Lemongrass
Any seed-bearing plant that has no woody stem and is noticeably short is called an herb. There are various herbs in the world. There are so many that now and then new species of herbs are discovered. Some useful, some non-useful, some commercially valuable, some not valuable, some medicinal, and some non-medicinal.
There are herbs all around us, we all have seen herbs around us. Even if you have no idea what herb is with almost certainty, you may have seen herb in your life. Many herbs have different properties and various healing abilities. Among the various herbs, Lemongrass is a popular one and is used for various purposes ranging from health to taste purposes.
Herbs and use of beneficial herbs
Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Ayurveda, the science of using natural indigents as medicines, has been with us for centuries. The practices of Ayurveda use various ranges of herbs and such plants. Ayurveda is the context of the ancient Indian part. But this does not mean that herbs were only used in the ancient Indian community.
Herbs and plant-based medicine were the first form of medicine that humans used and in one form or another, it is still used in today’s world. The practices of Ayurveda and other forms of medicine are still practiced by many around the world. If the practice of using herbs as medicine is still practiced today in this age of medicine and technology it simply means one thing, it is extremely useful.
If it was not good for healing and medicinal purposes, then this knowledge would have been lost centuries ago. The fact that this knowledge is here and thriving means only one thing, it is here, it was effective then and it is effective now.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)
Lemongrass is found in many parts of the world and around the world it is popular by various of its names. However, the most common and today most widely used is still lemongrass. Barbed wire grass, cochin grass, Malabar grass, fever grass, citronella grass, silky heads. They are found in various parts of the world and some varieties native to various continents.
Asian, African, Australian, the tropical island is some of the several types of native lemon grass found in the world. However, due to the popularity and multi-use of lemongrass, it is found now in many countries, not just the native ones. Various varieties are available in various countries.
Lemongrass appearance
Lemongrass is an herb, which fits the category of herbs where it lacks a woody stem. However, it may not fit into the category of herbs where they are small and are extremely near to the ground. Some varieties of lemongrass can grow to the height of 6 feet with 4 feet spread. The plant gives the vibe of a rice plant, where the herbaceous stem is compacted and as the plant goes upwards it long leaves are wide speeded.
However, one difference is it grows much larger and bushier than a rice plan also, it does not develop grains in its top as the rice plant does. The leaves are long, and they tilt downward when the plant starts to reach its maturity due to its enormous length. The plant is completely green in appearance, the leaves are light green while the base of the stem is white. Otherwise, the entire plant is mind to very green in appearance.
Taste
As the name itself suggests, lemongrass has a citrus and lemon-like taste with little even mint-like taste afterward. It also smells the same way.
Climate
Lemongrass grows in several types of climates. As various varieties are native to the various parts of the world they have adapted to various climates and environments. However, the ideal condition for Lemongrass is a warm and humid climate with sufficient moisture and sun. The ideal rainfall of the land for the commercial cultivation of the lemongrass needs to be 200-350 cm annually with an even distribution of rain throughout the year. Except for the ideal condition, lemongrass can also be grown and cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical climates.
Propagation of Lemongrass
Propagation of Lemongrass is done by two methods, the first one is done by seeds whereas the second one is by the vegetative method.
Seeds
Seed is a widely used and amazingly effective way for the propagation of lemongrass. The seed rate for lemongrass is 2.5 kg/ ha if we are talking about the ideal standard for commercial production of the crop. The crop from which the seeds of lemongrass are to be harvested is kept in good condition. For the commercial harvesting of the lemongrass seeds, the plants are left alone for development without harvesting from it. A healthy plant that has been left without harvesting to reach its maximum development can give up to 200 gm of seeds in one harvest.
The seeds after harvesting are sun-dried to be able to store them, maintain their viability, and plant when under favorable conditions.
Vegetative propagation
The process of developing a new plant from a specific part of the mother plant under favorable conditions is known as vegetative propagation. There are many ways this can take place; this truly depends upon the plant. For some plants leaves can be used, some roots, some branches, and so on. In the case of lemongrass for vegetative propagation, we use clumps of the plants. Here the clumps are split into slips that are planted into the ground. Like the seeds, slips are also planted on some effective distancing if to be done commercially. If planted 1 or 2 plants for personal use can plant at some distance one sees fit, no need to be so detailed.
Maturity
Lemongrass is an herb without a woody stem, so it matures very quickly compared to the trees and big shrubs. While the time of maturity is a little bit delayed compared to other small herbs. The plant becomes mature enough to harvest from it within 4-8 months of its planting.
Harvesting
The leaves of the plants are harvested when the main stalk of the plant reaches a thickness diameter of 0.5 inches. For the first year of planting 2-3 times harvest a year can be done, while after the first year the individual plant can be harvested 3-4 times.
Post-harvest
Lemongrass is used to make various things. After the harvesting of the plant, the post-harvest process and technologies depend on the product that is about to be made from them. Tea, essential oils, herbal products, etc. are some of the products that are made by using lemongrass. So, the post-harvest process may be different according to the product. Also, it depends on the value chain activities that are about to be done.
Some of the widely known benefits of lemongrass are as follows:
Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
One of the most widely known properties of lemongrass is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. This property of the plant is very widely utilized. The essential oils and the tea from its leaves also possess these properties. Lemongrass or its products can be used in case of bacterial or fungal infection in the body. A multipurpose herb may be what you need to fight the annoying bacterial or fungal infection in your body.
Healthy digestion
Lemongrass also performs well on the digestion and digestive system. Digestion is one of the most essential processes in our body. It is the process from which our body extracts the nutrients and energy to run as well as the things it needs to remain alive. Digestion is a complex process that has various steps until its completion. However, numerous factors affect the process, and sometimes due to internal and external factors, it may not be as it should be. Taking lemongrass as tea or by other means is found to promote digestion as well as the digestion process. There may be various problems regarding unhealthy digestion which lemongrass is found to help relieve.
Maintain healthy blood pressure
Pressure is a vital thing by which blood gets circulated in our body. However, pressure is both essential and dangerous thing. If the blood pressure is in control, it is a vital element for survival. However, if it gets unbalanced it can get extremely dangerous, even life-threatening. Unbalanced pressure is a problem for many people around the globe. Especially this generation has more patients with blood pressure more than ever. Lemongrass is used by many to balance blood pressure around the world. Some research says that lemongrass is amazingly effective in balancing systolic blood pressure.
Balancing cholesterol
Lemongrass tea and its essential oil extracts are said to be amazingly effective against increased cholesterol. Increased cholesterol is extremely dangerous among overweight and old people. Increased cholesterol can lead to some life-threatening diseases such as heart attacks and serious strokes. This condition is ever increasing as people are increasingly inclined towards unhealthy food and junk foods. However, a balanced diet combined with healthy lemongrass oil extracts is extremely beneficial and important. It is natural and completely healthy.
Lose weight
Lemongrass is particularly good at digestion balancing and other digestive system-related processes. There is some other thing also which happens by the process of digestion, whose credit goes to lemongrass.
Being overweight is quite common among people nowadays. Even the small children are near to it. It is also the reason small children develop some serious diseases at an incredibly early age. Being overweight itself is not a disease, however, it gives birth to many diseases and conditions. It is best to keep the body in good condition and lemongrass does that. One of the major causes for increased weight is slow metabolism which can occur through distinct reasons. Lemongrass tea increases the rate of metabolism and helps to fight obesity, and problems caused by it.
Anti-cancer
Cancer is a dangerous disease. People are afraid to even by its name because there is no distinctively effective medication and process against it. Yes, there are some processes and therapy, this, and that but there is a low chance of recovery and complete victory against it. However, cancer at an early stage, where it starts to develop, is not so dangerous. When it develops undetected and later stages it becomes a problem. Some research and some people suggest that the citral in lemongrass may have potent anti-cancer abilities, effective against cancer cell lines.
Battling anxiety
Feeling anxious occasionally during dangerous activities is a natural defense mechanism of the body. However, when anxiety becomes a part of daily lives people get anxious even while doing normal and simple activities like going out in public, talking to someone face to face, and doing other simple tasks. Anxiety sometimes becomes so big that it displaces the joy and happiness of life. A defense mechanism will now act against you and your way to happiness.
In this case, also lemongrass comes to the rescue. It is said that the smell of lemongrass is enough to relieve someone of their stress and tension. People also use lemongrass tea to relieve anxiety and stress. Essential oils and other extracts are also used sometimes in numerous ways to battle anxiety and other similar conditions.
Lemongrass tea
Tea is a drink that is made by boiling water with a certain herb in it. It is said that the technique of making tea using herbs was originated in China centuries ago. Now, tea is a popular drink all around the world. There are many kinds of tea in the world made with various herbs and having different properties.
Some are good and used for this while some are good for that. In these many types of herbal teas, there is one Lemongrass tea. It is made by pouring hot water into the leaves of lemongrass. Other ingredients such as mint can also be added to making lemongrass tea as it will add to the quality and taste of tea.
Lemongrass has various benefits that are proven. People consume it as tea or use it while cooking. Both are excellent ways to consume it and get its various health benefits.