Lemongrass essential oil - properties and applications

Lemongrass is a commonly used culinary ingredient in food and drink. It is popular in the cuisine of Asian countries, such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia. Lemongrass is an aromatic plant that gives dishes a special, unique, fresh and earthy flavor.

A delicious aromatic additive, which is used to use in cooking, in addition to its aromatic features, has a number of healing properties. It will be about lemongrass essential oil, filled with real healing power of nature. Extracted from lemon grass, the essential oil has unique and powerful healing properties. Widely and very successfully distributed in alternative medicine.

Description

Lemongrass (existing well-known names - lemon grass, citronella, lemon cereal, shrubbeard and others) - is a grass. It is a perennial and evergreen plant from the bluegrass family. There are two types of lemon grass, and both types have the same healing properties. However, there are differences in plant odors. One has the scent of “earth,” the other has a lemon smell.

Lemongrass grows mainly in the tropics or subtropics. Common herbs such in India, in Guatemala and Sri Lanka. The regions of China and Asia are also popular in growing evergreen bushes. For good growth, the plant needs sandy soil with a hot and humid climate.

Facts from the story

From ancient times it was known - aromatic lemon grass and the essential oil extracted from it were successfully used:

• with various diseases of the digestive tract;
• to improve metabolism;
• to increase the body's natural protective properties;
• with the extinction of vital energy;
• from headaches and migraines of a different nature;
• with problems with blood circulation and to fight against cardiovascular diseases;
• to reduce cholesterol;
• to fight infections and infections;
• with nervous disorders, stress, tension;
• with malfunctions of the menstrual cycle in women and girls.

Lemon grass has been successfully used to treat fever. In such cases, the healing effect of lemon grass was enhanced by the added black pepper. Then the fever had no chance.

How to get lemongrass essential oil?

Lemongrass essential oil is obtained by steam distillation. Partially dried leaves of lemon grass are used as raw materials. The color of the resulting oil may turn yellow or amber, but more often varies between these two colors. The aroma of the essential oil is fresh, similar to the aroma of fruits from the citrus family, grassy sweetness is heard in the echo.

The list of medicinal properties of lemongrass essential oil

1. The antiseptic, antifungal and wound healing properties are endowed with an element contained in the evergreen plant - citral. It has a powerful antibacterial, antifungal and wound healing effect on the human body. Among other essential oils, lemongrass has the highest antibacterial properties. Disinfection of indoor air can be carried out using a purchased or home-made spray with lemongrass. Recipe: dilute a few drops of essential oil in alcohol, add to water.Spray in air as needed.
2. The antipyretic effect of the essential oil of the shrubbery is achieved by affecting the body through increased sweating as a result of adding to teas.
3. Bad breath can be removed if you use citronella oil instead of a regular mouthwash. Add 1-2 drops of oil to a glass of water, use a freshly prepared solution.
4. Traditional healers note an anti-inflammatory effect and antioxidant property.
5. The carminative effect that nature has provided to lemongrass is to reduce gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract and remove existing gases.
6. The sedative property possessed by lemon grass is one of its most famous qualities. Oil has a mild soothing and calming effect on the body. It is indicated for use by people suffering from insomnia, nervous tensions and psychological disorders, prone to stress and depressive conditions.
7. Anticarcinogenic substances enter the fight against cancer: limonene, flavonoid and luteolin. Limonene, according to scientific medical research, has anticancer and antitumor properties. The flavonoid acts in the forward direction - in the fight against cancer cells. Luteolin is targeted for the treatment of pulmonary infections.
8. The antiseptic properties of the healing unique oil allow its use in the care of open and closed wounds. Lemongrass inhibits the growth of bacteria and blocks the development of dangerous infections.
9. The hemostatic effect is achieved thanks to the astringents that are in the composition of lemongrass essential oil, blood vessels are compressed and the blood flow stops.
10. Cleansing the kidneys when ingested occurs due to the diuretic effect, which is due to increased urination.

Practical recipes and tips for using lemongrass oil

1. The use of oil for external pain and inflammation. Lemongrass copes with inflammatory processes in the body, reduces inflammation, alleviates or completely relieves pain. Recipe: Dissolve 2 drops of Lemongrass essential oil in 1 teaspoon of any base oil. The base oils can be any neutral oil, for example, jojoba oil, peach or apricot.
2. An optimistic mood can be achieved by using lemongrass essential oil as an antidepressant in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is used to aromatize rooms using an aroma lamp. Two drops are enough to use the oil in the aroma lamp. The lemongrass ethers soothe, relax, eliminate gloomy and negative thoughts, inspire confidence.
3. For severe pain or muscle tension, a session of soft, relaxing massage using a duet of massage oil and lemongrass is indicated. Massage mixture recipe: Mix 15 ml of base oil and 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil.
4. Massage with a small amount of lemon grass oil will help reduce menstrual pain in girls and women.
5. During bouts of headache and migraine, a mixture of essential oil and jojoba is applied with your fingertips to the temporal parts of the head.
6. For sleep problems, a foot massage with lemongrass oil is recommended. To relieve general fatigue, tension and irritability.
7. First aid for shock: drip a couple of drops of essential oil on cotton wool or a cloth and bring to the nose.
8. Joint pains are treated the same way - the main combination of base oil with lemongrass. With arthritic pain, geranium essential oil or birch oil is added to the prepared mixture. These two essential oils in combination with lemongrass give a tangible therapeutic effect.
9. For the treatment and treatment of wounds using this mixture: in a quarter cup of hazelnut oil add a few drops of citronella. Use as directed.
10. During heartburn, a mixture of jojoba oil and a few drops of lemon cereal oil should be gently rubbed into the neck and chest along the esophagus.
11. An antipyretic effect can be easily achieved by rubbing a mixture of citronella essential oil and grape seed oil into the feet and heels, the back of the neck from the hairline to the chest, excluding the area of ​​the heart.
12. Indigestion will help get rid of a mixture of a small amount of lemongrass and grape seed base oil applied to the stomach.
13. To repel fleas, it is necessary to apply a couple of drops to the withers of the animal. Oil will repel insects for several hours.
14. Citronella oil is used against mosquitoes and other insects, applying it to the skin, always mixed with your favorite base oils. In a pure form it is applied to clothes, a few drops are enough to achieve the effect. Mosquitoes and other insects cannot tolerate the delicate lemon scent.
15. You can get rid of fungal nail damage using a treatment mixture of 5 teaspoons of jojoba base oil and 5 drops of lemongrass oil. Be sure to apply to the site of fungal lesions several times a day and before bedtime, under the toe.
16. Excessive sweating of the legs will eliminate lemongrass oil mixed with any base oil. Apply at night.

Use in Skin Care

• For cosmetic purposes, lemongrass oil takes its rightful place.
• It has a positive effect on oily skin.
• With regular use, cleanses the pores and tightens them.
• Eliminates black dots, prevents the appearance of new ones.
• Kills bacteria, relieves inflammation, relieves redness.
• Gives the skin a healthy, radiant appearance, improves overall tone.
• It is indicated for people with aging, sagging skin.

The recipe will help cure acne: moisten a cotton pad or swab in any base oil, drip 1 drop of essential oil onto the disc. It is necessary to treat acne locally, that is, pointwise, in the morning and in the evening, regularly, until it disappears.

Cracks on the lips will heal quickly if moistened damaged lips with oil several times a day.

What oils can I combine with?

With oils: jasmine, geranium oil, lavender oil, lavender, tea tree, coriander, basil, cedar tree.

Contraindications and side effects of lemongrass essential oil

1. Contraindicated during pregnancy due to the threat of interruption.
2. Nursing women, and preschool children are also not recommended to use oil.
3. This product is better not to use if a person suffers from hypertension and increased excitability of the nervous system.

Citronella oil will not be harmful if used in small quantities and in the short term. With prolonged oral administration, lemongrass can cause gastrointestinal upsets.

The use of undiluted ether on the skin is prohibited, use is permissible only after dilution in the base oil, at the discretion (jojoba oil, peach, apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil).

In order to avoid burning, itching and other allergic reactions resulting from the use of essential oil, before use it is necessary to conduct a test for the reaction - dilute a small amount of the essential oil in the base oil and apply it on the skin pointwise.

Video: lemongrass essential oil