Quilala, Tristan Neil B.

Lemon Grass as a Medicinal Plant

Lemon grass (Cymbopogan flexuosus) is a native aromatic tall sedge (family: Poaceae) that
grows in many parts of tropical and sub-tropical Southeast Asia and Africa. Lemon grass thrives
in the wild even without too much care. It can be grown in pots and gardens.
Botanical Description

Lemon grass is a tall, perennial sedge throwing up dense bunches of leaves from a short
rhizome. The culm is stout, erect, and up to 1.8 meters high. Leaves are long, glaucous, green,
linear tapering upwards and along the margins; ligule very short; sheaths terete, those of the
barren shoots widened and tightly clasping at the base, others narrow and separating. It is a short-
day plant and produces profuse flowering in South India. The inflorescence is a long spike about
one meter in length. Flowers are borne on decompound spathulate; panicles 30 to over 60 cm
long.

Lemon Grass is an herb largely popular for its citrus flavor with a trace of ginger. It is widely
used in cooking to spice various Asian cuisines from Thai to Filipino. Lemon grass is not only
good for flavoring, but it has been traditionally used as herbal medicine to treat various medical
conditions.
Lemon Grass Traditional Medicinal Uses:
- Antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial
 - Prevents body odor.
- Improves body metabolism.
- Lemon grass relieves gout.
- Combats bad cholesterol.
- Powerful antioxidant.
- Pain reliever
- Relaxant
- Insect repellent

Lemon Grass Usage, Dosage

Lemon Grass Tea Preparation

1. Pound or cut about 10 leaves of lemon grass.

2. Then add in 2 cups of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes,
3. Strain, and add sugar and a slice of ginger to taste.
4. Let it cool and drink a cup three to four times a day.
5. Make new lemon grass herbal tea as needed.

When symptoms persist or irritation occurs stop the use and consult your doctor.

Lemon grass oil (food grade) can also be used to make tea by diluting 2 teaspoons of lemon grass
oil into a cup of boiling water.

Lemon grass Liniment Preparation

 Boil equal amounts of chopped leaves and roots with freshly made coconut oil.
 You can also mix 2 drops of Lemon grass oil with an ounce of your usual oil used such as
coconut oil, olive oil, etc.

Lemongrass Baths and Compress

Chop about a cup of lemon grass leaves to a liter of water. Let it boil and strain. You can add it
to your bath, or you can use it as an herbal compress for skin infections.

Lemon grass oil can also be added to a bath or warm water for a hot compress. a tablespoon of
oil for every 500ml for compress is suggested.