Among them, lemongrass leaves, a familiar leaf, are being highly appreciated by experts for their antibacterial and naturally warm properties.
Lemon leaves contain essential oils limonene and citral that have the ability to soothe the throat, reduce mucosal irritation and support phlegm, says Dr. Brittany Henderson, a herbal nutritionist in the United States. When heated, the essential oil helps warm the chest area and reduce the feeling of chest tightness when coughing. This is the reason why many Asian countries use lemongrass leaves as a folk herb in the cold season".
A study published in the Journal of Essential Oil Research also found that lemongrass leaves have mild antibacterial properties, which help inhibit some of the bacteria that cause upper respiratory tract inflammation. Experts say that it is not a specific medicine to treat cough, but lemon leaves can reduce symptoms and shorten discomfort if used properly.
Popular, safe and easy-to-use tips include:
Lemon leaf shower, warms the body, cleans the throat
Simmer the lemongrass leaves with ginger and lemongrass, use a steamer in a closed room for 10-15 minutes. Hot air contains essential oils that help clear the nose, reduce suffocation and warm the body quickly.
Warm lemon leaf water, soothes the throat, reduces cough
Cook 5-7 young lemongrass leaves with water, add a little honey (for people over 1 year old). This method helps soothe the throat, reduce burning and limit coughing at night.
Salted roasted lemon leaves, warm the stomach
Heat lemon leaves with coarse salt, wrap thin scarves and apply to the abdomen to help reduce colds, especially when it is windy.
Experts also note: people with stomach problems should not drink too much. Lemon leaves do not replace medicine but are a safe, cheap and effective choice to reduce coughs and keep the body warm on cold days.
