Lemongrass has long been used in folk medicine, since it has a lot of benefits of lemongrass. This tropical plant is processed into various forms ranging from drinkable teas to oils that can soothe the body. Lemongrass is known for its benefits as a solution to painkillers, stomach problems, and its antibacterial properties.
One of the most common forms of processed lemongrass is oil. Lemongrass oil is the result of lemongrass’s leaves and stem extraction, and it has a quite strong citrus scent that people use as aromatherapy.
Lemongrass oil is very popular for topical use. The essential content in lemongrass oil is believed to be able to overcome pain, digestion, and headaches. This oil is also a popular ingredient in aromatherapy, and people often have the benefits of lemongrass for insomnia.
The oil can be applied directly on the body or moistened. However, lemongrass oil should only be used for external use, should not be consumed since it’s pretty dangerous.
This is because lemongrass oil has a toxic effect and additionally, some people may experience irritation when applying lemongrass essential oil to the skin.
Also, you should do a test to the skin first before applying lemongrass oil. Do not use it around the eye areas or in other sensitive areas of your body, such as the genitals.
Here are the benefits of lemongrass oil that are useful for your life:
1. Natural antibacterial and antifungal
Everyone is at risk of skin diseases. Even people who diligently bathe and regularly use skincare. Because each skin disease has different causes. Many things can cause the appearance of skin diseases.
Broadly speaking, the causes of skin diseases can be distinguished by the type of disease, namely infectious skin diseases and non-communicable skin diseases.
Fungal infections usually attack moist parts of the skin such as the legs and armpits. Because, mushrooms are very easy to breed in a warm and humid environment. Athletes are among those who are quite susceptible to fungal infections.
Because, clothes that are wet and damp due to sweating become a favorite home for mushrooms to breed. Moreover, if added wounds on the skin that make the fungus can enter the deeper layers of the skin
Fortunately, one of the health benefits of lemongrass is to treat this problem. The result of lemongrass oil effectiveness was found in a research held in 2010 ago when they found that the oil provided actual resistant to drug-resistant bacteria.
Lemongrass oil is effectively used to overcome oral infections caused by bacteria. Lemongrass oil is also effective at preventing the growth of fungi such as ringworm and water fleas.
2. Treats skin inflammation
Psoriasis or inflammation of the skin usually grows in the knee area, elbows, lower back, and scalp. But in some special cases psoriasis develops in the nails, mouth, and in the area around the genitals. This inflammation can occur to anyone and is classified as a non-communicable disease.
These characteristics are actually the process of accelerated skin production. This overproduction leads to the accumulation of skin cells and can occur within a period of several days to a month, depending on a person’s physical condition.
Lemongrass oil is studied to overcome inflammation of the skin. A 2014 study showed lemongrass essential oil had a strong anti-inflammatory effect in mice with fungal infections.
If not wisely treated, this inflammation problem could end into a chronic disease that can be a source for many fatal skin problems like cardiovascular, arthritis, and skin cancer.. Lemongrass contains citral, an anti-inflammatory compound.
3. Anti dandruff remedy
The next one on the benefits of lemongrass essential oil is helping to overcome dandruff. Based on a study held five years ago, lemongrass oil was proven to be effective to fight dandruff.
In the study, study participants used hair tonics containing lemongrass essential oil for about 14 days in a row, with twice a day usage.
At the end of the study, the amount of dandruff appeared to decrease drastically after the hair was applied lemongrass essential oil. That’s why, using lemongrass oil as a natural hair tonic is always recommended.
4. Treats joint and veins-related health problems
Citral in lemongrass essential oil can help relieve pain because it reduces inflammation. According to a 2017 study in people with rheumatoid arthritis, topical lemongrass oil relieves the pain of arthritis. On average, pain levels decreased from 80 to 50 percent in 30 days.
Although research is limited, theoretical data suggests that essential oils such as lemongrass can improve circulation and reduce swelling. This can help alleviate conditions such as varicose veins.
What you can do is to use the warm water mixture consisting of five lemongrass oil drops, then apply it to a cloth for compressing. Apply on the affected skin for about fifteen minutes, and do this pretty regularly to achieve maximum results.
5. As aromatherapy to relieve anxiety
There is limited evidence to suggest that the benefits of lemongrass oil used in aromatherapy can reduce anxiety, as previously stated in the benefits of lemongrass tea.
The study was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine which showed that smelling aromatherapy lemongrass oil in the slightest can reduce anxiety.
Participants in the study were divided into groups, some inhaled lemongrass oil (three or six drops) some inhaled tea tree oil (three drops).
As soon as it was inhaled, the study participants were tested again. As a result, participants who inhaled lemongrass oil experienced lower levels of anxiety and tension than participants who inhaled tea tree oil.