The Benefits and properties of laurel grass For health are wide: reduce stress, lose weight, reduce cholesterol, antiseptic... Later on I will explain the most important.
The use of green herbs are recurrent to naturally solve different physical and psychological problems.
The Luisa herb is perhaps not the most Popular but it is a plant with great aromatic and medicinal properties that make it can be used in various areas of life Everyday life.
What is Luisa grass?
Cedrón, verbena, yerbaluisa, maría luisa or grass luisa, there are several ways to name this shrub of the Verbenáceas family and that responds To the scientific name of Aloysia citrodora or Aloysia triphylla .
It is a deciduous plant that emerges especially in South America In countries like Argentina, Chile, Peru or Ecuador. In these areas it grows wild. However, it is already cultivated in most of the world, Especially in Europe.
The most suitable climate for its conservation is the temperate and humid. It requires a basic and constant watering in which water is not abused to avoid its stagnation. Nor should it be allowed to dry excessively. However, it is able to withstand dry weather.
Its aspect is that of a bush of between 1.20 meters to 3 meters of height although some can reach the 6 meters. They have lanceolate leaves around Of 7 cm of length, and a characteristic citric smell that resembles the one of the lemon.
The stems are woody in its upper area and at the end of it has small white flowers on the outside and lilac in the interior Arranged in the form of a cluster. These are born in the summer season and precisely that is the best time to collect it, since it contains a level of Higher oil.
If this is not going to be used at the moment, it is advisable to keep the leaves in an airtight and dark place. The fruit of the lemon grass Is a drupe that does not always reach maturity if it is not in an especially warm and prone environment for this.
14 Benefits of Luisa Grass
Antioxidant Properties
If you practice sports frequently points the name of this plant, as it is one of the only ones able to protect your muscles.
According to an elaborate study By researchers of the Center for Research on Sport and the Institutes of Bioengineering, Molecular and Cellular Biology of Miguel University Hernández de Elche (UMH), its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties reduce muscle damage caused especially by physical exercise.
Luisa herb extract supplementation protects the Neutrophils (A type of white blood cells) against oxidative damage so that the condition Muscle caused by prolonged sports practice decreases.
It also improves mobility of the joints, something especially useful if you have problems of arthritis . This annoying pain hardly reversible Can be relieved by the use of the herb luisa. It also accelerates recovery in mobility-related injuries.
Reduces oxidative stress
Precisely these antioxidant qualities make grass luisa a plant that decreases the levels of oxidative stress caused by the process of Oxidation in which humans are involved when they breathe and cause damage to the tissues. This produces better overall health of the body, Due to an increase of white blood cells in the blood, cornerstone of the immune system
Decreases menstrual cramps
For many women the onset of menstruation is synonymous with severe belly pains that are often difficult to cope with. The properties Anti-inflammatories of the herb louise make this suppose a great relief for those cramps and general malaise.
Improve digestion
To treat problems of the digestive system like indigestiones or heartburn, gas or flatulence it is advisable to resort to the herb luisa.
In addition, it has carminative and antispasmodic properties thanks to which it is a very favorable product to end the flatulence and gas Accumulated that cause discomfort and swelling. Therefore, herbal tea infusions are advisable to end the aerophagia.
Useful for losing weight and combating obesity problems
By improving digestion and activating the metabolism, herbal tea infusions are good companions of the diets as they help the body to accelerate The burning of fats. In addition, as they hardly contain calories they make up a good option to add to a daily, healthy and balanced diet.
In addition, according to a study published in the journal of phytotherapy and pharmacology Phytomedicine Is a great ally to fight obesity Since the polyphenols possessed by guisean grass diminish the accumulation of triglycerides in fat cells and the production of free radicals that Cause oxidation.
Reduces cholesterol
Thanks to the lemon grass prevents the accumulation of triglycerides and fats in the arteries is a great weapon to fight against cholesterol, because Is able to remove bad cholesterol from the body.
It also achieves an improvement in blood flow that can lead to heart problems such as Hypertension or cardio-respiratory arrest.
Toning for the skin
In a society increasingly preoccupied with caring for its image, laurel grass has the necessary elements to make a dent in the majority of Households. Thanks to it you can get a toned skin.
In addition, the application of this herb or its oil in the bath or massage reduces one of The great nightmares of many people: cellulite.
Helps eliminate acne
Acne is one of the most common skin diseases in society, especially affecting adolescents and young adults although adults are not Exempt. This causes not only a face aesthetic in cases of major affection but pain and itching in areas most harmed by the grains.
A A study by a researcher at the Salesian Polytechnic University of Quito points out that the herb oil of Luisa has properties that can Repair acne. This also improves the texture of the skin.
End Halitosis
The halitosis Or bad breath is an oral health problem that suffers from one in two people today. The grass luisa, next to a correct one Oral hygiene, helps to end it.
Helps cure the cold
Luisa grass can be applied to improve the symptoms of the cold. This plant is useful to combat cough and other conditions of the device Respiratory and helps to expel mucus.
Low fever
The herb luisa has antipyretic properties reason why it is able to reduce the fever. Therefore it is advisable to consume at least two infusions of this Plant per day.
To enhance its flavor can be sweetened with honey, an element that is also very interesting in cases of flu and colds, since Helps cushion coughing and reduces throat irritation.
Release the stress
Although the most popular to get rid of nerves and stress is to go to valerian or tila, the truth is that the grass luisa has large Relaxing properties. Its sedative effect makes it a perfect natural sedative to fight against insomnia And avoid those long nights of laps and Laps in bed For this reason, it is advisable to consume it just before bed.
This virtue of the hierbaluisa also prays in the study elaborated by the University Miguel Hernández de Elche. In it the researchers developed a A clinical trial with 28 athletes who were given herbal treatment over a period of three weeks.
The study proved that these athletes slept 20 minutes more than half a day and had a much more placid sleep since the interruptions disappeared by 30 percent.
Thanks to the relaxing effect of this herb, its use is advisable for migraines.
Useful for depression
The relief of stress and the appearance of a more relaxed situation of this herb sometimes leads to begin to experience positive feelings. By This can be of great help to those who are somewhat depressed.
Works as an antiseptic
The herb luisa has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties that distract the parasites of the animals and of zones of the house in which Can be frequent the entrance of flies, like the kitchen. In cosmetic products it prevents the growth of microorganisms.
History
The Luisa grass, like other products originating in South America, was introduced in Europe thanks to the discovery of the Spanish explorers who During the seventeenth century, attracted by their aromatic oil, they decided to take it to the old continent.
Since then it has had different uses. In the century XIX, for example, they used to fill pillows with it to facilitate the sleep and to get a better rest thanks to the smell that they gave off.
The name of grass luisa receives it from the queen Maria Luisa de Parma, wife of Carlos IV to whom the plant is dedicated.
Components
The main components of laurel grass are the Phenylpropanoids , Among which the verbascosido stands out. In addition, its branches and leaves contain Essential oil rich in more than a hundred substances, among which citral stands out, thanks to which it acquires its peculiar smell. It also has limonene, Caryophyllene, linalool and cineol among others.
How and for what?
The great benefits of laurel grass make it have numerous applications ranging from the release of stress Until the tonification of the skin Going through many others that I will quote later. For this can be taken directly through infusions or can be used externally, Dissolving it for example in the bath water.
Besides its citric aroma makes it a good ingredient in the kitchen. For this reason it usually accompanies fruit salads and desserts and is a great substitute for Lemon in dishes with chicken, rice or fish. Marinades and sauces can also be made with it.
On the other hand the essence of the herb, with bactericidal properties, is used in the world of cosmetics, generally, to add a lemon flavor in Colonies, perfumes, soaps, shampoos, dentifrices, hair lotions, etc.
Another way to use the grass luisa is as adornment of streets, squares and parks. This ornamentation is favored by the pleasant smell that gives off, Ideal to soften the ride.
How to prepare an infusion of grass luisa?
The first thing is to heat the water until it reaches about 90 ° - it is important not to let it boil. Once the fire is off, place the grass Luisa in the teapot or glass with the water, cover it, leave it in rest for several minutes before ingesting it and ready!
This type of infusions can be much more enjoyable if you add honey or some type of sweetener. If you want to achieve a more Citric you can include a little lemon juice. Another more refreshing option is to add peppermint or mint.
How to extract the essential oil from this herb?
The most common way to get the essential oil of Luisa grass is the steam distillation of the plant. It is advisable that this be done shortly Time of having collected it so that the medicinal properties are not lost.
If executed properly you will get a pale yellowish oil with a characteristic citric odor and with antispasmodic, antiseptic, Detoxifying, digestive, carminative, stomach, sedative and febrifuge among others.
Contraindications of the herb luisa
Ingestion of high doses of lemon grass may cause irritation in the stomach.
It is advisable to perform tests to diagnose allergies before coming into contact with the herb. It is possible to suffer dermatitis in response Allergic reaction.
Finally, if you have a long-term or chronic illness such as kidney disease, the consumption of herbal medicine could make your situation worse. That is why it is It is advisable to visit a doctor before consuming or using luisa herb for any of the applications that have been developed in this article. The The same happens if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is possible that new applications of this multifaceted plant will soon appear and it is even more likely that there are many more uses that have not been named.
What other benefits of the herb you know?