Lemongrass is fragrant and has many benefits, but who should not use it?

Lemongrass is a herbaceous plant with a lemony scent. In folk medicine, lemongrass is used to aid digestion, reduce fever and headaches, relieve insect bites, and lower blood pressure.

Lemongrass can also help control conditions like arthritis, dandruff and gingivitis.

May help treat dandruff

Some studies show that using shampoos or hair products containing lemongrass can significantly improve dandruff.

May support oral health

Using a mouthwash containing 0.25% lemongrass essential oil can improve mild periodontitis (gum disease), thereby helping to protect cardiovascular health.

Lemongrass essential oil may be a good alternative to mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine, which can cause unwanted side effects.

However, more research is needed on the long-term use of lemongrass essential oil in oral care to confirm its benefits and safety.

May help relieve pain from arthritis

Preliminary research in adults with rheumatoid arthritis shows that applying pure lemongrass essential oil to the skin daily for 30 days reduces pain by up to 30%.

May help fight fungal infections

Lemongrass essential oil has been shown to disrupt the biofilm of Candida albicans (a yeast in the human body that can overgrow and cause infections).

Biofilms are sticky protective layers that surround bacteria and fungi, making them difficult to kill. By breaking down these protective layers, lemongrass essential oil can make fungal infections easier to treat.

Nutritional value of lemongrass

A serving of lemongrass (depending on usage needs, if used as a spice, a serving is 1-2 fresh lemongrass stalks, in traditional medicine it can be 30-50g fresh lemongrass) provides nutritional values:

Calories: 66.3

Protein: 1.22g

Fat: 0.33g

Sodium: 4.02mg

Iron: 5.47mg

Zinc: 1.49mg

Folate: 50.2mcg

Magnesium: 40.2mg

Potassium: 484mg

Is it safe to use lemongrass?

Lemongrass is generally considered safe to use in cooking, but eating too much can cause some unwanted side effects such as:

Dizziness; Dry mouth; Excessive tiredness; Frequent urination; Increased appetite; Itching and rash (if allergic).

Pregnant women should not consume lemongrass, as it can be stimulating and may lead to miscarriage.

If you have kidney disease, consult your doctor before using lemongrass. For example, drinking lemongrass tea can increase urine output, which can put pressure on the kidneys. Additionally, lemongrass is high in potassium, which should be limited in people with kidney problems.

NGUYET DUC

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cay-sa-thom-va-co-nhieu-loi-ich-nhung-ai-khong-nen-dung-20250802213733694.htm