Lemongrass is a perennial plant that grows uniquely, numerous stiff stems arise from a short rhizome. Dried, powdered or fresh Lemongrass is used in as flavoring agent. The attractive citrus flavor of this plant enhances the taste and flavor in teas, soups, and curries. Lemongrass is the most essential ingredient in seafood preparations. [1]
Algeria cultivates lemongrass for medicinal and aromatic use purposes. The essential oil present in Lemongrass is very widely accepted all over the globe. Asia, South America, and Africa are some other countries where lemongrass is widely cultivated. The commercial application of lemongrass essential oil is significant in flavors, fragrances, perfumery, detergents, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. [2]
The phytochemical constituents of Lemongrass vary depending upon the geographical origin. Hydrocarbon terpenes, aldehydes, ketones, esters, and alcohols are mainly present in lemongrass. Citral alpha and citral beta are the main components of lemongrass essential oil. Other phytochemical compositions of lemongrass essential oil include nerol, geraniol, citronellal, terpinolene, terpinol, borneol, myrcene, methylheptenone, linalool, limonene, geranyl acetate, etc.
Different flavonoids such as apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, and phenolic compounds like catechol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, elemicin, and hydroquinone are present in lemongrass. [1]
α-citral (geranial) and β-citral composition of lemongrass oil have a broad antibacterial effect on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Lemongrass oil has potent antioxidant property. It scavenges free radicals like superoxide anion and also inhibits xanthine oxidase enzyme action, restricts lipid peroxidation level in blood tissue, and inhibits decolorization of 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). [1] Tannin and flavonoid composition of lemongrass oil also have strong anti-oxidant property. [3]Lemongrass can counter regulate cortisol, catecholamine, and glucagon functionality to reduce blood glucose levels. Lemongrass oil can enhance insulin synthesis and increase the utilization of peripheral glucose. Flavonoids and alkaloids content of Lemongrass has anti-hypertensive property. Lemongrass has central-type benzodiazepine receptors known as endozepine octadecaneuropeptide (ODN), which inhibit food craving to prevent obesity. [3] Lemongrass extract follows a GABA-ergic system signaling behavior and provide an anxiolytic effect.
Essential oils present in the extract has antinociceptive property as it activates the opioid receptor.
Different herbal medicine manufacturing companies manufacture lemongrass oil, which is available in the herbal medicinal shops. Lemongrass formulations have multiple indications, including
Lemongrass vaporizer is used to treat colds, flu, and bacterial attack.
Lemongrass oil aromatherapy: Freshening, uplifting mood, alleviate headache, muscle cramps, menstrual problem. [1]
2% lemongrass essential oil gel: This can be used as an adjunct to mechanical nonsurgical periodontal therapy. [4]
Lemongrass oil-loaded nanocapsules: can prevent inflammatory disease conditions, infection, protect from cancer due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiproliferative actions. [5]
Infection control
Lemongrass has antimicrobial property. It inhibits the growth of certain bacteria, such as B. subtilis, E. coli, S. aureus and S. paratyphi and S. flexneri due to their antibacterial property. Not only bacteria, but Lemongrass oil is active against fungal infections also. Skin infections due to fungal attack like keratinophilic fungi, ringworm fungi can be treated with lemongrass oil. Other fungal infections caused by E. floccosum, M. gypseum, T. mentagrophytes, and T. rubrum lead to dermatophytes. Lemongrass oil is effective to treat dermatophytes by inhibiting fungal infections. [1]
Plasmodium berghei is one of the causative organism of malaria. Lemongrass oil is effective to inhibit 86% of the growth of this organism. Fresh leaves of Lemongrass active against filaria growth. [1]
The broad anti-microbial property of lemongrass oil is effective against Entamoeba histolytica and control amebic dysentery symptoms. The stalk of lemongrass extract can control loose motion occurs due to diarrhea. [1]
Diabetes and cholesterol-lowering effect
Lemongrass is good herbal medicine for diabetic patient as it helps to reduce fasting blood glucose level. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and often associated with the hyperlipidemic condition. Fresh lemongrass extract can reduce cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL level in blood. This helps to reduce the associated complications. [1]
Sleep inducing agent
Lemongrass oil has a sedative effect. This oil is to increase sleeping time and effective toprovide a relaxing effect and reduce the anxiety level. [1]
Anti-convulsion
Lemongrass oil improves neurobehavioral activity and elevates seizure threshold. This herbal ingredient restricts the spreading of seizure. The lemongrass oil is an effective treatment for controlling clonic and tonic seizure by delaying the clonic attack and blocking the tonic extension.
Insecticide
The essential oil collected from the fresh leaf can kill the insect at their early stage of life due to its larvicidal activity. [1]
Liver cancer protection
Antimutagenic activity of Lemongrass oil has an inhibitory effect on hepatocarcinogenesis.
Lemongrass within the recommended dose is relatively safe in both oral and topical application. Inhalation for short term aromatherapy does not cause any significant side effect. But in rare cases, external application of Lemongrass oil can cause skin irritation. Breathing difficulty, lung toxicity are common conditions in case of children swallowed lemongrass oil containing insect repellant. [6]
This post was last modified on December 18, 2020 11:26 am
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