Green goodness of lemon grass

Botanical name: CymbopogonCitratus

Common names: Fever Grass, Oil Grass, Madagascar Lemon Grass, Citronella

Composition: Volatile oil (0.2-0.4%), essential oils: Citral (65-85%), Geraniol (12.25%)

Origin/Cultivation

Perennial grass found in Central America, South America, Asia and Africa. An aromatic, tall grass with rhizomes and tufted fibrous roots. Green Slightly leathery leaves in dense clusters. Now cultivated widely even in Nigeria.

Medicinal Uses

The grass is stimulant, tonic, aromatic and it increases secretion and discharge of urine. The lemon grass oil has carminative effect and suitable as anti-flatulence, the dose is 3-6 drops with sugar. The grass is useful in digestive disorders, strengthening the functions of stomach, indigestion and bowel irritability.

It induces perspiration and brings down temperature, useful in the management of malaria fever.

Islamic/Prophetic Usage

In Sahih it is narrated that the Prophet said in Makkah, “Do not cut its plant.” Al-Abbas asked, Except Idhkhir, O messenger of God, for it is for their houses. Traditionally used in Islamic medicine as opening obstructions and mouths of veins, diuretic, breaks up stones, dissolves hard inflammations in stomach, liver, kidneys. An anti-emetic plant which treats anxiety, insomnia.

In menstruation disorders, infusion of the grass is mixed with black pepper. Lemon grass mixed with twice its oil is used locally for rheumatic joints, lumbago and sprains and neuralgia. Local application of the leaves is useful in treating ringworms.

Dosage

Lemon grass made from fresh or dried leaves, 1-2 teaspoonful in boiling water. Useful in cosmetics industry for production of essential oils, hair, and body care products and perfumes. The plant has strong useful repellant properties. Aromatherapists recommend lemon grass oil massaged into joints and muscles to relieve stiffness.

Scientific Research

Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal activities: the grass inhibits fram-pissitive organisms. This is mainly due the consistent neral and geranial. As analysis study has been shown when infusion of lemon grass was given to rats, it has sedative and pain relief properties.

Lemon grass oil has anti-fungal properties because it inhibits growth of candida albicans and other types of fungi (Pattnaiket’al, 1996). Lemon grass is contra-indicated in pregnancy.

Daily dosage: 2g of dried leaf in 150ml of water. Two fresh leaves mined leaves or 2gm of powdered dried leaf.