CHAPTER 17: Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus/Cymbopogon flexuosus)

Lemon grass/lemongrass is used as a garden ornamental plant, its strong lemon-like aroma makes it interesting to flavour foods, and it is especially popular in oriental cuisine. Its essential oil is used in aromatherapy, candle making, perfumery and cosmetics, as well as being a well known natural insect repellent. Research mainly from South America, Asia, and particularly the Far East, as well as Europe, North America, North Africa and West Africa provides evidence of lemon grass possessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive/anti-cancer, antimicrobial and anti-malarial properties. There is also some evidence, albeit small, of lemon grass' anxiolytic, analgesic, sedative, neuroprotective and hypotensive properties.