Lemongrass
What is lemongrass?
Traditional uses of lemongrass essential oil
Limitations / warnings for lemongrass oil
Cancer treatment
Headache and migraine cure, stroke protection
Lemongrass tea
References
What is lemongrass?
Lemongrass (cymbopogon) is a perennial tropical grass that is native to the Philippines, and is now found in warm temperate and tropical climates around the world. It is one of about 55 species of grass. Cymbopogon citratus is the species that has a subtle citrus flavour, and is used in food, flavouring and as a herbal medicine.
Common names include lemon grass, lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, citronella grass, cha de Dartigalongue, fever grass, tanglad, hierba Luisa and gavati chaha.
Lemongrass has a subtle citrus flavour. The leaves have an aromatic smell that can be used as fragrance in potpourri and satchels. It is widely used in Asian, and particularly Thai cuisine, with sticks of fresh grass pounded and then cooked in a sauce suitable for poultry, fish, meat or seafood. Lemongrass is used in teas, soups, and curries. I often use it raw, finely slicing a small piece of lemongrass and feeding the pulp into my slow juicer. Watch out - large pieces are quite hard, and will damage your juicer. Lemongrass is also available dried or powdered, but I feel it has none of the flavour of the fresh product.
Traditional uses of lemongrass essential oil
- Anti-fungal.
- Antibacterial (antibiotic).
- Muscle cramps.
- Muscle relaxant.
- Fragrance in soaps, skin creams, hair products and oils. Perfume component.
- Depression treatment.
- Invigorates, wards off fatigue.
- Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine: kidney problems, common colds, flatulence, fungal infections, stomach aches, digestion issues, spasms, toothache, excess mucus, and rheumatic pain.
- Pesticide.
- Preservative.
Limitations / warnings for lemongrass oil
Lemongrass oil can irritate sensitive skin. Test on a small patch of skin before using.
Pregnant women should not use lemongrass oil.
Cancer treatment
A research team at the Ben Gurion University in Israel found that lemongrass caused apoptosis (self - destruction) in cancer cells. They examined the effect of citral, one of the components of lemongrass, on both normal and cancerous cells. At concentrations equivalent to a cup of tea (one gram of lemongrass in hot water), the researchers observed that citral induces apoptosis in cancerous cells while healthy were left intact.
Headache and migraine cure, stroke protection
Australian lemongrass (cymbopogon ambiguous) is used by Aboriginal Australians in the Northern Territory as traditional medicine. A five-year study (6) by a team at Griffith University in Australia confirmed that lemongrass is as good as aspirin for treating headaches, and it is also an effective migraine cure.
Dr Darren Grice explained: "Headaches and migraines cause abnormal activities in our bodies, such as altering our serotonin levels and interfering with the normal function of our blood platelets."
When blood platelets clump together for internal wound repair in large quantities, these clots are a risk factor for strokes. They found that the compound eugenol in the Australian lemongrass plant showed similar activity to aspirin, inhibiting platelet clumping and the release of serotonin.
Lemongrass tea
Pound a 2 cm (1") piece of lemongrass, put it in a cup, and fill with boiling water. Leave it to brew for five minutes will stirring occasionally.
References
1. Shadab, Q., Hanif, M. & Chaudhary, F.M.
Antifungal activity by lemongrass essential oils.
1992 Pak. J. Sci. Ind. Res. 35, 246-249.
2. Blanco M.M., Costa C.A., Freire A.O., Santos J.G., Costa M.
Neurobehavioral effect of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus in mice
March 2009. Phytomedicine 16 (2-3): 265-70.
3. Leite J.R., Seabra Mde L., Maluf E., et al.
Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic
effects on humans
July 1986. J Ethnopharmacol 17 (1): 75-83.
4. Bleasel N., Tate B., Rademaker M.
Allergic contact dermatitis following exposure to essential oils
August 2002, Australas. J. Dermatol. 43 (3): 211-3.
5. Dudai N., Weinstein Y., Krup M., Rabinski T., Ofir R.
Citral is a new inducer of caspase-3 in tumor cell lines
May 2005, Planta Med. 71 (5): 484-8.
6.Lyn Griffiths, Darren Grice, Kelly Rogers. Journal of Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. March 2010.