Lemongrass green tea in summer and Lemongrass ginger tea in winter. The drink made with lemongrass is tangy and fragrant. It is a delightful taste! Lemongrass, which is rich in nutrition and has a pleasant flavor, is a suitable food material throughout the year, and it has many effects and methods of use. If you like planting, lemongrass can grow into idyllic beauty without special care.
Lemongrass is widely used in our lives-cooking, herbal tea, cocktails, perfumes, soaps and essential oils, etc. It can also regulate physical fitness or be used for medicinal purposes. Taking a bath can cure wind, cold, dampness and body aches. Lemongrass has a special “warming” effect. Well-known dishes such as green curry, lemongrass pot or lemongrass salted chicken will not get hot even in summer.
What is lemongrass
Lemongrass, also known as “Lemongrass”, which is abundant in India and Southeast Asia, is a species of the genus Citronella. It is generally used for cooking and flavoring of West Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). In India, there is also East Indian lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus).
The two types of lemongrass in West India and East India have similar effects , and both contain at least 70% citral which is the same as lemon peel. The appearance of lemongrass leaves is slender and similar to miscanthus, and the whole plant exudes a strong lemon scent mixed with citronella.
The lemongrass (C. citratus), which is mainly used as an ingredient, has a white stem, which can be cut and boiled or used as an ingredient in herbal teas and salads. The young leaves can be used for stir-fry. The stem of another kind of lemongrass (C.flexuosus) is either white or dark red. The essential oil of lemongrass is usually extracted by distillation, and a few drops are placed in the diffuser, which has a particularly aromatic and long-lasting taste.
Nutritional value and efficacy
Lemongrass is a must-have vanilla in many Nanyang cuisines -Thai hot and sour noodle soup, Hainanese chicken rice. The sour and sweet taste is also rich in many nutrients-vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B complex, minerals, Folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and other trace elements are not only appetizing, but also can promote blood circulation, improve immunity, and also help to reduce fat and lose weight.
Conditioning and maintaining skin
Lemongrass is rich in vitamin C. Drop a drop of lemongrass essential oil in moisturizing water to help your skin look brighter; vitamin A can repair the skin, be more anti-aging, soften cuticles, prevent acne and acne; lemongrass can regulate skin oil Secretion, especially suitable for people with oily skin. You can distill fresh lemongrass or buy lemongrass hydrosol for skin care after washing and bathing.
Soothes muscle soreness
Rub lemongrass essential oil mixed lotion on the sore muscles to stimulate the nerves, eliminate lactic acid, and relieve pain; aromatic massage oil can also be used with lemongrass essential oil, massage for 10 minutes a day can restore the elasticity of the loose muscles , Relieve the discomfort caused by exercise or standing for a long time.
The ratio of aromatic essential oils is about 20ml of sweet almond oil mixed with 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil, plus 3 other essential oils with 2-3 drops each, such as rosemary, ylang-ylang, mint, lavender, grapefruit, patchouli , Geranium or sage, etc., according to the effect of your favorite essential oils to match.
Soothing the mind and boosting the spirit
Lemongrass with a refreshing fragrance has obvious effects on restoring physical and mental balance. It can calm people’s minds, boost their spirits, and relieve colds, headaches and migraines-take a small pot, add 200ml of water and 10g of dryness Heat the lemongrass together and bring it to a boil, then boil it on a low heat for about 10 minutes, let it cool and add a little honey to drink.
If you want to change the taste, you can add more sliced apples and cook it together. That is “Lemongrass Apple Tea”. After the residue is strained, it is good to drink hot or cold. You can also try lemongrass essential oil incense, spray natural scent, or drop a few drops in the footbath to relax your muscles and bones, so comfortable, but use lemongrass in moderation before going to bed, so as not to regain your energy and sleep at night Not aware of it.
Detox and adjust physique
Lemongrass has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects. According to folklore, it can treat diseases such as gastroenteritis, stomachache or fever. In addition, eating lemongrass can help stimulate the intestines, diuretic and detoxify, eliminate edema, reduce vascular diseases, etc., and increase the frequency of urination. It excretes toxins from the body and greatly improves immunity.
Fresh and dried lemongrass
Most of the dried lemongrass on the market are dried lemongrass stems. The whole lemongrass can be used. Whether it is fresh or dried lemongrass, it has a strong lemon aroma and can be stewed in the soup.
Fresh lemongrass is the first choice. It has a delicious flavor and is often used as a seasoning herb. You can chop the leaves or smash the stems and add them to cooking. It takes a while for the stems to boil out the flavor. The local usage in India is to crush fresh lemongrass and soak it in water. In addition to drinking it, it can also be used to rinse hair or bathe.
Dried lemongrass is easier to preserve than fresh lemongrass, and it has a more woody taste. Soaking in hot water for about 3-5 minutes can dissolve a unique aroma, which is very suitable for making tea. If you are used to making a cup of coffee for refreshing, you might as well try “Lemongrass Tea”, which also has refreshing and health benefits.
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How to buy lemongrass
When selecting high-quality lemongrass, you should pay attention to it. The surface is dry, free from insects and impurities. The lower part of the stalk is white or light yellow, and the upper part is green. If the outer leaves are crusty or brown, it means that it is not fresh enough and it is best not to buy it; Smell it and see it, with a refreshing lemon scent. After brewing the tea, the color of the tea should be light yellow without irritating taste.
Where can I buy lemongrass
You can find fresh lemongrass in grocery stores or Asian markets, and some supermarkets sell frozen lemongrass stems in the freezer section, or it is very convenient to buy home delivery online. If you have a balcony or garden, you can also plant fast-growing lemongrass for viewing and eating.
How to grow lemongrass
It is very convenient to grow lemongrass by yourself. You can have a lemongrass hot pot or make a pot of lemongrass fruit tea every week.
Lemongrass is suitable for planting from March to April. Buy a few fresh lemongrass, cut off a short section of the stem end and soak in a glass of water, change the water every 2 days, and wait for the lemongrass to grow roots. It may take 2 weeks to The time varies from 1 month. Once 1.5-2.5 cm of roots have grown, they can be planted in gardens or large pots of soil.
