Extracted from the leaves and stems of the lemongrass plant, lemongrass oil has a strong citrus scent. That’s why, lemongrass oil is widely used as aromatherapy to help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
But later it was discovered that lemongrass oil has other benefits that are not just aromatherapy. Come on, find out what are the benefits of lemongrass oil for health, as reported by Healthline.
Has antibacterial properties
Lemongrass oil can be used as a natural remedy to heal wounds and help prevent infection. Research from 2010 found that lemongrass essential oil is effective against a variety of drug-resistant bacteria, including those that cause skin infections, pneumonia, and serious intestinal infections.
Has antifungal properties
According to a study from 1996, citronella oil is an effective deterrent against several types of fungus, one of which causes athlete’s foot, ringworm, and itching in the groin.
Has anti-inflammatory properties
Chronic inflammation can lead to many health problems, including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer. According to a 2014 animal study, orally administered lemongrass essential oil demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory abilities in rats with carrageenan-induced leg edema. Lemongrass oil also showed an anti-inflammatory effect when applied to rats with ear edema.
Has antioxidant properties
Antioxidants help your body fight cell-damaging free radicals. According to a 2015 study, lemongrass oil mouthwash exhibits strong antioxidant abilities. Researchers suggest it as a potential complementary therapy for non-surgical dental procedures and gingivitis.
Helps reduce cholesterol
High cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Lemongrass is traditionally used to treat high cholesterol and manage heart disease. A 2007 study helps support its use for the condition. The study found citronella oil significantly reduced cholesterol in mice that had been fed a high cholesterol diet for 14 days.
Help prevent stomach ulcers and relieve nausea
Lemongrass is used as a folk remedy for a number of digestive problems, from stomachaches to stomach ulcers. According to a 2012 study in mice, lemongrass essential oil helps prevent peptic ulcers, a common cause of stomach pain.
Lemongrass is also a common ingredient in herbal teas and supplements to treat nausea. Although most herbal products use dried lemongrass leaves, using lemongrass essential oil can also provide the same benefits.
Relieve diarrhea
Diarrhea is not only annoying, but can also cause dehydration. Over-the-counter diarrhea medications can cause unpleasant side effects such as constipation, so natural remedies using lemongrass oil may be an option.
Helps regulate blood sugar and lipids
Lemongrass oil may help reduce blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, according to a 2007 study in mice. For the study, mice were treated with a daily oral dose of 125 to 500 milligrams of citronella oil for 42 days.
The results showed that lemongrass oil lowers blood sugar levels. It also alters lipid parameters while increasing levels of good HDL cholesterol.
Pain relief
The citral in lemongrass essential oil can help relieve pain by reducing inflammation. According to a 2017 study in people with rheumatoid arthritis, topical citronella oil reduced their arthritis pain. On average, pain levels decreased gradually from 80 to 50 percent within 30 days.
Helps with stress and anxiety
High blood pressure is a common side effect of stress. Many studies have shown that aromatherapy helps relieve stress and anxiety. Combining aromatherapy with massage can bring even greater benefits.
A 2015 study evaluated the effects of lemongrass and almond oil massage oils. Respondents who received massage using the oil once a week for 3 weeks had lower diastolic blood pressure than the control group. Systolic blood pressure and pulse rate were not affected.
Helps relieve headaches and migraines
According to researchers in Australia, Australian native lemongrass can relieve pain caused by headaches and migraines. Researchers believe that a compound in lemongrass called eugenol has properties similar to aspirin. Eugenol is thought to prevent blood platelets from clumping together. It also releases serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and cognitive function.
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