Start your day with lemongrass tea and enjoy its brain-boosting benefits
02/11/2020 / By Rose Lidell / Comments
Start your day with lemongrass tea and enjoy its brain-boosting benefits

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) has a lemony aroma and a refreshing citrus flavor. This superfood offers many health benefits, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

A study published in the Journal of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants also found that lemongrass boosts brain health!

Battling amnesia with lemongrass

For the study, the researchers set out to determine the brain health-boosting properties of lemongrass. They used a mouse model with scopolamine-induced amnesia to test if lemongrass can protect memory function.

The researchers gave three groups of mice either 25, 50 or 100 milligrams of lemongrass extract per kilogram (mg/kg) body weight and the control group 10 milliliters (mL) of a saline solution per kg for seven days.

For the interaction studies, they administered treatment 30 minutes before the animals were given amnesia-inducing scopolamine. After each treatment, they evaluated memory function using Y-maze and object recognition tests. They also measured biomarkers of oxidative stress (i.e., malondialdehyde and glutathione) and acetyl-cholinesterase activity in the brains of the treated mice.

The researchers reported that lemongrass increased memory performance and reduced scopolamine-induced amnesia.

Scopolamine increased oxidative stress and induced acetyl-cholinesterase activity in the mice, but treatment with lemongrass extracts reversed these effects.

Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that lemongrass can be used in as an alternative medicine for memory decline.

The health benefits of lemongrass

Lemongrass smells like lemon but has a milder, sweeter taste. This superfood is often used in different Asian cuisines to give meat, poultry and seafood a tangy, lemony flavor.

Lemongrass is also used as a natural preservative and bug repellent. Because lemongrass has a zesty, refreshing aroma, it is often used to make cosmetics, perfumes and soaps.

Lemongrass is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and improve mood. Every part of the plant offers health benefits that can be incorporated in natural treatments.

It improves digestive health

Lemongrass is good for your digestive health because it is rich in dietary fiber.

The superfood is a prebiotic that helps repopulate the “good” bacteria in your colon. Lemongrass also contains citral, an antimicrobial compound that can help eliminate “bad” bacteria. Studies show that citral can help get rid of Salmonella and E. coli, two common causes of gastroenteritis.

Lemongrass can be used to address digestive problems, such as:

  • Bloating
  • Constipation
  • Cramps
  • Diarrhea
  • Flatulence
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion

It has cardioprotective properties

Lemongrass not only benefits heart health, it also contains antioxidants that help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Lemongrass is rich in potassium, which helps lower and regulate blood pressure. To manage your blood pressure, use lemongrass as a seasoning instead of salt.

How to make lemongrass tea

For dosing recommendations, consult a qualified natural health practitioner. If you’re not used to drinking lemongrass tea, limit your intake to one cup daily. If you can tolerate one cup of lemongrass tea well, feel free to drink more.

If you experience any adverse side effects, stop drinking the tea or reduce the amount you consume. It is best to avoid drinking lemongrass tea if you are pregnant or taking any medications. Do not give lemongrass tea to small children.

Ingredients for 1 serving:

  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1-3 teaspoons of fresh or dried lemongrass

Preparation:

  1. Pour boiling water over the fresh or dried lemongrass.
  2. Let the mixture steep for about five minutes.
  3. Strain the tea before drinking. If you prefer a cold drink, add ice cubes to make iced lemongrass tea.

Purchase loose lemongrass tea or lemongrass tea bags at natural food stores or online. Another option is to purchase organic lemongrass at nurseries where herbs are sold. This will allow you to grow fresh lemongrass at home.

If you don’t want to drink lemongrass tea, you can also cook with it!

  • When eating lemongrass raw, mince it well because it’s stringy.
  • Add it to poultry or fish before baking.
  • Add a stalk or two of lemongrass to a cup of chicken noodle or other savory broths.

Improve brain function and boost your digestive and heart health by drinking lemongrass tea.

Sources:

TAndFOnline.com

Top10HomeRemedies.com

Healthline.com

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