At the first
look, it may seem as if knowing about grasses is as exciting as watching them
grow.If your thoughts are along the same line, then I’m afraid that you have misjudged these fabulous edible
gifts of nature. Let us embark on a
journey to know more about our remarkable green friends!
Vetiver:
Labeled Chrysopogon zizanioides as the scientific name, ‘Vetiver’ is actually a
Tamil word and can be translated to English as “ the root that is dug up”.
After
cleaning the root of the grass well, it can be soaked in an earthen pot filled
with water for about 4-5 hours. Its nutritional elements will ooze inside the
water thus turning the drinking water medicinal. It’s as simple as that to
obtain its nourishments!
Health
Benefits:
Loaded with
antioxidants, it is also a powerhouse of
minerals like iron, manganese, zinc and vitamins like B6 that can help
boost blood circulation and can keep various eye diseases at bay. It also wards
off urinary tract infections.
Scutch
grass:
In Tamil it is popularly known as Arugampul. Bearing Cynodon
Dactylon as its scientific name,the full essence of the grass’s benefits
can be derived by converting it into the juice or soup form and having it in an
empty stomach.
Scutch grass
juice recipe:
After
washing the grass well, the cut pieces should be blended with half a teaspoon
of pepper and cumin seeds. Strain the mixture liquified with 4 -5 cups of
water. Add required amount of salt with little buttermilk.
Health Benefits:
Your stomach
will simply love the alkaline properties of the juice as it lowers acidity in
the stomach. Also, any gut infections and inflammations can be easily cured by
having this juice regularly. It contains a powerful protein called the Cynodon Dactylon Protein Fractions which
gives our immune system a boost thus keeping the various deadly diseases at
bay.
Lemongrass:
Labeled as ‘Cymbopogon citratus’ as its scientific
name, this remarkable grass has barbed wire grass, silky heads or Cochin grass
as its other names.
Peeling the tough outer leaves can reveal the soft
inner stalk which can be used in cooking. The bulb of the grass should be
discarded. The lower part of the stalk can be sliced and blended for cooking
purposes but the upper half, because of its woody nature and aromatic smell,
can be reserved for enhancing the flavor of your dish.
Lemongrass
rice recipe:
Add the
woody stalks and grass slices to a cup of Basmati rice. Add 2 cups of water
and pressure cook it. The flavor of the grass can easily seep into the rice when
pressure cooked.
Health
benefits:
Lemongrass
is a good cure for cough and fever. Diabetic individuals can also safely
consume this grass. It can also be a nice remedy for the common cold.
A note of
warning:
This grass
consumption of Vetiver and Lemongrass should be avoided by pregnant and
nursing mothers.
Three cheers
to our green friends!
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