By Penelope A. Domogo, MD
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is also known as balaniw, tanglad, fever grass, Malabar grass. It seems to be introduced in the Cordillera as we didn’t have this in the past. It’s now a popular tea in Mountain Province. It has long been popular, though, in the rest of Southeast Asia especially as an ingredient in Thai cuisine. We can use it in soups, stir fries. It is a very tasty natural flavoring to sinigang or when you cook shells like lisdeg and ket-an or kutti (fresh-water shells). I like it also with curry and vegetables. In cooking, usually the stalks are used but in our local cuisine like sinigang, we use the whole plant.
Aside from flavoring our dishes, lemongrass also helps us heal and be well. It has a long history of medicinal use in many countries. It has a strong aroma so actually, I didn’t like the smell and taste at first meeting. I have grown to like it, though. Its strong aroma makes its essential oil very good for aromatherapy. It freshens the air, reduces stress and relieves anxiety and improves sleep. It is a folk remedy to relieve pain and boost immunity, thus prevent and help treat infection. It is also used to bring down fever and can lower cholesterol and promote digestion. Researches show that lemongrass is a diuretic so it could help lower high blood pressure and bloating due to premenstrual syndrome and have many other beneficial effects because of its cleansing effect. My friend Doc Sue says it is “a mild sambong.” It contains anti-oxidants like chlorogenic acid, isoorientin and swertiajaponin that scavenge free radicals in the body that may cause diseases like cancer. It contains anti-inflammatory compounds like citral and geranial. Inflammation is implicated as the culprit in a lot of diseases including heart disease and stroke and arthritis.
Fresh lemongrass stalks can be chewed to improve dental health, preventing mouth infections and tooth decay. Guys, how about chewing on lemongrass stalks instead of momma?
Like many medicinal herbs, lemon grass grows easily and so well in the tropics, all year round. Get a stalk with roots and plant directly on the ground or in pots. It’s a low maintenance plant. They don’t need a lot of soil or water. And they easily reproduce or regrow like green onions. You cut the leaves and soon new leaves will sprout. But it’s better to replant after some years.
With all its benefits and generosity, no wonder lemongrass plant is available all around. There are people who often drink lemongrass tea and it’s ok. If you experience stomach problems, with lemongrass tea, however, stop drinking it or limit your intake. Or just add lemongrass to your viand . It can be used fresh, dried or powdered. And there is lemongrass grass essential oil, naturally made. You can diffuse or rub this.
To make lemon grass tea, just boil the leaves for about 5 minutes. It’s better to take out the leaves after that otherwise, the tea gets very strong, but it’s a matter of choice. I like mine mild. You can also just pour boiling water over chopped stalks and/or leaves. Steep for 5 minutes and take out the stalks.
By the way, lemongrass is also an insect repellant, just like citronella, so don’t confuse the two. They look similar but citronella has reddish base stems while lemongrass has greenish base stems. And citronella has a stronger smell and taste. Although both can be used in cooking and healing, the main use of citronella is as an insect repellant, especially anti-mosquito.***
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“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all;” Psalm 104:24
