Thursday Mar 28, 2024

LEMONGRASS OIL CAN HELP TO INCREASE BREAST MILK PRODUCTION FOR MOTHERS

This essential oil is extracted from dry lemongrass by the process of steam distillation.  It has many constituents that make it beneficial as an analgesic, febrifuge, antiseptic, nervine, antipyretic, bactericidal, deodorant, fungicidal, sedative, antimicrobial and tonic substance.  It is also used as an insecticidal agent. The main constituents of lemongrass essential oil are Myrcene, Citronellal, Geranyl Acetate, Nerol, Geraniol, Neral, Limonene and Citral.

Lemongrass has been used for ages by different cultures. It was normally used to help with digestive problems, circulatory issues, behavioural problems, headaches, immune system problems and  nervous system issues. It was also used to fight infections and menstrual irregularities. It has been used to bring down high fevers. This is especially effective when lemongrass essential oil is used in addition to black pepper. The lemongrass oil is also able to combat the infections that cause fever and increase sweating, bringing about the removal of toxins from the body

It is also used as a flavouring agent in place of fresh lemon in teas, desserts and other culinary creations because of its great lemony flavour.

As the name suggests, lemongrass has a lemon-like smell, it is however milder and sweeter and not as sour. Its smell also has a hint of rose to it. Lemongrass grows quickly like all other grasses, hence its oil is readily available and at good prices.  Lemongrass essential oil is a widely used product by people in countries all across the world.

Lemongrass is native to areas in India, the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietname, China, Guatemala, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The plant flourishes in soil that is slightly sandy and in warm climates. The leaves of the lemongrass plant are sharp, just as normal grass is. The only difference is lemongrass is larger. The plant can grow up to be about three feet tall.

The plant was first recorded to be distilled and distributed in the 17th century in the Philippines, though during this time distribution was extremely limited and very secretive. In India, lemongrass oil has been a favourite essential oil for many, many years. Though lemongrass oil is considered to be one of the newer essential oils on the market, it is still in the top ten for most popular essential oils. It is expected that in the future, the popularity of lemongrass in both raw and oil form will increase drastically. Russia, the United States, Japan and France are among the countries that have the tendency to import the most lemongrass.

Let us explore the many benefits of lemongrass essential oil.

Healing benefits

The antibacterial properties in lemongrass allows it to inhibit microbial as well as bacterial growth both in the internal and external body.  It will inhibit infections in the stomach, urinary tracts, respiratory system, wounds and colon. Healing of microbial ailments like typhoid, skin conditions, malaria and food poisoning can also be accelerated by use of lemongrass oil. Overall, lemongrass essential oil is great to use to prevent diseases caused by bacteria. Since the oil is an antiseptic, it can be applied to cuts, wounds and burns to prevent infection and kill bacteria, allowing the wound to heal faster.

Lemongrass oil is an analgesic, meaning it combats pain. The essential oil is used to reduce pain and inflammation in muscles and joints, especially from arthritis. It can also be used for toothaches and headaches resulting from viral infections like cough, cold, influenza, fever and various poxes. The oil heals headaches by relaxing a person and reducing the stress and tension in him or her. The essential oil is also useful for people who participate in strenuous physical activity because the oil can be used to help heal sore muscles and joints. A great way to heal sore muscles and joints with lemongrass oil is to use the oil in a bath. One can mix ten drops of lemongrass oil and marjoram oil into two cups of Epsom salt. He or she can then pour the mixture under running hot water until the salt is completely dissolved. He or she should then soak in the bath for fifteen to thirty minutes.

Lemongrass oil also brings down high fevers, even when the fever rises to levels that can be detrimental to the human body. Lemongrass is used as a fever reducer by putting the essential oil in tea.

This essential oil is an astringent, which means it stops blood flow by contracting the blood vessels. Lemongrass contracts blood vessels, reducing the bleeding of an injury and bringing healing speedily. This is important because quick blood clotting prevents the loss of large amounts of blood.  The oil also contracts gum, muscles, hair follicles and skin vessels. This prevents teeth loss, hair loss and promotes blood clotting.  These are life-saving properties, and this shows us all just how important lemongrass essential oil can be.

Lemongrass oil has many emotional benefits. This essential oil promotes self-esteem and confidence. It uplifts spirits and brings depressive thoughts to a standstill.  In this times of economic hardships, personal life insecurities, stagnation and loss of not just life but love, it is important to keep depression far from you in order to tackle life and maintain normal sanity levels.  Lemongrass oil also relieves anxiety. After people use the oil, they will feel relaxed and calm. They will also receive a boost of energy from the oil if they are sluggish or tired. As an antidepressant, lemongrass can be used by patients of acute depression who are rehabilitation after shock. The oil can be added to tea to help those who are depressed overcome their depression. Lemongrass oil can also boost hope and mental strength. To be energized by lemongrass oil, a person can diffuse three to four drops each of wild orange, lemongrass and peppermint essential oils. This combination of oils will leave a person refreshed and energized.

The oil is a carminative, meaning lemongrass helps in efficient digestion and inhibits formation of gas to excessive levels.  It also brings down swelling and removes toxins from the body. The oil also relaxes the abdominal muscles, making is easier to pass gas and have a more relaxed digestive tract overall.

In the same tone of healing, the oil reduces blood pressure and removes excess water from the body by increasing the amount of urine passed down because lemongrass oil is a diuretic. A diuretic is something that increases the frequency and quantity of urination. When a person urinates, they lose fat because about four percent of urine is fat. The more a person urinates, the more fat he or she loses. Since lemongrass oil promotes urination, it helps decrease swelling and get rid of excess water in the body. This frequent urination removes toxins from the body as well as cleans out the kidneys, liver, digestive tract, bladder and pancreas. To use the oil to detoxify the body and as a diuretic, one can add a few drops of oil to his or her tea.

Lemongrass oil is great at helping a person with his or her cholesterol. Lemongrass oil helps to sustain good triglyceride levels in the body. This helps to bring down LDL levels, also known as bad cholesterol. This helps to prevent clots in the arteries, thus protecting a person from heart problems and arteriosclerosis.

The oil is excellent for females when they are menstruating. Lemongrass essential oil has been shown to help with menstrual cramps along with irritability and nausea that go along with menstrual periods. The oil has also been shown by the Food and Drug Administration to help with symptoms that go along with menopause.

It is also used to treat fungal infections, both internal and external. Athlete’s foot is notorious for being an annoying fungal infection. Athlete’s foot can be treated with lemongrass oil, allowing the patient with the fungal infection to be able to get rid of the annoying issue. Itchy skins are soothed by lemongrass.

This essential oil is used as a sedative.  It has great soothing and calming effects on the mind.  Brings down anxious thoughts and helps relieve tension.  It is also known to help patients reduce insomnia by relaxing those suffering with insomnia, allowing them to sleep and get a good night’s rest.

Lemongrass essential oil can be used as a treatment for cellulite, which is fat below the skin that causes the appearance of bumps and divots on the surface of the skin. Removing the appearance of cellulite by using lemongrass oil is good because removing cellulite can make a person look and feel his or her best.

The oil has great nutritional value and is used in cooking all over the world. Nutrients that can be found in lemongrass are Calcium, Copper, Folate, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Pantothenic acid, Potassium, Protein, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Zinc. Lemongrass oil is especially popular for usage in cooking in Sri Lanka, Thailand and East India. The oil adds a tartness to soups and long-simmered dishes. It’s also great in stuffings and rubs. Lemongrass’s lemony flavour makes it popular for use in dairy, desserts, candy and baked goods. It also tastes good in curries, stews and casseroles, particularly ones made with chicken and seafood. The flavour of lemongrass pairs well with garlic, fresh coriander, coconut milk and hot flavours. Lemongrass is most often used in food as stalks, but it can also be used in food in oil form.

The high level of iron that is found in lemongrass oil is great for red blood cells. It helps the red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body. Manganese is another mineral that is found in lemongrass oil. This mineral is great for skin and bone health, and it is useful in balancing blood sugar levels.

Other Benefits of Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil contains galactogogue, which is a substance that accelerates breast milk production, increasing the volume and bringing with it health benefits to the baby as well.  The baby will be protected from infections due to the lemongrass oil’s antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. The milk absorbs these properties, thus protecting the baby.

Galactogogue is a substance or an agent that increases the formation of milk in the breasts. It also enhances the quality of that same milk. This property is very helpful for lactating mothers and the babies who need that vital source of food. Lemongrass oil is a Galactogogue. Apart from increasing milk production, it also helps babies in another way. Babies are prone to infections, so the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of Lemongrass oil are also absorbed in the milk and thus indirectly help the baby avoid such infections.

Lemongrass oil is used in the curative process of many nervous disorders. The oil helps to preserve the nervous system and keep it function normally. It can help treat a myriad of diseases of the nervous system from Alzheimer’s disease to Parkinson’s, nervousness, shaking limbs, lack of reflexes and vertigo. The oil has also been shown to prevent brain cancer.

The oil is good for keeping hair and scalps healthy. The oil is good at strengthening hair follicles and keeping hair intact rather than falling out, as mentioned previously in the article. One can use lemongrass oil for this purpose by massaging the oil into the scalp and leaving it in for fifteen minutes. Lemongrass oil is also good at treating and preventing dandruff, as shown by a study in Thailand.

With its insecticidal properties, it is used to repel insects. It can also be used to repel fleas. The oil can be used to repel fleas on animals by applying the oil to a pet’s collar. Lemongrass essential oil can be used to repel insect such as ticks by adding a few drops of the oil to the edges of clothing. Lemongrass oil in massage oil form can be rubbed into the skin to repel mosquitos. Though the oil can be used as an insect repellent, take this fact with a grain of salt and do not think the extermination days are over!

Deodorant

Far much better is the lemongrass oil than the synthetic deodorants whose costs are on the higher side, not to mention the environmental detriments that come with it.  Synthetic deodorants are sometimes known to cause skin irritation and can bring up allergies that did not exist.  When diluted, lemongrass oil doesn’t cause the same problems synthetic deodorants cause. With this in mind, natural lemongrass oil is a far better choice of a deodorant than the synthetic kind one can find in stores. One can make an all-natural deodorant at home by filling a four-ounce spray bottle with ten drops of lemongrass essential oil and witch hazel. The mixture can then be used as a natural spray-on deodorant on the underarms.

Blending

Lemongrass oil blends very well with other essential oils. These other essential oils include Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, Rosemary, Cedar Wood, Coriander, Geranium, Jasmine, Lavender, Lavandin and Tea Tree.

Precautions

Lemongrass oil is likely to cause skin irritation in some people, so the oil should be used with caution. Continuous handling of lemongrass can cause dermatitis, and this dermatitis can have the symptoms of itching, burning, stinging, reddened skin or blistered skin. Before using the oil over large areas of skin, one should do a patch test on a small area of his or her skin to make sure that no irritation occurs. Other irritation can also occur from lemongrass oil usage. It is highly recommended to keep the lemongrass essential oil out of the eyes, ears and nose as getting the oil in these cavities could cause a lot of discomfort and irritation. People should be careful when using lemongrass essential oil and stop usage if irritation does occur. Since the essential oil can cause different irritations, it is recommended that lemongrass essential oil not be used by those who are pregnant.

Conclusion

Lemongrass essential oil is a good tonic in every sense.  It boosts health in the major systems of the body, namely the digestive, respiratory, excretory and nervous systems, by strengthening and boosting the immune system with its properties of nutrients absorption. The oil contains many vitamins and minerals that are essential for the body to be able to function normally and healthily. These nutrients found in lemongrass oil include iron, protein, magnesium, potassium and manganese.

This oil is a better natural deodorant than expensive and often harmful synthetic deodorants because it doesn’t cause irritation and doesn’t have harmful effects on the environment as some synthetic deodorants do.

This essential oil can relieve mental distress and bring calmness and sanity back to normal levels.  Anxiety and nervousness are gone with the use of lemongrass oil.

A source of strength to the interior and exterior body, the lemongrass oil is vital for day to day function of the human body. Using of this oil can be a preventative measure in dealing with infections both bacterial and microbial.

Lemongrass is a miracle essential oil, a must have for a happier, better life.

 

Written by Anne Mwangi

 

 

 

@OilAdmin

2 thoughts on “LEMONGRASS OIL CAN HELP TO INCREASE BREAST MILK PRODUCTION FOR MOTHERS

  1. hi,
    i’m interest with lemongrass oil can increast breast mil for mom. if dont mind to share with me a journal about lemongrass has a galactouse?

    thank u
    indonesia

  2. sorry for my bad english, i mean “Galactogogue”

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