Lemongrass is a grassy tropical plant that is used in cooking and herbal medicine. Lemongrass oil has a strong citrus scent and is extracted from the leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant. It’s commonly found in soaps and other personal care items.
Lemongrass oil can be extracted and has been used by doctors to treat digestive issues and high blood pressure. It also has numerous other potential health benefits.
Indeed, lemongrass essential oil is a popular aromatherapy tool for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Continue reading to learn more about how to use lemongrass essential oil to improve your health.
Reasons to use lemongrass essential oil
1. It is antibacterial in nature
Lemongrass is a natural remedy for wound healing and infection prevention. Lemongrass essential oil was found to be effective against a variety of drug-resistant bacteria, including those that cause:
- Infections of the skin
- Pneumonia
- Infections of the blood
- Severe gastrointestinal infections
2. It has antifungal properties
Fungi are organisms like yeast and mold. According to a study, lemongrass oil was an effective deterrent against four types of fungi. One type causes an athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
Researchers found that at least 2.5 percent of the solution must be lemongrass oil to be effective.
3. It is anti-inflammatory in nature.
Chronic inflammation is thought to be the root cause of a variety of health issues, including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. Citral, an anti-inflammatory compound, is found in lemongrass.
According to a 2014 animal study, oral lemongrass essential oil demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory properties in mice with carrageenan-induced paw edema. When applied topically to mice with ear edema, the oil also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects.
4. It contains antioxidants
Antioxidants assist your body in combating free radicals, which cause cell damage. Lemongrass essential oil has been shown in studies to help fight free radicals.
According to a 2015 study, lemongrass oil mouthwash has high antioxidant levels. Researchers believe it could be used as a complementary therapy for non-surgical dental procedures and gingivitis.
5. It may aid in the prevention of gastric ulcers or the relief of nausea
Lemongrass is used as a folk remedy for a variety of digestive issues, including stomachaches and gastric ulcers. Lemongrass essential oil, according to a 2012 study on mice, helped prevent gastric ulcers, a common cause of stomach pain.
Lemongrass is also a common ingredient in herbal teas and nausea supplements. Although most herbal products contain dried lemongrass leaves, aromatherapy with the essential oil may provide similar benefits.
6. It may aid in the relief of diarrhea
Diarrhea is usually just a nuisance, but it can also lead to dehydration. Over-the-counter diarrhea medications can cause unpleasant side effects such as constipation, prompting some people to seek natural remedies.
Lemongrass may help slow diarrhea, according to a 2006 study. The oil reduced fecal output in mice with castor oil-induced diarrhea, possibly by slowing intestinal motility, according to the study.
7. It may aid in cholesterol reduction\
High cholesterol levels may increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. It is critical to maintaining stable cholesterol levels.
Lemongrass has long been used to treat high cholesterol and manage heart disease.
A 2007 study lends credence to its use for those conditions. Lemongrass oil significantly reduced cholesterol in rats fed a high cholesterol diet for 14 days, according to the study.
The positive reaction was dose-dependent, which means that its effects changed as the dose was increased or decreased.