Lemongrass essential oil - properties and uses

Lemongrass is a commonly used culinary ingredient in food and beverages. 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 “earthly” aroma.

A tasty aromatic additive, which is used to use in cooking, in addition to its aromatic features, has a number of healing properties. We will talk about the essential oil of lemongrass, filled with this 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 (the existing well-known names - lemon grass, citronella, lemon grass, chellebeard and others) - is a grass. It is a perennial and evergreen plant of the bluegrass family. There are two kinds of lemon grass, and both species have the same healing properties. However, there are differences in the smells of plants. One has the flavor of “earth”, the other is dominated by a lemon scent.

Lemongrass grows mainly in the tropics or subtropics. Such herbs are common in India, in Guatemala and Sri Lanka. The regions of China and Asia are also popular in the cultivation of evergreen bushes. The plant for good growth requires sandy soil with a hot and humid climate.

Facts from the story

It has long been known that fragrant lemon grass and the essential oil extracted from it were successfully used:

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

Lemongrass has been used successfully 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 do you get the essential oil of lemongrass?

Lemongrass essential oil is produced 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 it varies between these two colors. The aroma of the essential oil is fresh, similar to the aroma of fruits from the family of citrus fruits, herbal sweetness is heard in the echo.

The list of medicinal properties of essential oil of lemongrass

1. Antiseptic, anti-fungal and wound-healing properties endowed with the element contained in the evergreen plant - citral.It has a powerful antibacterial, anti-fungal and wound-healing effect on the human body. Among other essential oils, lemongrass has the highest antimicrobial properties. Indoor air disinfection can be performed with a commercially available or home-made spray with lemongrass. Recipe: Dilute a few drops of essential oil in alcohol, add to water. Spray in the air as needed.
2. The antipyretic effect of Chelmobrile essential oil is achieved by exposing the body to excessive sweating as a result of the addition to teas.
3. Unpleasant smell from the mouth can be removed if you use citronella oil instead of the usual mouthwash. Add 1-2 drops of oil to a glass of water, use a freshly prepared solution.
4. Traditional healers note anti-inflammatory effect and antioxidant properties.
5. The carminative effect that nature has bestowed on Lemongrass is to reduce gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract and eliminate already existing gases.
6. The sedative property possessed by lemon grass is one of its most famous qualities.The oil has a mild sedative and calming effect on the body. It is indicated for use by people suffering from insomnia, nervous tension and psychological disorders, prone to stress and depression.
7. Anticarcinogenic substances enter the fight against cancer: limonene, flavonoid and luteolin. Limonene, according to scientific medical research, has anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. Flavonoid acts in the forward direction - in the fight against cancer cells. Luteolin is focused on the treatment of lung infections.
8. The antiseptic properties of 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. Hemostatic effect is achieved due to the binding elements that are in the composition of the essential oil of lemongrass, blood vessels are compressed and the blood flow stops.
10. Purification of the kidneys when ingested is due to the diuretic effect, which is due to increased urination.

Practical recipes and tips on using lemongrass oil

1. The use of oil for external pain and inflammation. Lemongrass copes with inflammatory processes in the body, reduces inflammation, relieves or completely relieves pain. Recipe: In 1 tsp of any base oil, dissolve 2 drops of essential oil of lemongrass. The base oils can be any neutral oils, for example, jojoba oil, peach or apricot.
2. Optimistic mood can be achieved by using the essential oil of lemongrass as an antidepressant in aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is used to aromatize rooms with the help of an aroma lamp. To use the oil in the oil burner is enough two drops. The ethers of lemongrass calm, relax, eliminate dark and negative thoughts, instill confidence.
3. For severe pain or tension in the muscles, a soft, relaxing massage with a duet of massage oil and lemongrass is shown. Massage recipe: Mix 15 ml of base oil and 3 drops of essential oil of lemongrass.
4. Massage with a small amount of lemon grass oil will help reduce menstrual cramps in girls and women.
5. During attacks of headache and migraine, a mixture of essential oil and jojoba is applied to the temporal parts of the head with the tips of the fingers.
6. If you have problems with sleep, 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 a cotton wool or a rag and bring to the nose.
8. Joint pains are treated in the same way - the main combination of base oil with lemongrass. With arthritis, 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 intended.
10. During heartburn, a mixture of jojoba oil and a few drops of lemongrass oil should be gently rubbed into the neck and chest along the esophagus.
11. The 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 shoulders of the chest, eliminating the heart area.
12. The indigestion of a mixture of a small amount of lemongrass with base oil of grape seed will help to get rid of indigestion.
13. To scare away fleas it is necessary to apply a couple of drops on the withers of the animal. Oil scares insects for several hours.
14. Anti-mosquitoes and other insects use citronella oil, applying it to the skin, always in a mixture with your favorite base oils. In pure form, put on clothes, to achieve the effect will be enough a few drops. Mosquitoes and other insects do not tolerate a delicate lemon scent.
15. You can get rid of nail fungus with a medical mixture of 5 teaspoons of jojoba base oil and 5 drops of lemongrass oil. Be sure to put on the place 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 a worthy place.
• It has a positive effect on the skin prone to fat.
• With regular use it cleans the pores and tightens them.
• Eliminates black dots, prevents the appearance of new ones.
• Kills bacteria, relieves inflammation, eliminates redness.
• It gives the skin a healthy, radiant appearance, improves overall tone.
• It is indicated for people with fading, loose skin.

Cure acne rash will help recipe: moisten a cotton pad or tampon in any base oil, drop on a disc 1 drop of essential oil. Acne treatment is necessary locally, that is, point, morning and evening, regularly, until it disappears.

Cracks in the lips will heal quickly if you moisten the damaged lips with oil several times a day.

What oils can be combined?

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

Contraindications and side effects of essential oil of lemongrass

1. Contraindicated during pregnancy due to the threat of termination.
2. It is also not recommended to use oil for nursing women and children of preschool age.
3. It is better not to use this product if a person suffers from hypertension and an increased excitability of the nervous system.

Citronella oil will not harm if used in small quantities and short term.With prolonged ingestion, lemongras can cause gastrointestinal upset.

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

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

Video: Lemongrass essential oil