Red Lemongrass, We Know About Its Benefits and How to Process It

Illustration of the Red Lemongrass, We Know About Its Benefits and How to Process It

Red Lemongrass, We Know About Its Benefits and How to Process It. Red lemongrass is one of the spices that is often used as a spice for cooking. In addition to adding flavor, red lemongrass also has many health benefits due to several active compounds in it, such as polyphenols and flavonoids.

Red lemongrass or citronella is a herbal plant derived from the Poaceae family. This plant is native to Thailand and is common in the tropics and has a distinctive aroma, which is why it is often used as a spice for cooking. In addition, red lemongrass is also often used as a traditional remedy for streptococcal pharyngitis.

Although they look the same, regular lemongrass and red lemongrass are different. The difference lies in the redder color of the lemongrass stems and the pungent aroma. In addition, red lemongrass contains citronella oil, which is an antioxidant, antibacterial and antiseptic that has health benefits.

The myriad health benefits of red lemongrass

In addition to citronella oil, red lemongrass also contains other active compounds such as polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins, namely antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic. Therefore, it is not surprising that red lemongrass has many health benefits.

Here are some of the benefits of red lemongrass that you can get:

1. Reduces inflammation in the body

Red lemongrass is known to contain active compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and saponins, which have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. The content of this compound is useful for reducing inflammation in the body due to the effects of free radicals, which can trigger various diseases. 

2. Treats oral problems

The next benefit of red lemongrass is the treatment of oral problems. These benefits come from various antibacterial compounds, such as lemongrass oil, which are able to fight and prevent the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria that cause tooth decay and bad breath.

3. Relieves diarrhea

Red lemongrass is also effective in relieving diarrhea or indigestion caused by bacterial infection E. This benefit is achieved due to the content of active compounds in the form of saponins and alkaloids, which are antibacterial to fight bacterial infections that cause diarrhea. 

4. Lower cholesterol levels

In addition to relieving diarrhea, red lemongrass is also able to lower cholesterol levels in the body. This benefit is achieved due to the content of active compounds in the form of flavonoids and polyphenols, which are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.

These compounds are able to prevent inflammation and lower levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body, which can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

5. Accelerates wound healing 

The study found that red lemongrass oil extract has the potential to accelerate wound healing, especially wounds in people with diabetes, which tend to take longer to heal. This ability is achieved thanks to the active compounds in lemongrass - antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.

6. Prevents cancer

The flavonoid content of lemongrass compounds is known to be anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. This is due to the ability of flavonoids to prevent free radicals that cause inflammation and regulate the metabolism of the body's cells. In this way, the body will avoid cancer. 

7. Relieves pain

Red lemongrass oil extract or citronella oil can relieve pain due to inflammation. This is similar to a study that found lemongrass oil can reduce pain symptoms in people with rheumatoid arthritis. This benefit is achieved thanks to the anti-inflammatory compounds that red lemongrass has.

8. Overcoming anxiety

The distinctive aroma of red lemongrass can not only be used as a flavor enhancer in dishes, but can also overcome excessive anxiety and stress. The reason is, the distinctive aroma of red lemongrass oil is able to provide a calming effect.

You can use a mixture of red lemongrass oil and almond oil to massage your body to make it more relaxed and relaxed.

How to care for lemongrass

To reap the health benefits of red lemongrass, you can process red lemongrass into herbal teas, topical oils, or aromatherapy. If you want to turn it into herbal tea, here are the steps to make it:

• Slice or crush a few red lemongrass stalks, then place them in a cup.
• Pour boiling water into a cup.
• Let its stand for 5 minutes, then strain.
• Enjoy your red lemongrass tea while it is warm.

Although the safe dosage is not known for sure, you should not consume more than 1 cup of lemongrass tea daily. This is to avoid side effects such as dizziness, dry mouth, frequent urination, and loss of appetite. 

Meanwhile, if you want to use lemongrass as a topical oil or aromatherapy, mix 12 drops of lemongrass oil with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or almond oil. After that, you can drop lemongrass oil into a bucket of bath water, drip it into a diffuser, or apply it directly to the skin. 

If you want to use it on the skin, red lemongrass oil should first apply a small amount to the inside of the elbow to make sure there are no skin allergies.

Even though it has many health benefits, it does not mean that you should make red lemongrass the main treatment. If you want to learn more about the health benefits of red lemongrass or want to use it as an alternative treatment, you should first consult a doctor through your favorite app.

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