LEMON GRASS AN IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANT

History

Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), Lemon grass is native to India, Sri Lanka and South-East Asia. It is found growing naturally in tropical grasslands. It is also extensively cultivated throughout tropical Asia. , is widely used in Thai and Vietnamese cooking. This lemon scented grass is grown on a commercial scale in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and China

Lemon grass is a perennial, which means once you plant it, the grass comes back year after year. Depending on the area you live in the plant will go dormant in the winter. In harsh climates the plant will need to be potted and wintered indoors.

Cultivation in world

Lemongrass is cultivated in  India, China, Pakistan , Bengladesh Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and on the Indonesian islands. The grass has fine lemony taste that is added in various curry pastes. The fine flavor of the grass is utilized to prepare dishes in these countries. In recent years there demand has been growing in USA and European countries.

Distribution
Cultivated commercially for its fragrant leaves

 Names of Lemon Grass  in different countries and languages.

Chemical Composition
The lemongrass spice consist of essential that contains citral. Citral further consist of stereoisomeric monterpene aldehydes mixture. Lemon grass also consist of terpenoids including nerol, limonene, linalool and ß-caryophyllene

Forms of Lemongrass Herb

• Fresh herb

• Dried and powdered herb

Botany and habit

A tall perennial, throwing up dense fascicles of leaves from a short rhizome, culm stout, erect

Leaves

inear tapering upwords to a point, upto over 90 cm long, glaucous green, smooth or rough upwards and along the margins, midrib whitish on the upper side, sheaths of the culm tight, velvety at the nodes ,Leaves grow to a length of up to 1 meter, about 1-1.5 cm wide, scabrous, flate, long-acuminate, and smooth. Panicles0 are 30-80 cm long, with noding branches and branchlets. Spikelets are linear-lanceolate and pointed, about 6 mm long.
Climate for Lemon Grass Cultivation

Lemongrass is a perennial plant whose edge is sharp. The ideal climate for growing lemon grass is tropical or subtropical climate. It is grown by Propagation. Propagation is achieved by dividing the root clump. The plant can be harvested in three to five months. 
The temperature required for the cultivation of lemon grass range between 18 to 29 degrees centigrade. The annual precipitation should be around 0.7 to 4.1 meters. For better growth, the climate should be warm and humid.

Temperatures ranging from 64-84_F, and high humidity (80-100%) are best suited for cultivating lemongrass.      However, in Stanislaus County, lemongrass is successfully grown in high temperatures (70-100_F) and low relative humidity (40-60%) 

 

Soil: The plant grows best in well drained sandy soils free of weeds and soil borne pathogens such as fusarium and verticillium.      It also tolerates other types of soil including sand, if given some care. 

Propagation: Since the plants rarely flower or set fruit, propagation is usually done by dividing old clumps during springs and summers

Light: Since lemongrass utilizes sunlight very effectively, therefore it should be planted in areas of the farm exposed to the sun

Fertilization: Lemongrass requires the same nutritional requirements as sweet corn. Cultivators generally applied on the average, 120-180 lbs. of nitrogen per acre, 140-180 lbs. of phosphorous and some potassium if needed 

Irrigation: The plant requires an average of 24-30 inches of water per year, depending upon the nature of the soil, soil moisture and other environmental conditions. Irrigation is usually done on an 8-10 day schedule. However, due to the shallow root system of the crop, it is more beneficial to irrigate more often with lighter irrigations 

Harvest: Though lemongrass is a perennial crop in the tropical areas of the world, in certain places, it is seasonal due to the extremely cold weather. Under normal circumstances, it can be harvested up to four times per year

When your lemongrass plant is about 2 ½" tall and ¾" wide at the base, it is ready to be cut. Cut your plant at the stalk and leave the root to grow.
Pull a stalk up firmly close to the root end and snap it off.  Best picked just prior to using. 

• Lower back pain

• Cholesterol

• Cough

• neuralgia,

• Bladder disorders

• Headaches

• Fever

• Stomach aches

• Digestive problems

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Flu

• Rheumtism

• Diuretic

• Tendons

• Circulatory problems

• Insomnia

• Sprains

• Aids in digestion

• Relieve spasms

• Muscle cramps

• Rheumatism

• Headaches

• Nausea

How to use in different diseases

• lemon tea is useful for flatulence, digestive disorders and cramping pains.

• Lemon grass oil is helpful in gout , arthritis and sprains.

• Lemon paste is beneficial for ringworms.

• The herb is to treat fever, intestinal worm, leoprasy ,fever ,upse stomach ,cough,cold , asthma and other respiratory conditions.

• It acts as an sedative.

• The oil is used to cleanse oily skin, and in aromatherapy it is used as a relaxant

• The oil, mixed with equal amounts of coconut oil, is used as a liniment for back pains, rheumatic complains, neuralgia, sprains and other painful afflictions

• The leaves powder is useful for diarrhoea. The powder is taken one to two teaspoonfuls twice a day with water.

• The whole plant is also beneficial for skin conditions like acne, pores etc.

• Hot decoction of roots for toothaches

• It is also useful for nervous disorders.

• Decoction of leaves used as stomachic, diuretic, and refrigerant

2. Culinay uses

4.Recent uses and preparations:
Stomach discomfort, toothache, sprain, vomiting and ringworm
Preparation :
Liniment: Boil equal amounts of chopped leaves and roots with freshly made coconut oil. Also use as insect repellant.
Infusion: Mix four ounces of the grass to one pint of boiling water. 
To keep away mosquitos, plant it around your house or place crushed leaves on your window sills.

5. Other uses

Valued for its exotic citrus fragrance, it is commercially used in soaps, perfumes and as an ingredient in sachets. Lemon grass is also used commercially as the lemon scent in many products including soaps, perfumes and candles, • In India, cultivated around houses to repel snakes. Another source is the use of Cymbopogon citratus in the cosmetic industry, such as in soap - and hair care products.

USES in Different Countries
• In Cuban folk medicine, used to lower blood pressure and as anti-inflammatory.
• In Brazil, used as sedative, for gastrointestinal maladies, and as febrifuge.
• In Malaya, used as a potion after childbirth.
• In various folk medicinal use: oil used for cough, cold, hemoptysis, rheumatism, back pain, bladder problems. Surinam It is also used as an insect repellent and a carminative.

 

Lemon Grass tea

Lemongrass tea has been an ancient remedy for curing chest congestion, colds and coughs. A concoction, called as, 'kadha' is given to the patient to help him get rid of the common cold. Also, if you add a dash of pepper to lemongrass tea, it will help you ease all menstrual problems like cramps and nausea. Interestingly, lemongrass tea benefits in acne prevention and in dealing with other skin problems too. Studies have shown drinking lemongrass tea on a regular basis, prevents the skin from developing any acne or pimples. This is true, as acne is a result of bacteria, and the anti-bacterial nature of the tea, helps the skin to look good and feel good.

How to Make Lemongrass Tea

Ingredients

• Clumps of lemongrass

• Water, 1 cup

• Milk, if desired

• Sugar or honey, as per taste

• Strainer

Method

• Peel the outer layer of the leaves and discard them. The outer layers, will give your tea a bitter taste.

• Boil the water and add the clumps of peeled leaves to it.

• Let the water boil on a slow heat for around twenty minutes. This extracts all the essence of the leaves.

• Add the sweetener and boil it for another 5 minutes. If you want, you can add some milk at this point.

• Remove from the stove, strain it in a cup and drink it hot.

THE END