Botanical Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus
Family: Poaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Genus: Cymbopogon
Species: C. flexuosus
Common Names:Lemongrass, Cochin grass, Malabar grass.
Habitat:Cymbopogon flexuosus is native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand.
Description:
Cymbopogon citratus is an evergreen Perennial grass, growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1.5 m (5ft) at a fast rate.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Edible Uses:
The heart of the young shoots is eaten as a vegetable with rice. The basal portions of the leafy shoots have a delicious lemon-like aroma and are used as a flavouring in soups, sauces and curries. Older leaves can be cooked with other foods in order to impart their lemon-like flavour. They are removed before serving. A refreshing tea can be brewed from the leaves. It can be served hot or cold. It can be sweetened with sugar. The essential oil is used as a flavouring in the food industry in soft drinks and various foods
Medicinal Uses:
Its essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the freshly cut leaves, or it can be extracted using alcohol.
Lemongrass has traditionally been used for digestion and purification. According to Battaglia, lemongrass is considered a stimulant for the digestive system and is recommended for colitis, gastroenteritis, and indigestion. Lemongrass is also, according to Battaglia, referred to as the connective tissue oil. It is recommended in the after-care of sports injuries, sprains, dislocations, and bruises.
Gary Young suggests lemongrass for bladder infection, parasites, edema, fluid retention, kidney disorders, varicose veins and torn ligaments. Young says lemongrass may help improve digestion, circulation, and eye sight, as well as combat infections, respiratory problems, headaches, sore throat.
Young also says lemongrass tones and helps regenerate connective tissues and ligaments, strengthen vascular walls, and promotes lymph flow.
The leaf extract is used as balm to cure head-ache of the
children.
Other Uses:
Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Specimen. Agroforestry Uses: A good soil conditioner in worn out land. The plants quickly produce a bulk of organic material which soon rots down, attracting worms and other beneficial creatures and quickly enriching the soil. A row of lemongrass plants can be used as a divider in the garden – it can help to contain more invasive plants such as sweet potato, and also as a barrier to prevent weeds growing into the garden. The grass is useful for soil improvement and erosion control. Other Uses An essential oil obtained from the plant is used in perfumery, scenting soaps, hair oils, cosmetics and as an insect repellent. It is also used in the synthesis of vitamin A. It is cytotoxic, which could be exploited for pesticidal or chemotherapeutic agents. It has insecticidal, larvicidal, nematicidal, pro-oxidative, repellent activity and is a vasorelaxant.
The leaves of the grasses are kept in the boxes as insect repellent. The whole plant is used for thatching of poultry and it is said that the poultry birds remain healthy in this shade.
Known Hazards Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbopogon_flexuosus
https://joshealthcorner.blogspot.com/2013/04/lemongrass-cymbopogon-flexuosus.html
http://www.crdeepjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Vol-3-3-1-IJBAS.pdf
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cymbopogon+citratus
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