Lemongrass

Cymbopogon densiflorus

As the name suggests, East Indian Lemongrass is a citrus-flavored grass from an area that
includes India, Sri Lanka and Thailand. This annual grass is grown as an ornamental, an edible
and a medicinal. Its flavor is attributed to a chemical called citral. This species is widely used in
Thai and Vietnamese cooking to flavor soups and other dishes. It is also a constituent of many
herbal teas, either alone or in combination with other herbs. Lemon grass is considered a
stomach settler and a digestive stimulant, an anti-inflammatory and a vasodilator. It is probably
most widely used to relax and revitalize the mind. It relives fatigue and an aching body.
Additionally, it has reported antifungal and antimicrobial properties. The essential oil is also68
sold as an alternative to the tea to be used for the same purposes. Each plant contains 1 seed-
grown potted live grass plug for starting your own grass patch. Lemongrass reportedly has a
wide variety of therapeutic effects. Because the herb has not been studied extensively in people,
its effectiveness is based mainly on the results of animal and laboratory studies as well as its
centuries-old reputation as a folk remedy. Lemongrass is one of the most popular plant
medicines in Brazil, where it is used to treat nervous disorders and stomach problems. In the
Amazon, lemongrass is highly regarded as a sedative tea. When taken internally, lemongrass
has been recommended for stomachaches, diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, fever, the flu,
and headaches and other types of pain. The herb (or its essential oil) may be applied externally
to help treat acne, athlete’s foot, lower back pain, sciatica, sprains, tendinitis, neuralgia, and
rheumatism. To treat circulatory disorders, some authorities recommend rubbing a few drops of
lemongrass oil on the skin of affected areas; it is believed to work by improving blood flow.
Like many essential oils, lemongrass is also used in aromatherapy. The link between lemongrass
and cholesterol was investigated by researchers from the Department of Nutritional Sciences,
University of Wisconsin, who published their findings in the medical journal Lipids in 1989.
They conducted a clinical trial involving 22 people with high cholesterol who took 140-mg
capsules of lemongrass oil daily. While cholesterol levels were only slightly affected in some of
the participants—cholesterol was lowered from 310 to 294 on average—other people in the
study experienced a significant decrease in blood fats. The latter group, characterized as
responders, experienced a 25-point drop in cholesterol after one month, and this positive trend
continued over the course of the short study. After three months, cholesterol levels among the
responders had decreased by a significant 38 points. Once the responders stopped taking
lemongrass, their cholesterol returned to previous levels. It should be noted that this study did
not involve a placebo group, which is usually used to help measure the effects of the agent
being studied (in this case, lemongrass oil). Considered an antiseptic and astringent, essential oil
of lemongrass is also used by some people to cleanse oily skin and help close pores. Some
herbalists recommend mixing a few drops of lemongrass with a normal portion of mild
shampoo to combat greasy hair. Lemongrass essential oil can also be used as a deodorant to
curb perspiration. Last but not least, the herb has a strong reputation as an insect repellent. It is
an important ingredient in several products designed to keep bugs at bay. Some authorities
recommend rubbing the crushed herb directly on exposed areas of skin to avoid insect bites69
when enjoying the great outdoors. There is a significant difference between the external use of a
few drops of essential oil, and the use of larger amounts of the herb in a tincture or tea.
Lemongrass tea can be prepared by steeping 1–2 tsp of the herb (fresh or dried) in a cup of
boiling water. The mixture should be strained after 10–15 minutes. The tea is generally taken
several times a day. In Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs & Spices, John Heinerman
recommends using one cup of lemongrass tea every four hours to reduce fever. In the Green
Pharmacy, prominent herbalist James Duke recommends drinking one to four cups of
lemongrass tea a day to benefit from its anti-fungal properties. The used tea bags can also be
applied externally as fungi-fighting compresses, according to the author. The stalks of
lemongrass can be chopped or pounded for use in Thai and Indian cooking. The flavor goes
well in sauces, in stir fry, curries, soups and with fish. Current studies are being conducted to
investigate the beneficial properties in tom yum soup for which lemongrass is a main
ingredient. This soup is thought to have immune-boosting properties and even posses the ability
to help fight cancer.