Lemongrass Information And Tips

Lemongrass (cymbopogon citratus), is an indispensable component in Thai, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese cooking. With its fragrant herbaceous and citrus notes it adds depth to soups, curries, stews and marinades alike.

Whole stalks can be used to add aromas and flavors to dishes, while chopped, pounded or ground leaves can be mixed into tea blends for soothing benefits that help alleviate headaches, reduce high blood pressure and soothe fevers.

What is lemongrass?

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) stalks are widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine to add lemony aroma and flavor. Lemongrass makes an excellent ingredient in fresh herbal tea blends; you can purchase fresh stalks, dried ones or powder forms of it.

Brewing lemongrass tea may provide additional health benefits in addition to flavor enhancement, such as aiding digestion, supporting immunity and relaxing muscles. Furthermore, its effects may even act as natural insect repellent.

Citral and geranial compounds found in lemongrass contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties, helping suppress pro-inflammatory chemicals released by your body. According to research published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, lemongrass tea consumption may also help lower systolic blood pressure as well as improve heart health by slowing your heart rate; additionally it may alleviate gastrointestinal distress as well as relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia, rheumatism and migraines; it may even promote metabolism for weight loss!

The origin of lemongrass

Lemongrass has long been used as both food and medicinal plant, traditionally making tea out of its leaves to treat stomachaches, flatulence, colic and other digestive ailments.

Belonging to both antifungal and anti-inflammatory families of compounds, this tea has also been found to reduce E. coli bacteria toxicity levels while killing off other microbes that cause infections.

Lemongrass essential oil has been shown to have a relaxing and rejuvenating effect on pitta dosha, helping reduce excess kapha energy through sweating and detoxification. When added to massage oil, its soothing effects strengthen muscles and nerves.

Lemongrass plants grow in dense clumps of stiff and tall stalks. Ideal for sunny locations outdoors or protected window sills indoors. Lemongrass requires only moderate nutrition but will respond negatively if suddenly increased levels occur; so be sure to provide sufficient soil or compost when cultivating this perennial species.

Is lemongrass an herb?

Lemongrass plants offer many health advantages. As an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial herb, it can reduce inflammation. Furthermore, its oil has larvicidal activity to protect against mosquito-borne diseases that have become an increasing problem globally. Furthermore, this plant is said to help relieve stomachaches, digestive issues, fevers and inflammation symptoms.

Lemongrass water extract has been shown to have sedative and antianxiety effects, while also decreasing blood pressure in animals, likely due to its central nervous system-depressant activity and ability to lower stress responses.

Additionally, CBD may help ease anxiety by suppressing acetylcholinesterase enzyme. This enzyme breaks down acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter involved in nervous system function and muscle movement; keeping more of this neurotransmitter within your brain could reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Finally, studies have also demonstrated its antimicrobial benefits by blocking growth of bacteria that cause infection such as thrush.

Hardiness

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tender perennial (Zones 9-11)

Appearance Of Lemongrass

Lemongrass, botanically known as Cymbopogon, is a tall perennial grass found across Asia, Australia, and Africa. At Teatulia’s USDA-certified organic tea garden located near India’s northern border at the base of Himalayan mountains we harvest lemongrass native to this region.

This plant boasts an intense citrus fragrance and flavor, with its oils used as flavoring agents. Similar in aroma to ginger but offering additional notes such as bright floral and cooling mint notes.

Lemongrass can be used as an insect repellent and research has revealed its antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects have also been proven to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels while aiding weight loss3.3

How to use lemongrass

Lemongrass adds an aromatic citrusy-floral-herbal note to dishes such as soups, curries, grilled meat and other forms of cooking requiring floral flavors – such as Thai cuisine. Lemongrass also plays an integral part in Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian cuisine.

When purchasing fresh lemongrass, look for stalks that are fragrant and firm. Their lower end should have a lemony-green hue near the bulb before becoming fully green as they travel up the stalk. When shopping, avoid any stalks which have become limp, bruised, or covered in brown rust stains.

Lemongrass can be found at most Asian food and grocery stores, as well as large markets with an expansive produce section. If fresh isn’t your preference, many supermarkets sell precut and dried varieties that can be kept stored tightly wrapped in the refrigerator or frozen (either whole or ground down to paste form). Lemongrass lasts six months when stored properly frozen if stored whole in its entirety or ground into paste form for storage purposes.

Substitute for lemongrass

Substitute zest from 1 lemon for 2 stalks of lemon grass
OR for 1 lemon grass stalk use 1 teaspoon lemon balm
OR 2 lemon verbena leaves

Equivalents

2 stalks lemon grass = 1 tablespoon finely chopped
1 stalk trimmed = 1 teaspoon powdered lemon grass (sereh powder)

Tips for Growing

Lemongrass thrives in warm environments and should be considered perennial. If you live in colder regions, containers could be grown and brought inside during the winter.

As with other tropical plants, lemongrass requires warmth and moisture for its best growth. “Ideally it should be planted in rich, fertile soil with good drainage,” advises Nesvacil. A layer of organic mulch helps retain soil moisture levels while suppressing weeds.

Plant seeds in cell packs or flats and lightly cover them with compost to enhance germination. Water them regularly until they reach at least 6 inches in height before transplanting outside in direct sunlight.

Harvest lemongrass when it is firm and fresh with thick white bases. Use tender inner stalks in soups, stews and tea; discard or freeze the dry outer ones. Lemongrass has been long recognized for its antibacterial, antifungal, and microbial properties that make it ideal for treating garden fungus as well as protecting other crops against disease or insects that might otherwise plague them.

Overwintering Indoors

Frost hardy perennials may be left outside all winter, while semitropicals and tender perennials must be protected from the cold weather and snowfall. This is especially important when transplanting new transplants or those not yet established into their natural environments. Overwintering them indoors is a simple yet effective solution that ensures spring arrives as planned.

Step one of overwintering plants involves selecting an ideal location. An unheated garage or three-season porch are often suitable; as long as their temperatures do not fluctuate significantly. Kitchens or bathrooms with higher humidity levels may also work well.

Lemongrass thrives beautifully in Teatulia’s USDA-certified organic tea garden in Northern Bangladesh, bordering India and nestled against the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. Our harvest of Cymbopogon citratus for our invigorating lemongrass herbal infusion satisfies Mintel research which suggests customers shop with their senses; our upbeat lemongrass flavors and aromas provide the perfect experience, sensation or craving!

Storing

When purchasing fresh lemongrass, look for stalks with vibrant green colors that feature round bulbs that have bright fragrances. Avoid specimens that appear wilted or brown-looking; these could indicate that their time has come. Lemongrass can be found year-round at Asian markets and specialty food stores as well as some major supermarket chains’ chiller produce aisles.

After purchasing or harvesting lemongrass, handle it gently in order to prevent bruising and deterioration. For quick preservation purposes, flash freezing can quickly preserve lemongrass: simply put trimmed and washed lemongrass bundles in the freezer for around 30 minutes, before placing them into airtight containers or bags for long-term storage with labels and dates for each container or bag indicating how long their storage duration lasts.

Refrigerating lemongrass requires creating an humid environment to help preserve its freshness for at least one to two weeks. By covering its container or bag with plastic wrap, humidity levels will help the stalks remain hydrated and remain fresh and moist throughout storage.