I like to while away a Saturday morning by wandering the local Farmer’s Market in Cerritos, CA. Many Asian vegetables are offered for the local clientele and I confess to great ignorance of the varieties and uses of many displayed. This week I was drawn to a mysterious pale green bunch of stalks that turned out to be lemon grass. I threw caution to the wind and spent two dollars on my first raw lemon grass purchase.
My taste buds have long enjoyed lemon grass in tea and soups and a little research reveals a long tradition of lemon grass for healthy living. Here are a few of the benefits cited:
- Improves circulation
- Calming properties, especially effective for insomnia
- Cleanses digestive organs or liver, bladder, and kidneys
- Improves skin conditions such as acne
- Contains folic acid and a range of B Vitamins
- Anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
- Traditional cold and flu remedy
Wow! All that and it tastes good too. I brewed some fresh tea and now have a pitcher ready to enjoy in the fridge.
Lemon Grass Tea
2 cups boiling water
2 stalks lemon grass, cut away leaves and outside touch layer. Cut into a couple of pieces and gently crush to release the oils. I used a rolling pin, but a meat tenderizer or hammer will also work.
Steep for 15 minutes. Drink warm or add cool water for iced tea.
Optional:
Honey, sugar, or stevia to taste
Raw ginger may also be added.
Read more about the benefits of lemon grass at:
http://planetwell.com/lemongrass-health-benefits-and-healing-properties/
http://www.diethealthclub.com/health-food/lemon-grass-health-benefits.html
Enjoy!
It’s that germ-ridden time of year. Be pro-active about keeping healthy and lay in a supply of 
Thieves is a “hotter” blend than Purification and delivers a blast to enemy microorganisms. Legend has it the blend is named for the Thieves who robbed bodies during the Black Plague. They were perfumers who knew the power of the oils. They could rob the dead without getting sick themselves. Rub on the bottom of the feet to boost the immune system.
The priciest and smelliest of the lot, the oregano oil in the blend gives off quite an aroma and I’m sure cold germs simply faint away. Application on the spine and bottom of feet will energize the body’s natural defenses.
