Lemongrass

Lemongrass is a grass native to Southeast Asia and other tropical regions. Visually, it is tall and stalky, similar to green onions, but they are more fibrous. It has a citrusy smell, which comes from its essential oil, citral.

It is prepared to eat by peeling away the outer layers, revealing the tender, light yellow inner stalk, which is then usually sliced or crushed to use in recipes. Common dishes include Tom Yum Soup, a spicy and sour Thai soup, and various Vietnamese marinades and Southeast Asian curries and noodle recipes.

The leaves and stalks are also used to brew a relaxing tea. In traditional medicine, lemongrass is most usually used as a digestive aid. Lemongrass tea can help upset stomachs, bloating and gas, and indigestion. It's also known as fever grass because it's used to reduce fevers by causing sweating. Additionally, it has diuretic properties, helping the body flush out excess fluids and toxins.

The health benefits of lemongrass are largely related to its main active compound being citral. Citral has powerful anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which is why it calms stomach inflammation and can fight common germs.

Lemongrass is also full of antioxidants, like chlorogenic acid, which help protect cells from damage. Also, the scent of citral is widely used in aromatherapy for its calming, stress-reducing effects, which can help lessen anxiety and promote better sleep.

For adults, you can create a soothing lemongrass-infused oil for its anti-inflammatory benefits for sore muscles or joints. To make it, cover the stalks in an oil like almond or coconut oil, and let it steep for a few days. Then massage the oil directly onto painful spots.

For children, a lemongrass lemonade is a great way to use its calming properties. First make a tea by steeping the stalks, let it cool completely, and then use the cooled tea as a base for lemonade, sweetened with honey.