Lemongrass leaves: properties, rules for harvesting and use

Lemongrass leaves are widely used in both official and traditional medicine.They have a pleasant citrus aroma and contain beneficial vitamins and trace elements that have a beneficial effect on the human body. Despite the benefits, this plant can be harmful to health, so before using them you need to familiarize yourself with all the contraindications.

Lemongrass Chinese belongs to the family of lemongrass and literally translates from Chinese as "berry of five tastes." The plant is very tall and in some cases may exceed 12 meters in height. It has a wrinkled and branching stalk, on which are multiple lentils. Depending on the age, the stem may be presented in yellow or brown color. On the lemongrass grow green leaves of elliptical shape, pointed upward.

Petioles have a reddish-pink tint and grow up to 2.5 centimeters in length. During flowering, the plant is decorated with white flowers that have a pleasant aroma.

The end of flowering leads to the formation of polygons in place of flowers, which include about 23 fruits of red color of spherical shape. They have a specific taste, different sour or bitter aftertaste. In some cases, the fruits get a bitter taste. Lemongrass grows in mountainous areas. It is found in mixed forests near rivers and streams.

Artificially the plant is grown in garden plots, which facilitates the process of collecting leaves. They begin to collect in early September, because at this time they reach full maturity. The leaves are harvested with a sharp knife, and the harvest is folded into enameled containers. In addition to the leaves, the bark and fruit tassels are cut from the creepers, which also have healing properties.

The main benefit of the leaves of lemongrass is the content of organic compounds in them, called lignans. Due to their biological activity, all cells in the human body become resistant to the damaging effects of free radicals, which allows them to preserve the youth of tissues for a long time. Chinese lemongrass is known for its content of malic, citric and tartaric acid, which allows you to cleanse the body of toxic substances and strengthen the immune system.

In addition, these acids contribute to the expansion of the walls of blood vessels and toning of the heart muscle. The fruits of the plant contain vitamins C and E, which are necessary for the formation of collagen and protect cells from oxidative damage. This combination allows you to accelerate the healing of wounds and restore damaged bones and cartilage.

Due to the presence of trace elements in all parts of the plant, such as zinc, iron, copper, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur, their use allows us to improve brain activity. Influencing the nerve endings, these microelements stimulate the cardiovascular system and stimulate respiration. Lemongrass seeds also have useful properties. They contain fatty oils, anthocyanins, as well as tannins and resinous substances that help fight some diseases of the respiratory systems and the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, their use can cure the liver and kidneys. This perennial liana is able to normalize hormones and restore stable work within the secretion glands of the ovaries, adrenal glands and thyroid gland. Due to this, it is often used by women to reduce the unpleasant symptoms of the premenstrual period, as well as the effects of menopause.

Chinese lemongrass has many contraindications, so before using it, you should consult with your doctor. This is because the plant is a powerful natural stimulant, so it can cause nervous and cardiovascular overstimulation.The use of this plant is strictly contraindicated for people suffering from severe infectious diseases, protracted liver diseases, epilepsy, and a stomach ulcer. Do not resort to treatment with lemongrass pregnant and lactating women. To prevent the formation of allergic reactions, headaches and sleep disorders, parts of this perennial vine are contraindicated for children under 14 years of age.

Adverse reactions that can be encountered when consuming lemongrass leaves are as follows:

• general weakness;
• allergy;
• heart palpitations;
• sudden pressure surge;
• headache;
• trouble sleeping

Harvesting of lemongrass leaves includes two main stages.

• Fermentation allows you to fully preserve the aroma of tea. This process involves pre-washing and drying the leaves, after which they must be withered. Thus, it is possible to obtain raw materials, ready for further fermentation. All leaves are pounded in the palms and rolled into a tube to destroy the structure and release moisture and ether. The resulting tubes must be folded in a glass or enamel bowl and begin to knead before extracting the juice. After that, the dishes should be covered with a linen cloth and put them in a warm, dry room for 8-12 hours. After the time, the leaves will begin to emit a sharp lemon flavor, which indicates the end of the fermentation process.

• Drying means long storage of raw materials. It is a division of twisted leaves into several parts with a thickness of 0.5 cm. After that, they are laid out on a baking sheet covered with foil and dried in an oven at +100 degrees for 80–90 minutes, stirring occasionally. After a time, the temperature in the oven decreases to +50 degrees. As soon as the raw material begins to break, it is taken out, cooled and poured into a linen bag for further drying. Drying should take place outdoors for several days. The resulting brew is best placed in an airtight container made of ceramic or dark glass.

In folk medicine, lemongrass is used to treat various diseases. It is advisable to take a healing drink in the morning, as it may cause sleep disturbance. After drinking a drink for breakfast, you can recharge your batteries and increase your efficiency. Brewing lemongrass leaves is very easy by following these steps:

1. it is necessary to take a teapot and pour 50 g of tea leaves into it;
2. then you need to fill the contents with boiling water, close the container with a lid and leave the drink to infuse for 25 minutes;
3. The resulting tea is consumed in a cooled form no more than 200 ml at a time.

With the help of fresh ginger and lemongrass, viral and bacterial respiratory diseases can be cured. To make a drink, you need to take a liter pot and pour 10 leaves and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger into it. Pouring the contents of 350 ml of hot water, boil the drink for 20 minutes. After this, the broth is cooled, filtered and cleaned to be stored in the refrigerator. Drink the drink you need three times a day, 50 ml for 1 time.

Using this plant allows you to eliminate the harmful cholesterol from the body, which clogs the veins and arteries.In addition, it can be used to increase the level of triglycerides that contribute to the improvement of cardiac activity. Drink from the leaves of lemongrass is recommended to use as a preventive measure. With it, you can enhance the immunity of a person and make it more resistant to the negative effects of viruses and bacteria. Begin drinking should be gradual, starting with a few sips. This is necessary for the timely detection of an allergic reaction. If after two days a person does not notice any negative changes, then you can increase the consumption of decoction to 300 ml per day.

It is possible to heal with the help of lemongrass leaves for a month, after which you must take a break. Drink a drink preferably after a meal. You can notice the benefits of tea after half an hour after use. According to consumer reviews, increased performance and brain activity after the drink lasts for several hours.

For information on how to make tea from the leaves of lemongrass, see the next video.