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Versatile herb

It has several culinary and medicinal uses. You can also try it with grilled chicken

Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tall tropical grass. The fresh stalks and leaves have a lemon-like fragrance because they contain an essential oil, which is also present in lemon peel.

A native of India, lemon grass is widely used in Thai and Vietnamese cooking and is popular in the United States too.

A pungent herb, lemon grass is normally used in small amounts. The entire stalk can be used. The grass blade can be sliced finely and added to soups. The bulb can be bruised and minced for use in a variety of recipes.

The light lemon flavour blends well with garlic, chillies and cilantro. The herb is frequently used in curries as well as in seafood soups. Lemon grass tea is considered good for health. The oil is used in perfume, makeup, soap, hair products, anti-fungal agents, incense and potpourri. From providing relief from stomachache to being an effective insect repellent, lemon grass has a plethora of uses. A limited study done at the University of Wisconsin revealed that some people taking prepared lemon grass capsules (140 mg) daily for three months experienced a significant reduction in cholesterol levels.

Drinking 1-4 cups of lemon grass tea per day helps relieve congestion, cough, bladder disorder, headache, fever, digestive problems, diarrhoea, gas and bowel spasms.

N. GOPI

Sous Chef, Taj Connemara

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