Origin Of Lemon Grass
Lemongrass with the botanical name Cymbopogon flexuosus is a native aromatic tall sedge that grows in many parts of tropical and subtropical South East Asia and Africa. Lemongrass is a perennial and herbaceous plant with a stout, erect culm up to 1.8 meters high.
Leaves are long, glaucous, green, linear, narrowing at one end upwards and along the margins; ligule very short, the barren shoots widened and tightly clasped at the base, others narrow and separating. It is a short day plant and produces profuse flowering in south India.
Lemongrass is very common to Asians because they use it as a seasoning in most of their cuisines. Lemongrass tea has been considered a home remedy to certain ailments because of its high antioxidant and aromatic qualities.
Nutritional Composition
Lemongrass has a lot of nutritional value, making it good for medicinal purposes. The content of a 100g of lemongrass is listed below:
- Calories 99
- Total Fat 0.5g
- Saturated Fat 0.1g
- Sodium 6mg
- Total Carbohydrate 25g
- Protein 1.8g
- Calcium 65.00mg
- Iron 8.17mg
- Potassium 723mg
Preferred Botanical Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus
Preferred Common Name: Lemon Grass
Medicinal Properties And Uses Of Lemongrass
They have been found to be very useful for its numerous medicinal benefits. It has proven to be helpful in the management of various ailments. Listed below are some of the multiple benefits of lemongrass:
- It has antioxidant properties, which can help scavenge free radicals in your body that may cause disease.
- It has antimicrobial properties that may help treat oral infections and cavities.
- It has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- It helps to reduce the risk of cancer. Oncologists supervise the use of lemongrass as adjuvant therapy during chemotherapy and radiation.
- It may help promote healthy digestion.
- It may act as a diuretic; a diuretic aids in frequent urination, implying that your body gets rid of excess fluid and sodium.
- It may help regulate your cholesterol. High cholesterol may increase your risk of heart attack or stroke.
- It may help you lose weight.
- It may help relieve symptoms of painful menstruation. Lemongrass tea is a natural remedy for menstrual cramps, bloating, and hot flashes.
How To Grow Lemongrass
Growing lemongrass requires adequate and accurate information. Below is a detailed explanation of how to grow lemongrass.
Yield Information
The maturity of lemongrass from harvest may take about 100 days and sometimes four to eight months. Lemongrass can be grown indoors in a pot. It produces lots of long leaves per stand when grown in its favorite condition. There are two main lemongrass varieties: East Indian and West Indian.
East Indian varieties have thinner stocks and deeper red stalks, while West Indian varieties have thicker, greener stocks and are mostly used in culinary. They are grown under the same condition with slight differences.
Soil And Sun Requirements Of Lemon Grass
Plant lemongrass in wet, fertile soil. Avoid soil with heavy clay; instead, plant on loose and well-drained soil. Add lots of mature compost before planting. Soil pH between 5.0 to 8.0 is the most suitable. Lemongrass requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Before planting, mix the soil with several inches of aged compost or other rich organic matter. The plants will grow slower in a 3-5 hours supply of light. For best growth, the soil should be rich in nitrogen. Be careful if you are planting lemongrass with other plants because many plants don’t do well with that much nitrogen.
Ensure that the top inch of the plant does not become dry; if it does, you moist it.
Nursery And Transplant Requirements Of Lemongrass
The best way to start a lemongrass plant is from root cuttings from well-established stalks. The cuttings should be strong, firm, and green. Immerse the bottom of the plant one inch in a glass of water and dry them. Transplant to the soil once the roots are one to two inches long, which may occur in 4 weeks.
Plant transplant in soil rich in organic manure or compost. Space them 3 feet apart and bear in mind that they can grow 6 feet tall; you can also trim them to a shorter height.
Watering Requirements Of Lemongrass
Water lemongrass frequently. It’s hard to overwater a lemongrass plant, it is used to constant moisture, but it will not tolerate dried-out roots. The fastest way to kill your plant is by leaving it dry. In dry areas, mist the leaves with a spray bottle consistently.
Planting And Spacing Requirements Of Lemongrass
Plant lemongrass in a large pot or the field with a spacing of 12 inches; this allows the plant to be able to spread and grow tall and wide without obstruction
Harvesting Of Lemongrass
The bulbous stem is the part of the plant that is harvested. It has a rich lemon flavor, and clip leaves for soaked tea and soup stock. Start harvesting as soon as plants are 12 inches tall, and stem bases are at least ½-inch thick. You can hand-pull the entire stalk or cut at ground level.
The portion of lemongrass that is edible is near the base of the stalk. The grassy top part of the plant is razor-like (sharp); you must be careful while cutting it. You can bundle leaves into a pot of liquid into a teapot or stock pot to infuse lemon flavor into the brew.
Storage And Preservation
Fresh lemongrass can be stored in plastic in the refrigerator for a week or frozen for six months. If you want your home-grown supply of lemongrass, you can propagate the fresh stalks or keep them for the new planting season.
Disease And Pest
Rust
Fungi cause this, and its symptoms include:
- Light yellow spots on foliage.
- Brown elongated streaks on leaves.
- Death of leaves and plants.
It is spread by wind, rain, and water splash and can be managed culturally by promoting vigorous growth of plants by using mulches to stimulate growth. Prune out disease affected parts to allow for healthy regrowth, and avoid overhead irrigation as much as possible
Conclusion
Lemongrass is renowned for its unmistakable taste and uplifting scent, but its benefits go far beyond just flavor. Packed with valuable antioxidants, it aids in the body’s natural detoxification process and has been linked to promoting clear, radiant skin and bolstering the immune system. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties have the potential to provide relief from discomfort and possibly even reduce the risk of long-term health issues. Additionally, its abundant citronella content may serve as an all-natural defense against pesky insects.
Lemongrass has been shown to have a positive impact on digestion, as it can help alleviate indigestion and bloating. Its powerful properties also make it effective against infections, thanks to its antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities. Many people turn to lemongrass tea for its soothing effects, which can help reduce stress and promote better sleep.
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