檸檬草.Lemon Grass

 Describe:

     Botanical name: Cymbopogon citratus, formerly known as Andropogon schoenanthus.

 Grows abundantly in India and is cultivated in Ceylon, Uganda and the Seychelles. Its

scent comes from the active ingredient Citral. Variteies: C. nardus; C. martine.    

Lemongrass, a perennial herb widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics, designates two different species, East Indian, Cymbopogon flexuosus (DC.) Stapf., and West Indian, Cymbopogon citratus (DC. ex Nees) Stapf. East Indian lemongrass, also known as cochin or Malabar grass is native to India, while West Indian lemongrass is native to southern India and Ceylon. The lemongrasses are cultivated commercially in Guatemala, India, the People's Republic of China, Paraguay, England, Sri Lanka, and other parts of Indochina, Africa, Central America, and South America (11.1-73). The plant grows in dense clumps up to 2 meters in diameter and has leaves up to 1 meter long. 

The reported life zone for lemongrass is 18 to 29 degrees centigrade with an annual precipitation of 0.7 to 4.1 meters with a soil pH of 5.0 to 5.8 (East Indian) or 4.3 to 8.4 (West Indian) (14.1-9). The plants need a warm, humid climate in full sun. They grow well in sandy soils with adequate drainage. Since the plants rarely flower or set seed, propagation is by root or plant division. The plants are harvested mechanically or by hand about four times each year with the productive populations lasting between four and eight years (14.1-9). Extensive breeding programs have developed many varieties of lemongrass. 

The quality of lemongrass oil is generally determined by the content of citral, the aldehyde responsible for the lemon odor. Some other constituents of the essential oils are -terpineol, myrcene, citronellol, methyl heptenone, dipentene, geraniol, limonene, nerol, and farnesol (14.1-9). West Indian oil differs from East Indian oil in that it is less soluble in 70 percent alcohol and has a slightly lower citral content (14.1-9).

 Lemongrass is used in herbal teas and other nonalcoholic beverages in baked goods, and in confections. Oil from lemongrass is widely used as a fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics, such as soaps and creams. Citral, extracted from the oil, is used in flavoring soft drinks in scenting soaps and detergents, as a fragrance in perfumes and cosmetics, and as a mask for disagreeable odors in several industrial products. Citral is also used in the synthesis of ionones used in perfumes and cosmetics (11.1-73, 14.1-9). 

As a medicinal plant, lemongrass has been considered a carminative and insect repellent. West Indian lemongrass is reported to have antimicrobial activity (1.8-84, 1.8-130). Oil of West Indian lemongrass acts as a central nervous system depressant (7.6-187). Oil of East Indian lemongrass has antifungal activity (1.8-132). The volatile oils may also have some pesticide and mutagenic activities (11.1-96, 11.1-136). 

Cymbopogon nardus is a source of citronella oil. Cymbopogon martinii is reportedly toxic to fungi (1.8-53).

Lemongrass is generally recognized as safe for human consumption as a plant extract/essential oil.  

Lemongrass is an herb with a plethora of uses medicinally, from being a stomach soother to being an effective insect repellant and fungicide.  A limited study done at the University of Wisconsin revealed that some people taking prepared Lemongrass capsules (140 mg) daily for three months experienced a significant reduction in cholesterol levels, and that their cholesterol levels returned to their previous highs when they stopped taking the preparation. Obviously, this indicates that Lemongrass may help reduce cholesterol in certain individuals. 

 Make a Tea and drink 1-4 cups per day to relieve congestion, coughing, bladder disorders, headaches, fever, stomach aches, digestive problems, diarrhea, gas, bowel spasms, vomiting, flu symptoms, as a mild sedative, and to promote perspiration - and as a possible cholesterol lowering agent.  Rather than discarding the tea bags, use them externally for the problems described below.  An Oil can also be made, 3-6 drops of which can be put on a sugar cube for the same purposes as above. The leaves can also be dried and made into a powder for use in Capsules.  Please see the link below for more details.

 Externally, an Oil can be made with Lemongrass to be applied at 10 drops or so directly to the affected area in cases of athlete's foot, cuts, scrapes, lower back pain, sciatica, sprains, tendonitis, neuralgia, circulatory problems, and rheumatism. It can also be tried on the face to help clear up acne and clean skin pores, and the fresh leaves can be crushed and rubbed on the skin as an on-the-spot outdoor insect repellent.  

Use Lemongrass in the bath for a soothing aromatherapy experience by placing a mesh bag with a handful of leaves under the running bath water, then letting the bag soak in the water with bathe.  Very relaxing.   

Lemongrass is considered a sedative for the nervous system and a valuable anti-inflammatory. It assists the digestive, urinary, musculoskeletal, circulatory and nervous systems. 

Said to be an analgesic (pain deadening), an anti-coagulant (prevents clotting), an antidepressant (helps alleviate depression), an anti-inflammatory (alleviates inflammation--swelling, redness, heat and pain), an antimicrobial (resists and prevents pathogenic microbes), an anti-oxidant (prevents/delays oxidation/deterioration), an antipyretic (reduces fever), an antiseptic (destroys and prevents development of microbes--e.g. viruses, pathogenic bacteria), an astringent (causes organic tissue contraction), a bactericidal (destroys bacteria), a carminative (relieves flatulence/gas; settles digestive system), a deodorant (removes/hides/corrects odors), a febrifuge (combats fever), a fungicidal (prevents/combats fungal infection), a galactagogue (increases secretion of milk), an insecticide (repels insects), a nervine (strengthening/toning the nervous system), a sedative (calming nerves/nervous system), and a tonic (strengthens body). 

The grass is stimulant, diuretic, tonic, aromatic, antispasmodic and a mild counter-irritant. It increases secretion and discharge of urine. Oil distilled from its leaves is used for medicinal purposes. It promotes good digestion, and a preparation of lemon grass with pepper has been used for relief of menstrual troubles and nausea. It induces perspiration, to cool the body and reduce a fever. Relieves spasms, muscle cramps, rheumatism and headaches.

EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS IN CITRAL CONTENT IN LEMONGRASS IN DIFFERENT SEASONS:

 Effect of growth regulators in citral content in lemongrass in different seasons The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators in yield citral content in lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (D.C.) Stapf), in different seasons. The field experiment was conducted on Sao Manuel Experimental Farm, Agronomical Science College, Paulista Estatal University, Botucatu, Brazil, which soil was classified in alic yellon red latosol (Haplorthox). Plants were randommly assigned blocks to treatments with three repetitions. The experimental groups consisted of GA3 (50 and 100 mg.l-1);Ethrel (100 and 200 mgl-1); CCC (500 and 1000 mg.l-1); Alar 85 (1000 and 2000 mg.l-1); Accel (20 and 40 mg.l-1) and control group. Five applications of plant growth regulators were realized every other three months. After 40 days of each foliar spray, the plants were cut and determined the citral yield. The essential oils were extracted from leaf tissue by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus. Samples of 250g of leaf and put in Clevenger apparatus with deionized water for 3h to determine the yield of essential oil. The citral content was analyzed by GC. In the present study the concentrations of plant growth regulators used did not increase citral content. 

Active Ingredients: 

 Lemongrass contains: 0.2-0.4% essential oil; acetone; 4.3% ash; 3.7% calcium; alpha-camphorene; caprylic acid; caryophyllene; ceryl alcohol; chromium; 1,8-cineole; 0.1-0.34% citral; citronellal; citronellic acid; cobalt; cymbopogone; cymbopogonol; citrolnellol; 0.02% cymbopogonol (leaf wax); decanal; n-Decylaldehyde; diacetyl; dihydropsuedoionone; dipentene; farnesal; farnesol; 7.1% fat; furfural; geranic acid; geraniol; geranyl acetate; hexacosanol; iron; isopulegol; isovaleraldehyde; isovaleric acid; limonene; l-linalool; linalyl-acetate; luteolin; luteolin glycoside; magnesium; manganese; methyl heptenol; methyl heptenone; myrcene; neral; nerol; 2.1% phosphorus; alpha pinene; 2.3% potassium; 8.2% protein; quercetin; rutin; saponin; selenium; silicon; beta-sitosterol; sodium; alpha-terpineol; tin; triacontanol; zinc. Fresh lemongrass contains approximately 80% water.

Changes in Essential Oil during Enzyme-Assisted Ensiling of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf.) and Lemon Eucalyptus: 

Changes in essential oil during ensiling of lemongrass and lemon eucalyptus were studied. Wilted lemongrass and eucalyptus leaves were ensiled in 0.25-L anaerobic jars. Samples consisted of a control (no additives) and a treated sample (0.5% glucose and lactic acid bacteria and 1% cellulase plus 1% hemicellulase plus pectinase). Three jars per treatment were sampled on days 2, 6, 10, and 36 for analysis of essential oil. Essential oil was obtained by extraction and by hydrodistillation. Extraction efficacy of essential oil from the lemongrass was improved by the enzyme treatment, but it was much lower than the amount obtained by distillation. The major components of the essential oil were neral and geranial. In the eucalyptus, total essential oils obtained by distillation decreased during ensiling, and the amount was similar to the amount obtained by extraction. Citronellal, which was the major component of the essential oil in the fresh eucalyptus leaves, decreased, whereas isopulegol and 3,8-terpinolhydrate increased during ensiling.

Using Lemongrass Essential oil:

 Lemongrass is very helpful for treating certain skin conditions such as Acne, rough skin patches, open pores and the link. Many have found that adding a few drops to OTC skin treatment products had greatly enhanced them. Skin oils may also be made by mixing Lemongrass with Sweet almond or jojoba oil.  

Used in a messageoil, Lemongrass may help headaches, stress related conditions, muscular pain, sagging body skin, poor circulation and muscle ton. To create a simple message oil, use about 4 tablespoons of a light oil such as jojoba and add 4 to 6 drops of essential oil. Mix well and apply in a circular motion (see Aromassage Article for more information on the subject) to spot in need of relief. Lemongrass is also gentile enough to be added to baths, in bathoil form or straight from the bottle.  

Having a fresh , green almost lemon like scent, Lemongrass can be blended with other essential oils such as Lavender, Juniper, Rose, Geranium and Eucalyptus. Lemongrass is a top note oil (see Perfume Making article for more information) and will evaporate quickly in a blend. To help prevent this and add extra aromatic qualities, pure, natural honey may be added.  

Today, as with many other essential oils, it is used as flavoring for food, alcoholic and softdrinks, a compound in soaps, detergents and cosmetics, the fresh leaves have been traditionally used in Thai cooking for many years to give dishes a lemon flavor. The perfume industry has found that Lemongrass can give almost the same effect in blends as more expensive scents such as verbena and melissa, therefore making the price of the product less expensive. Make sure you read labels of the aforementioned essential oils carefully to be certain they haven’t been adulterated with Lemongrass which will diminish their effects.  

Studies and References:

 Abstract - Effect of Lemon Grass Extract on Hepatic and Intestinal Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Enzymes (Somsakul Thumvijit, M.S. Biochemistry)