Gourav Sabharwal
Lemongrass commonly known as “East Indian Lemongrass” is a perennial and multicut aromatic grass. The prefix ‘lemon’ owes to its typical lemon like odour, which is mainly due to the presence of citral, a cyclic monoterpene.
Lemongrass is the source of Lemongrass oil, a good source of natural citral. Lemongrass oil is used as a main substitute for ‘Cod liver oil’. Citral itself is used in perfumery for various grades of soaps, detergents, cosmetics and flavour agent for soft drinks. Consumption of Lemongrass in Ayurvedic preparation like Balm is also increasing. The present domestic requirement is about 150 MT/year and about 70 MT is exported every year. The total world production is estimated to 1300 MT/year. The crop provides maximum herb yield from second and third year after planting and thereafter declines. The leaves yield essential oil on steam distillation containing 70-90% citral.
Lemongrass might help prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast. Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain and swelling, reduce fever, improve levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow, and have antioxidant properties.Many people believe that lemongrass tea offers multiple health benefits, but researchers have not yet conducted enough large-scale studies to prove these benefits.
Doctors do know that the tea can help fight against free radicals, thus reducing the incidence of inflammation in the body. Lemongrass contains the inflammation-fighting compounds chlorogenic acid, isoorientin, and swertiajaponin. Inflammation is a factor in many adverse health conditions, including pain and heart disease. As such, lemongrass tea could be a beneficial drink for people to incorporate into their diet.
Lemongrass can be grown throughout the year and in every region. It gets easily propogated.
Cultivation in Pot
Plant each lemongrass stalk, one to a container, in good-quality potting soil with its roots about one inch beneath the soil surface. Lemongrass grows best in well-drained, nutrient rich soil with light to moderate watering. Avoid allowing water to pool around the plant.
A balanced fertiliser, such as a 15-15-15 15 mix, provides a weekly nitrogen boost to lemongrass in the summer. When transplanting, you can also adjust the soil by adding a little fertiliser or a soil supplement to the planting hole. If you wish to use your lemongrass for cooking, be cautious about the types of plant food or fertilisers you feed it; organic fertilisers can assist.
Benefits
Lemongrass is known to prevent growth of certain yeast and bacteria. Substances contained in it can be beneficial for reducing fever and relieving pain. Antioxidants contained in it offer plenty of health benefits for kids.Lemongrass oil can be extracted, and it’s been used by healthcare providers to treat digestive problems and high blood pressure. It has many other potential health benefits, too. In fact, lemongrass essential oil is a popular tool in aromatherapy to help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
Lemongrass can be used in various ways
As ingredient in vegetable
In garnishing of salad
As herbal tea
In form of essential oil
As fragnance in deodorant, soaps, cosmetics
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