One of the several plants I
have in my collection is the Palmarosa lemongrass (Cymbopogon martinii), a fragrant herb frequently used in aromatherapy,
and I truly admire its subtle citrus scent. Walking down the garden is a
heartening treat as I pass through the lemongrass area, and smelling them on a
fresh, sunny morning always rejuvenates the spirit. Having been intrigued by this
perennial lemongrass, it’s wonderful to discover that the Palmarosa oil improves
our health and well-being in 5 ways:
1. Antifungal properties. Got any
embarrassing fungal skin and nail infections? This plant can be your natural
antifungal! A study conducted at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in
Brazil reveals that that Palmarosa oil has a potent antifungal property,
especially against Candida species.
2. Antibacterial action. According to
Lodhia et. al., the essential oil of Palmarosa has been found to have a potent
antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria,
meaning that it could treat a wide spectrum of bacterial skin infections. Another
study by Friedman et. al. supports the action of its essential oil against
pathogens of the digestive system.
3. A natural insect repellent. Does the stench
of insect-killer chemicals suffocate you? Try spraying some Palmarosa oil, and
you’ll see how those pesky bugs and mosquitoes flit with repulsion. Mix 6 ml of
lemongrass extract with 4 ounces of carrier oil, and add about 5 ml of
Citronella oil for a more potent spray formula.
4. Skin care. The leaves can be boiled to
extract the oil which can be combined to a facial wash, and the oils of this
grass have become a valuable component to skin care products. Got wrinkled
skin? Not to worry! Its oil also has that hydrating property that will
rejuvenate your skin cells and exfoliate the old ones.
5. Aromatherapy. Its fragrance has that resemblance
to rose, and it’s a faved additive to aromatherapy. The sweet smell of lemongrass
relaxes nerves and muscles, minimizes depression, anxiety, fatigue and stress.
One could even feel a psychological and spiritual uplift just by smelling the
plant itself.
The best thing to know about
this plant is that it can be easily grown in your backyard, and from its dry
grass you can readily extract the Palmarosa oil through simple steam distillation.
If you want to know more about how to get the Palmarosa lemongrass and other
plants at a wholesale price, click here.
Links:
Disclaimer: While the
information provided in this article is supported by research, it is for
educational purposes only and in no way is any of the content to be construed
as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents
of this article. It is recommended to seek the advice of your physician before
taking supplements of any kind.
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