DIETARY TIPS

Know about Lemongrass!

Lemongrass is an herb that belongs to the grass family of Poaceae. Lemongrass oil has a light and fresh lemony smell. It is stimulating, relaxing, soothing, and balancing.
It is used as a medicinal herb in India and it is common in Asian cuisine. In African and South American countries, it is popularly used for making tea.
The compounds that make up lemongrassessential oil are known to have anti-fungal, insecticidal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
It can also be used for flavoring tea and soups, and it adds fragrance to cosmetics, soaps, and homemade deodorizers.
Nutrients - Lemongrass is an abundant source of vitamins A and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and manganese; with minute traces of the B vitamins.

• Skin Health- its antiseptic and astringent properties make lemongrass oil perfect for getting even and glowing skin. It can sterilize your pores, serve as a natural toner, and strengthen your skin tissues.
• Hair Health- Lemongrass oil can strengthen your hair follicles, so if you are struggling with hair loss or an itchy and irritated scalp, massage a few drops of lemongrass oil into your scalp for two minutes and then rinse.
• Natural Bug Repellant- Because of its high citral and geraniol content, lemongrass oil is known to repel bugs such as mosquitoes and ants.
• Stress Reducer & Sleep Aid- The sedative and hypnotic properties of lemongrass oil can help to improve the duration and quality of sleep.
• Detoxifying- Lemongrass oil or tea has been used as a detoxifier in several countries. It is known to detox thedigestive tract, liver, kidneys, bladder, and pancreas. Because it works as a diuretic, consuming lemongrass oil will help you to flush harmful toxins out of your body. Keep your system clean by adding lemongrass oil to your soup or tea.
• Menstrual Cramp Relief-Drinking lemongrass tea is known to help women with menstrual cramps; it can also help with nausea and irritability. Drink two cups of lemongrass tea a day to relieve pain associated with your period.
• Fights the Flu or Colds-Lemongrass oil can fight bacteria and can help to treat sicknesses such as the common cold, especially when used with a vaporizer.
• Reduces Inflammation-The anti-inflammatory properties of lemongrass oil comes from the substance called limonene.
• Antioxidant
• Gastric Ulcer Cure

Warnings/Side Effects

• Avoid lemongrass in individuals with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to lemongrass. Lemongrass may cause allergic contact skin reactions.
• Lemongrass may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and in those taking drugs, herbs, that affect blood sugar.
• Lemongrass may cause slight increases in liver function tests, particularly bilirubin, or an increase in pancreatic tests, particularly amylase. Patient with liver conditions should use lemongrass with caution and proper medical guidance.
• Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding as certain chemical compounds in lemongrass (beta-myrcene), may cause decreased birth weight, increased perinatal mortality, and delay in development when taken at high doses.

DIETARY INTERVENTION

Recipe : lemongrass rice

Ingredients :

• Rice-1 cup
• Lemongrass – a handful of stalks from 2 stems
• Water- 2 cups
• Salt
• Sesame oil – 1tsp

Method

• Rinse the ricemanytimes, drain and keep aside.
• Rinse thelemongrass stem and chop the stalks
• In apressure cooker,add rice and lemongrass stalks
• Add water, salt andsesame oil
• Cook for 3-4 whistles and when the pressure settles down, remove thestalks andserve with any curry dishes.