Cymbopogon citratus

Lemon grass
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Cymbopogon
Species:	C. citratus
Binomial name
Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf,[1] 1906

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemon grass or oil grass, is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia.

Culinary uses

Cymbopogon citratus is abundant in the Philippines where it's known as tanglad. Its fragrant leaves are traditionally used in cooking, particularly for lechon and roasted chicken.^[2]

Medicinal uses

Cymbopogon citratus is often sold in stem form. While it can be grown in warmer temperate regions (such as UK) it is not hardy to frost.

In the folk medicine of Brazil it is believed to have anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties,^[3][4] but at least one study has found no effect on humans.^[5] Laboratory studies have shown cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties in vitro.^[6][7][8] Citronellol is an essential oil constituent from the Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon winterianus and Lippia alba which are thought to possess antihypertensive properties. Citronellol has been shown lower blood pressure, in rats, by a direct effect on the vascular smooth muscle leading to vasodilation.^[9] In a small randomised controlled trial Cymbopogon citratus (tea?) has been used as an inexpensive remedy for the treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients.^[10]

It contains 65-85% citral and active ingredients like myrcene, an antibacterial and pain reliever, citronella, citronellol and geranilol. Hydro steam distillation, condensation and cooling were used to separate the oil from the water. Hydrosol or Hydrolat, as a by-product of the distillation process, is a pure natural water or plant water essence used for the production of skin care products such as lotions, creams and facial cleansing toner in its pure form. The main products are organic unadulterated lemon grass oil (for industrial users), and “Negros Oil” (mixture of lemon grass oil with virgin coconut oil) used in aromatherapy.^[11]

References

1. ^ "Cymbopogon citratus information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?12797. Retrieved 2008-03-02. 
2. ^ "Tanglad / Lemongrass". Market Manila. August 21, 2006. http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/tanglad-lemongrass. Retrieved July 27, 2011. 
3. ^ Blanco MM, Costa CA, Freire AO, Santos JG, Costa M (March 2009). "Neurobehavioral effect of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus in mice". Phytomedicine 16 (2-3): 265–70. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2007.04.007. PMID 17561386. 
4. ^ Rodrigues, Eliana & Carlini, E.A. (2006): Plants with possible psychoactive effects used by the Krahô Indians, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria 28(4): 277-282. PDF fulltext
5. ^ Leite JR, Seabra Mde L, Maluf E, et al. (July 1986). "Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects on humans". J Ethnopharmacol 17 (1): 75–83. doi:10.1016/0378-8741(86)90074-7. PMID 2429120. 
6. ^ Anti-inflammatory activity of Cymbopogon citratus leaf infusion in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated dendritic cells: contribution of the polyphenols. Figueirinha A. Cruz MT. Francisco V. Lopes MC. Batista MT. Journal of Medicinal Food. 13(3):681-90, 2010 Jun
7. ^ Inhibitory effect of citral on NO production by suppression of iNOS expression and NF-kappa B activation in RAW264.7 cells. Lee HJ. Jeong HS. Kim DJ. Noh YH. Yuk DY. Hong JT. Archives of Pharmacal Research. 31(3):342-9, 2008 Mar.s.
8. ^ Suppression of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators by Cymbopogon citratus D. Stapf extract in lipopolysaccharide stimulated murine alveolar macrophages. Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Oct;48(10):2913-9 Authors: Tiwari M, Dwivedi UN, Kakkar P
9. ^ Hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of citronellol, a monoterpene alcohol, in rats. Bastos JF. Moreira IJ. Ribeiro TP. Medeiros IA. Antoniolli AR. De Sousa DP. Santos MR. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 106(4):331-7, 2010 Apr.
10. ^ Treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients with lemon juice and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and gentian violet. Wright SC. Maree JE. Sibanyoni M. Phytomedicine. 16(2-3):118-24, 2009 Mar.
11. ^ Inquirer.net, ‘Tanglad’ goes mainstream, yields essential oils

External links

• Cymbopogon citratus List of Chemicals (Dr. Duke's)
• Cymbopogon citratusfrom the Biodiversity Heritage Library