Lemon grass, also known as Cymbopogon citratus, is a perennial plant native to subtropical regions. It is a common ingredient in south Asian cooking and is used for its aroma and flavor in various cuisines worldwide.
In traditional medicine, lemon grass has long been used to treat various ailments, including hypertension or high blood pressure.
Research suggests that lemon grass may indeed be beneficial for reducing hypertension and its associated symptoms.
- Studies have shown that lemon grass contains compounds with vasorelaxant properties. These compounds can help reduce tension on the walls of blood vessels and lower overall vascular tone, lowering total peripheral resistance and blood pressure readings.
- Additionally, researchers suggest the dietary polyphenols found in lemon grass can reduce oxidative stress levels by inhibiting free radicals from damaging cells, which play an essential role in regulating blood pressure levels. For this reason, adding lemon grass to your diet may help promote healthy blood pressure readings within the normal range.
Although eating a more balanced diet is always recommended for people with hypertension or prehypertension symptoms, drinking tea made from fresh lemon grass leaves is one way to benefit from its hypertensive properties potentially.
Additionally, therapeutic aromatherapy treatments featuring essential oil extracted from lemon grass may relieve symptoms of high blood pressure, such as headaches and dizziness.
Related Read
Health Benefits of Lemon Grass
Lemon grass is a popular herb used in many Asian cuisines, but did you know it also has health benefits? Studies have shown that lemon grass can help reduce blood pressure and relieve the symptoms of hypertension.
It also boosts the immune system, aids digestion, and reduces inflammation.
Let’s dive into the research on the health benefits of lemon grass.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Lemon grass has long been recognized as an effective treatment for hypertension. Scientific studies have shown that it contains compounds that have significant anti-inflammatory effects and can prevent or reduce the deposition of fats around cells in the body.
The polyphenol compounds help keep cells healthy by inhibiting fat oxidation.
In addition, research indicates that polyphenols may also help regulate blood pressure, restrict cell growth, and reduce inflammation in people with hypertension.
In a study published in Food & Nutrition Research, scientists gave participants either a controlled diet high in polyphenol-rich fresh lemon grass or polyphenol-poor institutional food to compare the effects on lipid profiles.
After one month, they found that those who ate lemon grass had significantly lower cholesterol levels than those on the full-food regimen.
Moreover, experiments conducted with rats showed that consuming lemon grass extract decreased their “bad” cholesterol and raised their “good” cholesterol levels, reducing total cholesterol levels in their bodies.
Further research is needed to explore whether similar results can be seen in humans, but current evidence strongly supports this conclusion!
Antioxidant Properties
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tropical perennial herb native to South Asia, such as India and Sri Lanka.
The plant can reach up to 4 feet in height and has a pleasant citrusy flavor and aroma, making it a popular culinary ingredient. It also possesses numerous health benefits due to its antioxidant properties.
The primary health benefits of lemon grass include its ability to:
- Aid in weight loss
- Improve digestion
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve blood circulation
- Relieve stress and anxiety
- Accelerate healing process
- Prevent hypertension
- Boost the immune system function
- Protect against pathogenic bacterial infection
- Relieve respiratory tract disorders
- Minimize pain due to arthritis.
Lemon grass is rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, natural antioxidants known for their ability to neutralize free radicals in the body that can cause aging and cell damage.
These antioxidants also protect cells from oxidative stress caused by chronic diseases such as cancer or heart disease.
Furthermore, lemon grass contains several essential vitamins, including B-complex vitamins such as thiamin (B1) and pyridoxine (B6), and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc, essential nutrients for proper cell growth and functioning.
The high amounts of vitamin C in lemon grass also make it an effective defense against common illnesses such as colds or flu.
Other essential phytonutrients like caffeic acid further help reduce inflammation related to asthma or rheumatoid arthritis and inhibit LDL oxidation associated with cardiovascular issues.
Finally, Lemon grass may even help lower blood pressure due to its diuretic effects, which help rid excess water from the body, thus reducing strain on the circulatory system.
Also, Read
Lower Blood Pressure
Lemongrass, a perennial grass native to Southeast Asia and found in tropical climates, has long been used as a traditional medicine for various health problems.
The potential health benefits of lemongrass include its ability to lower blood pressure.
Studies have shown that lemongrass contains bioactive compounds that can help relax the walls of your blood vessels, increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
Additionally, it helps in increasing physical activity, which further reduces hypertension. Furthermore, lemongrass may reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, critical for controlling hypertension.
Other research indicates that lemongrass may also help reduce cholesterol levels, thereby helping improve your heart health and reducing your risk of other cardiac complications such as stroke or heart attack.
In addition, some evidence suggests that the dietary compounds in lemongrass may be able to protect against certain cancers due to their potent antioxidant properties.
How to Use Lemon Grass
Lemon grass is often used as an herbal remedy to lower blood pressure. It is said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, which help reduce the risk of hypertension.
Besides this, lemon grass has other benefits as well. This article will discuss using lemongrass to treat hypertension and its potential health benefits.
As a Tea
Lemon grass is a natural remedy for high blood pressure used in eastern cultures for centuries. It is thought that the properties of lemon grass can help reduce stress, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation.
To make lemon grass tea, take one teaspoon of chopped fresh lemon grass or one tablespoon of sliced dried lemon grass and steep it in boiling water for 10 minutes.
Strain the liquid before drinking and inhale the pleasant aroma while sipping hot. For best results, drink two cups daily – one in the morning and one at night. If you experience digestive discomfort after taking this tea, reduce your dosage or discontinue use altogether.
Also, Read
In Cooking
Lemon grass is one of the most versatile and widely used herbs in cooking. Its subtle lemony flavor makes it great for many dishes, including curries, soups, noodles, and salads.
You can use lemon grass’s tender inner white shoots for a milder flavor. The plant leaves can also be quartered and added to salads or cooked with meats or vegetables to impart their unique lemony taste.
It’s also common to mince the stalks and use them as a garnish or as part of a marinade.
One important thing to remember when cooking with lemongrass is that it has tough stalks that must be pounded or crushed before being used to release its flavor and aroma.
You should also discard any tough outer layers before adding them to your dishes since they don’t soften when cooked.
Lemon grass pairs well with fish, chicken, pork, beef, and vegetable dishes, so feel free to experiment with different recipes to find out which ones suit your taste!
Potential Side Effects
Although lemon grass is generally considered safe, there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of when considering this herb for hypertension.
- There have been reports of nausea and vomiting when consuming high doses of lemongrass oil.
- The oil may cause allergic skin reactions in some people, particularly those with sensitive skin or allergies to other plants in the same family as lemon grass.
It would be best to always speak with your doctor before adding any herbal remedy to your high blood pressure regimen.
It is also important to note that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take lemon grass oil without consulting a qualified healthcare provider.
There is not enough scientific evidence about the safety and efficacy of using this herb for pregnant or nursing mothers. It is also not advised for people with diabetes since it may interfere with blood sugar levels.
Ultimately, anyone who experiences any discomfort or adverse reactions when taking any herbal remedy should stop using it immediately and consult their doctor if necessary.
Conclusion: Is Lemon Grass Good For Hypertension
To conclude, some scientific evidence suggests that regular consumption of lemon grass tea may be beneficial in improving hypertension.
Its bioactive compounds, especially citral and citrus limonoids, have been linked to an increased ability to control blood pressure.
Studies have also shown that incorporating lemon grass into one’s diet can result in other potential health benefits, such as weight loss, improved digestion, and better mental clarity.
Despite these positive implications, further research must be conducted to conclusively prove the effectiveness of using lemon grass to treat hypertension.
It is best to consult a healthcare professional or nutritionist before starting any new dietary or herbal supplement regimen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is lemon grass good for hypertension?
A1: Yes, lemon grass can be beneficial for hypertension. Studies have found that compounds found in lemon grass can help relax the blood vessels, which can help reduce blood pressure.
Q2: How should lemon grass be consumed for hypertension?
A2: Lemon grass can be consumed in a variety of ways. It can be brewed into tea, added to soups, stews, and curries, or added to a smoothie. It is essential to talk to your doctor about the best way to incorporate lemon grass into your diet.
Q3: Are there any side effects to consuming lemon grass?
A3: While there are no significant side effects to consuming lemon grass, some people may experience an upset stomach or skin irritation. As with any new food, starting with a small amount and increasing gradually is best.
