Tanglad

 

Tanglad is a native herb from temperate and warm regions such as India, is widely used in Asian cooking and is an ingredient in many Thai and Vietnamese foods. Tanglad use in cooking has become popular in the Caribbean and in the United States for its aromatic citrus flavor with a trace of ginger.

Tanglad is a member of a specie of grass that grows to as high as 1 meter with leaves of 1 to 1.5 centimeters in width that grows from a stalk of about 30 to 80 cm long with bulbous lower end.

Tanglad is a perennial and tufted grass that is commercially cultivated in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and China. Tanglad is also cultivated in United States specifically in California and Florida. Propagation is by dividing the root clumps.

Tanglad oil is extracted by steam distillation. Tanglad oil has a lemony, sweet smell and is dark yellow to amber and reddish in color, with a watery viscosity. It is also known as 'choomana poolu' and is also referred to as 'Indian Verbena' or 'Indian Melissa oil'. Tanglad oil is a valuable ingredient in cosmetics, perfumes and as fragrances for soaps and insect repellant's.

Tanglad is reportedly has a wide variety of therapeutic application. With limited research and studies conducted on humans, Tanglad effectiveness is based mainly on the results from animal and laboratory studies as well as its reputation as a folk remedy.

Tanglad as herbal medicine for gastrointestinal problems stomachaches, diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu, and headaches Taken as tea, 1 cup every 8 hours. The tea is prepared by boiling about 10 leaves in 2 cups of water, adding sugar to taste and a slice of ginger. 

Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as coconut oil is used as a liniment for back pains, rheumatism, neuralgia, sprains and other body pains.

Tanglad oil mixed with other essential oils such as lavender or jasmine oil used in baths or vapor scents can revitalize the body and relieve the symptoms of jet lag, headaches, anxiety and stress related exhaustion.