LEMONGRASS

-

Image result for LEMON GRASS

Scientific name: Cymbopogon citratus

 Malay name: Serai

Facts: 

• Lemongrass is a tufted perennial grass growing to a height 1 meter with numerous stiff leafy stems arising from short rhizomatous roots. 
• Has an economic lifespan about 5 years.
• The leaf-sheath is tubular in shape and acts as a pseudostem.
• The plant produces flowers at matured stages of growth.
• Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties.


General uses:

1. Lemongrass is a folk remedy for coughs, elephantiasis, flu, gingivitis, headache, leprosy, malaria, ophthalmic, pneumonia and vascular disorder.


2. As therapy for menstrual troubles and nausea when mixed with pepper.



3. A good cleanser which helps detoxifying liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and digestive tract.


4. Help improves skin by reducing acne and pimples.


5. Act as muscle and tissue toner.



6. Reduce blood pressure.



7. Help prevent cancer.



8. The aromatic leaves of lemongrass are commonly used for tea and other beverages.


9. The dried leaves are widely used as a lemon flavour ingredient in herbal teas.


10. Used as a flavouring ingredient in several products such as soaps, perfume, candle, mosquito and other insect repellents.



11. Lemongrass oleoresin is mainly used in flavouring foods, drinks and bakery preparations.

Pharmacological activities:


• Anti-microbial activity
The ethanolic extracts of the leaves (Flavonoids and Tannins) showed potential antibacterial property against Staphylococcus aureus. 

 • Anti-fungal activity
Lemongrass oil and citral have a potent in vitro against Candida spp. where Candida albicans is an important pathogen of human infections.

 • Anti-oxidant activity
Phenolic acid and flavonoids in lemongrass act as natural anti-oxidants and free radical scavenger.

 • Anti-inflammatory activity
Anti-inflammatory activity of Cymbopogon citratus leaf infusion in lip polysaccharide-stimulated dendritic cells used for inflammatory diseases, in particular of the gastrointestinal tract.

 • Anti-hepatotoxic activity
The aqueous leas extracts of lemongrass showed anti-hepatotoxic action against cisplatin induced hepatic toxicity in rats.

For more information, you can visit this link :

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

POKOK BUNGA MELUR

-
Image
Scientific name:  Gardenia jasminoides  J.Ellis Malay name: Melur Facts: G. jasminoides  is indigenous in southern China, Japan, the Ryukyu Islands, and Taiwan, possibly also locally in Sri Lanka. It is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, and sometimes naturalised. In Southeast Asia, it is commonly planted in gardens. G. jasminoides  is originally a species from temperate climates. In tropical areas, it grows well at altitudes of 400-1200 m. In the tropical lowlands, it flowers poorly or not at all. It thrives best on properly drained, but not too dry soils with pH 6-7, and it prefers sunny places. G. jasminoides  fruit was found to contain iridoid glucoside (e.g. gardoside and scandoside methyl ester), and caratenoids (e.g. crocetin and crocin). Traditional Use: G. jasminoides  is believed to be bitter and cold in character and has been used to disperse heat, purges fire, cools the blood, and removes toxins. The w...
Read more

HOLY BASIL/TULSI

-
Image
Holy Basil/ Tulsi Malay name: Tulasi Scientific name: Ocimum tenuiflorum •  It is originally from India but now grows in Australia, West Africa, and some Middle Eastern countries. •  It is used in Ayurvedic medicine as an "adaptogen" to counter life's stresses. •  It is considered a sacred plant by the Hindus and is often planted around Hindu shrines •  T he Hindu name for holy basil, Tulsi, means "the incomparable one." General uses: 1. Reduces anxiety and associated stress and depression in people with anxiety. 2. Reduces plaque and gingivitis. 3. Decrease blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. 4. Help with weight loss or control of blood sugar or cholesterol. 5. Taking holy basil extract by mouth in the morning and at night decreases symptoms of          stress, including forgetfulness, sexual problems, exhaustion, and sleep problems.   Side effects: Pregnancy ...
Read more

ROSELLE

-
Image
      Scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa Facts:  • Belongs to the family of Malvaceae which is originated from West Africa • Widely cultivated in Tropical Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Chad, India, Indonesia, Phillippines, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Hawai and Florida USA.  • Habitat of the herb is disturbed ground. DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS: a) The root is edible but very fibrous b)  Roselle seeds can be roasted and ground into a powder then used in oily soups and sauces and have been used as a coffee substitute that is said to have aphrodisiac properties. c) The young leaves and tender stems are consumed raw as a green vegetable or cooked. Used in salads, as a potherb and as a seasoning in curries, they have an acid, rhubarb-like flavour. d) Fleshy red calyxes of Roselle are commonly used for the production of soft drinks and tonic without alcohol like wine, juice, jam, jelly, s...
Read more