Impact of lemon grass (cymbopogon citratus) tea on the antioxidant and iron profile of non- Pregnant non- Lactating young women

Abstract

Cymbopogon citrates (Lemon Grass) is a traditional food of Asia and is used as folk medicine. Lemongrass has high antioxidant value; however, there is a dearth of human trials showing impact of Lemon Grass on health.The present study was conducted to assess the impact of Lemon Grass supplementation on antioxidant and Iron profile of Non-Pregnant and Non Lactating Healthy Adult Women.The 3.5g oven dried lemongrass tea (infused) was supplemented (twice daily) to non-pregnant non- lactating healthy adult women (19-25 years) for a period of 60 days.: it was found that there was significant increase in antioxidant values as assessed by FRAP (17.1±4.3 to 25.5±6.6, p ≤ 0.000). However, there was a 1.8% reduction in Hb (12.2±1.4 to 11.9±1.4g/dl (p≤ 0.05) levels with an insignificant decrease of Ferritin (6.7%), Erythrocyte (0.6%) Hematocrit (2.6%), MCH (0.5%) and MCHC (0.3%) values. Moreover, there was a decrease in normocytic normochromic subjects from 86.6 to 80.0 percent.Lemon Grasstea contributes to enhanced antioxidant levels in adult women, however, its effects on the CBC levels need to be corroborated.