This is a fast growing, tall perennial grass which is native to Asia. There are two types – East Indian and West Indian, both being widely used in cooking, aromatherapy and medicine. The blades of grass are used in each case.
Medicinal Properties of Lemongrass
It contains a volatile oil which is made up of 65%-85% citral, amongst many other compounds. It is analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-pyretic (reduces fever), deodorant, insecticide, sedative, nervine, carminative (wind relieving) and galactagogue (stimulates breast milk).
Lemongrass Herbal Remedies
Historically Lemongrass has been used to treat a number of conditions including:
Anxiety and stress
Athletes foot (topically)
Dandruff (topically added to shampoo)
Depression
Excessive perspiration
Fever
Headaches
Lice (topically)
Muscle pains
Other Lemongrass Information
It is normally available and can be made into a herbal tea for internal use, although it is more commonly used as an aromatherapy oil for topical applications and is an excellent skin tonic. Lemongrass can even be used as a natural insecticide to rid the kitchen / home of flies.
Side Effects of Lemongrass
Safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been sufficiently studied (internal treatment), but as an aromatherapy oil for topical application Lemongrass should be fine.
At the time of writing there are no well-known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications from lemongrass.
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