Lemongrass - beneficial properties and contraindications

Lemongrass is also called shizandra. The plant is a liana shrub with inflorescences of white shade, red berries and salty-sweet taste. Lemongrass, as the name implies, smells of citrus fruit lemon.

Composition of lemongrass

This plant is valued for its content of schizandrins and schizandrols, which are natural essential oils. They are famous for their bactericidal, anti-inflammatory, regenerating and tonic properties.

However, it is interesting that the final list of incoming substances depends on what specific part of the liana shrub is considered. Fruits occupy a special place in the field of use, so let's consider what they contain.

As part of a lot of acids, among them citric, malic, tartar and others. There are tannins, flavonoids, pectin compounds, coloring pigments, natural sugars (represented by glucose and fructose) in lemongrass.

The plant also concentrates a decent amount of polyoxyphenols, these are methyl esters, they tone up the body and clean the tissues. Of the minerals, the place of honor is occupied by potassium, magnesium, silicon, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, copper, and boron.

There are in the composition of fatty acids, which can replace the reception of fish oil. A lot of iodine, molybdenum, selenium is concentrated in the bark of the plant. The stems are dominated by ethers, as well as minerals in the form of manganese, sodium, phosphorus. Calorie lemongrass low in portions 100 grams. only 11 Kcal.

The benefits of lemongrass

1. To benefit, you need to take the berry daily, or at least three times a week. It tones the body, relieves chronic fatigue, invigorates and strengthens the immune system.
2. It is useful liana fruits affect the eyes, so the lemongrass is shown to receive people with fallen vision. The berry also normalizes the psycho-emotional environment of a person, fights depression and insomnia.
3. Not without beneficial effects on the brain.Stimulation of neurons is carried out, the activity of absolutely all important cognitive functions is being adjusted.
4. There is even a special therapy based on lemongrass. It lies in the fact that during the month you need to eat berries, drink tea with it, use broths. So you greatly strengthen the immune system during the spread of ARVI and flu.
5. Another major feature of the fruit is the improvement of digestive processes. Frequent consumption of berries to increase metabolism, food does not lie in the intestines.
6. Due to the accumulation of folic acid, lemongrass is prescribed to girls who are in a delicate situation. During pregnancy, red berries will increase vitality, remove excess fluid, relieve swelling and eliminate constipation.

Ways to use lemongrass

1. Rarely used fresh berries, because they knit tongue and sour strongly. But on the lemongrass make all sorts of tinctures, medicinal decoctions, teas, fruit drinks, wine, juice, jam. Also use the fruit in dried form.
2. It is interesting that in the process of heat treatment through the oven with a converter lemongrass almost does not lose valuable substances.It also preserves the lion's share of minerals, acids, vitamins. First, drying is carried out at 40 degrees, then the temperature is raised to 60 and dried.
3. Juice also tends to be stored for a long time. It is prepared using a special device - a juicer or the old-fashioned way through a sieve and gauze fabric. Refreshing drink before taking should be diluted with water to reduce the concentration of acids.

Rules for the collection and storage of lemongrass

1. All parts of the liana plant are successfully used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. Seeds, bark, berries, leaves - all this is suitable for collection and storage.
2. With regard to the collection of bark, the procedure is best carried out in the spring. Creepers are harvested when lemongrass begins to bear fruit. In order to preserve the medicinal properties of the leaves, they need to be collected when the flowers bloom.
3. Some folk healers prefer to harvest the mucous mass obtained from the foliage. Then the procedure is postponed until the beginning of leaf fall. After collecting the shoots with leaves are dried and laid out in linen bags.
4. Berries can be collected only in ripe form, because in this way you can be sure that the chemical list of substances is fully formed. In immature specimens will not be so much benefit.
5. In the process of gathering the fruits of the tassels are cut off with a knife and folded into the basket. Further processing should be carried out during the day, lemongrass can not lie down for a long time.

The use of lemongrass in cosmetology

1. Valuable enzymes that are present in the composition of the fruit, allow you to apply the extract of lemongrass for cosmetic purposes. Many manufacturers of body care products include active ingredients that are part of Schizandra. As a result, there is an improvement in metabolic processes in the tissues of the epidermis.
2. The oil of the presented plant brightens the skin well and tightens the pores, solving problems with acne. Systematic use of lemongrass juice perfectly nourishes and moisturizes the epidermis. As a result, natural rejuvenation occurs, small wrinkles and creases disappear. The skin acquires natural elasticity.
3. For daily care of the epidermis, it is enough to add 6 drops of herbal extract to baby cream. Thanks to this procedure, the skin is noticeably softened and toned.You can also resort to using a rejuvenating face mask.
4. To do this, connect 50 gr. rustic sour cream and 15 gr. fruit pulp of lemongrass. Spread a uniform composition in a dense layer over the face, neck and decollete. Wait a third of an hour, after which wash with some water at room temperature.
5. To strengthen the hair and improve the structure, it is recommended to systematically use the infusion of the leaves of the plant represented. Also on sale you can find skin care products around the eyes based on parsley and lemongrass. In addition, various formulations for anti-fat strands and preparations for fading skin are available.

The use of lemongrass in traditional medicine

1. Official medicine also has not bypassed the plant. In pharmacies, you can purchase products based on the extraction of the product. Such medicines act as an adaptogen. The composition is used for the treatment and prevention of colds in children and adults.
2. As for traditional medicine, an effective recipe will help to get rid of or prevent the development of gastritis. Grind dried fruit to powder. Take raw materials for 3 gr. twice a day. The tool helps to increase blood pressure.
3. Deciduous decoctions will help to get rid of scurvy. Turn into mush 50 gr. fresh fruit and place in an enamel container. Pour in 300 ml. boiling water. Boil the ingredients for about a quarter of an hour on the steam bath. Take the composition of 30 ml. twice a day.

Contraindications magnolia

1. Lemongrass is very popular in traditional medicine and has great benefits for the human body. Like any product, raw materials have their drawbacks in the form of contraindications. It is forbidden to take lemongrass with individual intolerance.
2. It is also worth noting that the product can significantly harm a person with impaired cardiac activity, increased excitability, hypertension, epilepsy, vegetative-vascular dystonia, high intracranial pressure, insomnia, and infectious diseases that occur in an acute form.
3. It is not recommended to include lemongrass in the diet during breastfeeding and during gestation. Also, do not give the product to children who have not turned 12 years old. If necessary, consult with a specialist. The fact is that lemongrass is considered a powerful stimulant.
4. If you abuse the raw materials, soon you will experience a severe headache, tachycardia will begin, problems with sleep, an allergic reaction will appear. If you are faced with a similar, immediately stop taking the product. In the future it is worthwhile to significantly reduce the portion of the consumed composition.

In the medical and cosmetological orientation, the plant is more often used in dried than fresh form. But in cooking, various concoctions, teas, and infusions made from fresh lemongrass are made on the basis of fruits.

Video: medicinal properties of lemongrass