Griffith University researchers have discovered that native lemon grass, which is used by native Australians as part of their traditional medicine, has some ability to help relieve headaches and migraines.
The findings of this five-year research study were published in the academic journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Headaches and migraines can result in abnormal activities within the body, including changing serotonin levels or disrupting normal function of blood platelets. Platelets form clumps for repairing wounds, but they may also create dangerous internal clots that starve the brain of oxygen and possibly result in a stroke.
Extracts of the lemon grass were tested on human blood platelets. The compound eugenol displayed similar functionality as aspirin. Eugenol appears to inhibit the clumping of platelets as well as the release of serotonin.
Serotonin plays a role in the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction, and a variety of cognitive functions.
Generally, traditional medicines have not been researched in-depth and many unstudied plants may have as yet unknown therapeutic and healing properties.
This research project also collected a number of other traditional Australian medicinal plants to study, including Cymbopogon Ambiguus which is found in the Northern Territory.
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