Lemongrass is a perennial cereal plant native to the subtropics and tropics of Cambodia, India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Guatemala and Sri Lanka. Lemongrass is an incredibly popular culinary ingredient. It is used to prepare many exotic dishes. In addition, a valuable essential oil is extracted from the plant. Lemongrass is actively used in traditional medicine.
Historical background
Since ancient times, people have used the healing properties of lemongrass and the essential oil obtained from it in folk medicine. Useful substances in its composition made it possible to cope with digestive problems, headaches, infections. Healers used the plant as a sedative, as well as to boost immunity and normalize the menstrual cycle.
In some countries, the culture has been successfully used to treat fever. With medicinal propertiesLemongrass essential oil, combined with black pepper, has been shown to have amazing results in the fight against this serious disease that has previously killed many people.
Magical plant
Lemongrass is also called "voodoo grass". The plant is still credited with magical properties. Probably, this opinion was formed in ancient times, when the use of herbs in the treatment of ailments gave excellent results. Many healers still believe that lemongrass works wonders. It is believed that if you plant lemongrass around the garden, then all the snakes will leave it. A similar reaction of reptiles is due to the fact that they cannot tolerate the pronounced smell of lemongrass.
Recommended for growing in the tropical regions of Africa, as its aroma helps to get rid of the tse-tse fly, which causes a lot of trouble to the locals.
Making butter
Lemongrass essential oil is produced by steam distillation. The raw material is the dried leaves of lemongrass. Not all varieties of culture are suitable for processing. The unique essential oil of lemongrass can only be obtained from two varieties of the plant:
- West Indian.
- East Indian.
These two types of herbs differ only in shades of aroma. East Indian Lemongrass has an incredibly fresh, lemon-grass scent. The West Indian plant has a more delicate aroma that has notes of lemon peel and violet.
Outwardly twooils are very easy to distinguish. West Indian has a characteristic amber color. But East Indian oil has a rich yellow color.
Distinctive features and characteristics
The healing properties of lemongrass essential oils have been used by people for a long time. Lemon grass from Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India is called Malabar grass. It has a pronounced citrus aroma with hints of ginger. The oil obtained from such a plant is more healing. It is used for medicinal purposes. In addition, it is used in the preparation of sauces and famous Thai soups, which have a unique aroma and taste.
West Indian Lemongrass has a more refined and delicate scent that combines citrus notes with violet notes in an amazing way. This lemongrass is used to make desserts, as it harmonizes well with nuts, cinnamon, ginger and coconut milk. It is also added in the process of making beer.
The beneficial properties of lemongrass essential oil are due to the complex and rich composition. It contains numerous trace elements: magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, selenium, potassium, manganese. The oily liquid has bactericidal properties. The use of lemongrass essential oil is quite wide. It is used not only as an incense. But at home, it is necessary to use ether with caution, since its aroma is strong and stable. For aroma lamps, mixtures of oils are often used, which are good with each other.match.
The effect of oil on the emotional sphere
The sphere of influence of the beneficial properties of lemongrass essential oil is quite wide. The perky, tonic and refreshing aroma of the herb is great for keeping a person's emotional state in good shape. The amazing smell eliminates the feeling of fatigue and exhaustion, increases mental activity and activity, concentration, improves working capacity and memory. Fresh and bright lemongrass oil helps to adapt in any conditions. With it, you can fill the deficit of positive emotions, overcoming passivity and apathy. Lemongrass is often referred to as the “optimist oil.” After all, it cheers up, encourages activity, stimulates composure and the ability to make decisions.
Lemongrass oil is the perfect choice for insecure people who need to overcome fears and take decisive action. Lemongrass is believed to ward off bad luck from a person. It is indispensable in the erotic sphere, as it increases endurance and stimulates activity. The use of lemongrass essential oil is incredibly relevant in many areas of human life.
Use in cosmetology
The high content of useful trace elements in lemongrass has led to its widespread medicinal use. Lemongrass essential oil is ideal for daily care of oily and porous skin, which is why it is found in many cosmetic products. Lemongrass has a cleansing and toning effect, leaving the skin looking refreshed. Oil brightens problematicpores, helping to reduce them. It has an effect on the relief of the skin, helping to smooth it.
Spot application of an oily substance allows you to get rid of acne. The oil is effective in skin inflammatory processes, it can be safely called the best remedy in the fight against comedones. Trace elements in its composition help to eliminate toxins, deeply moisturize, restore elasticity, improve the functioning of the lymphatic system and tissue regeneration.
Lemongrass oil actively affects problem areas with cellulite, it reduces oily skin and greasiness of hair. It should be said about the antifungal effect of lemongrass. I use it as an element of complex therapy for dermatitis and infectious skin lesions.
Lemongrass Essential Oil: He alth Benefits
As we already mentioned, lemongrass oil has an antiseptic effect, so it is used in the fight against infectious diseases. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect is strongly pronounced in the treatment of tonsillitis, laryngitis and herpes. Essential oil has a general stimulating and invigorating effect, giving an energy impulse to the nervous system, which leads to the efficient functioning of the muscles and digestive organs. All this leads to an increase in appetite and a lift in mood. A person quickly forgets about their problems associated with flatulence and colitis.
Judging by the reviews, lemongrass essential oil successfully relieves headache attacks,stimulating blood circulation. Many users note that with the use of this tool there is an accelerated excretion of lactic acid. Lemongrass has an active effect on metabolic processes, allowing you to cope with the problem of darkening in the eyes, dizziness, weakness, hypotension. Oil promotes recovery after overcoming protracted ailments. It helps prevent the development of varicose veins.
Home use
In everyday life, oil can be used to disinfect rooms, water and household items. It is used to treat insect bites on the body. The healing substances of the miracle cure remove all the unpleasant sensations that arise at the site of the lesion. The oil repels ticks, cockroaches, fleas and other animals, as it has a pronounced lemon aroma.
Contraindications
Humanity has long appreciated the miraculous plant. But are there any contraindications for lemongrass essential oil? Useful properties of a substance are not in all cases an argument for use. You should not use the oil with a tendency to excitability, with hypertension, glaucoma or problems with the prostate. It is not recommended to use it during the entire pregnancy. The oil has an active effect on the body, so it must be kept away from young children. And adults are not allowed to use it continuously for two weeks.
The bright, fresh and impulsive aroma of lemongrass, when inhaled, can cause temporaryhoarseness, hoarseness, voice disturbance or perspiration. After applying the oil to the skin, not only redness can be observed, but also a burning sensation, which disappears after five minutes. On dry skin, the substance has an astringent effect.
Using Hair Treatment Oil
Almost every one of us is faced with the problem of dry and dull curls. In this case, lemongrass essential oil will come to the rescue. For hair, this is an indispensable tool. Based on it, you can prepare a healing mask. To do this, take 3-5 tablespoons of cosmetic oil (avocado, almond or coconut), add 15 drops of lemongrass oil to it.
The resulting mixture is applied to dirty, unwashed hair. The head is wrapped in foil or a bag and the mask is left for a couple of hours. After the lapse of time, the oily agent is washed off with shampoo. Regular use of the mask will restore the former beauty of your curls and make them he althier.
Easy recipes
To increase the effectiveness of your homemade body and face creams, masks and shampoos, you can add three drops of essential oil to them, which will enhance the effect of substances with their healing properties.
Which is better to mix lemongrass essential oil with if you want to clear your pores? To obtain a healing solution, you can use any other oil in combination with the oily liquid of lemongrass. The substances are mixed in a ratio of 7:10 (7 drops of lemongrass oil). The resulting mass is applied to problem areas and washed off after five minutes.water.
To keep your body in good shape and preserve its beauty, you can use oil baths. To do this, add five drops of oil to honey, s alt or bath foam. You can take a water procedure for no more than 20 minutes.
The oil is also used in massage treatments. But it is worth remembering that it must be applied carefully. No more than four drops of ether can be added to the massage cream.
But a different composition is used to combat cellulite. For anti-cellulite massage, a mass is used, which is prepared with the addition of 4 drops of lemongrass oil and 8 drops of another ether to the cream.
Where else is essential oil used?
In everyday life, lemongrass ether is widely used. Speaking of a wonderful substance, one cannot help but recall cooking. The aromatic component is indispensable in the preparation of soups, fish dishes and confectionery. Thais are especially active in using lemongrass. Their national dishes abound with the spicy aroma of lemongrass.
It is impossible to imagine without the smell of lemongrass and perfume. Ether is widely used for the production of air fresheners, soaps, and household chemicals. Oils are part of some medicines. The deterrent properties of lemongrass are used in the production of flea and lice remedies. At home, with the help of oil, you can get rid of moths. To do this, three drops of ether are applied to a cotton swab, after which they are placed on the cabinet.
You can use lemongrass oil at homeuse for aromatherapy. To do this, it must be mixed with other esters. Jasmine, geranium, lavender, coriander, tea tree, basil and cedar tree oils can be used as a base. They all harmonize perfectly with each other.
Oil reviews
Lemongrass ether is actively used by modern cosmetologists in beauty salons, talking about its high performance. No less successfully, you can use the oil at home. Numerous positive reviews allow us to consider it from the best side. According to consumers, the use of oil gives excellent results. It has a strong effect on problematic skin and hair, making them he althy without the use of expensive cosmetics. Ether is no less effective in the fight against insects in the house.
