5 reasons to love fever grass (lemon grass

 

Lemon grass which is commonly known as fever grass is an indigenous plant to Africa and Asia. It is scientifically known as Cymbopogon citratus. It has long slender leaves and as its name implies, it tastes like lemon. Nutrients found in lemon grass include vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, copper, potassium, calcium, folate, zinc, iron, phosphorus, manganese and folic acid. Lemon grass can be consumed fresh or can be dried and preserved for further use. Here are five benefits of lemon grass. Though there is little research on the importance of lemon grass, its effectiveness is confirmed by folk users all over Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and Asia.

1 alleviates common cold, headache and fever

Fever grass has anti-bacterial and antifungal properties that fight against, cold, cough and fever. Peoples suffering from asthma or bronchitis should drink fever grass as it helps to clear the respiratory tract and eases breathing. The vitamin C in it helps fight infections. Here is how to make use of fever grass when you have a cold, headache or fever.

·       Boil a few strands of fever grass and drink it like tea. Drink it as often as you wish for a few days.

·       Boil large quantities of lemon grass especially when fresh. Pour the content into a large bath. Sit on a chair and put the bath directly in front you and inhale the vapour from the bath. Cover yourself and the bath with a thick blanket. Do this for 30 minutes. By the time you are through, your common cold, fever or headache will have subsided greatly. Do this morning and evening for best results.

2 Reduces joint pain

 Fever grass contains anti-inflammatory properties that suppresses cyclooxygenase-2 which is an enzyme that causes pain especially in joints.  Fever grass will therefore help to reduce joint pain caused by arthritis, rheumatism and osteoarthritis. Fever grass also helps relieve the muscles in sprains and strains thereby reducing pain.

·       Drink fever grass tea daily

·       Rub fever grass oil on the affected area till the pain subsides. Fever grass oil is extracted through a process known as steam distillation.

 

3 lemon grass can kill cancer cells

A study conducted at Ben Gurion University has shown that a component of lemongrass called citral causes apoptosis (cell suicide) in cancer cells. 

4 reduces cholesterol levels

Researchers from the Department of Nutritional science in the University of Wisconsin conducted a research in 1989 to establish the link between lemon grass and cholesterol. The findings of the study was published in the medical journal of lipids in 1989. The clinical trial involved 22 people with high cholesterol and blood fats. This group of people took 140 mg of lemon grass oil daily and at the end of the study, they experienced a significant reduction in cholesterol levels and blood fats.

5 detoxifies the body

Lemon grass tea is able to detoxify the body and help get rid of toxins from the body.  Due to its diuretic components, it cleanses and detoxifies the body by promoting frequent urination. By so doing the kidneys and bladder are cleansed. Drink lemon grass tea once in a while to detoxify your body.

Sources:

Top ten home remedies. “Top ten health benefits of lemon grass” available at http://www.top10homeremedies.com/kitchen-ingredients/top-10-health-benefits-lemongrass.html  accessed on June 24, 2015.

www.medicalhealthguide.com. “Lemon grass uses, health benefits and side effects” available at http://www.medicalhealthguide.com/herb/lemongrass.htm#b