help prevent aging and disease.

- Insect repellent: Lemongrass essential oil applied to the skin or sprayed indoors can repel flies, mosquitoes, and other insects such as gnats and fleas... therefore, it is often used as a mosquito repellent and deodorizer.

According to Tien Phong