Cymbopogon citratus
Encyclopedia
Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemon grass or oil grass, is a tropical plant
from Southeast Asia
.
where it's known as tanglad. Its fragrant leaves are traditionally used in cooking, particularly for lechon
and roasted chicken.
to frost.
In the folk medicine
of Brazil
it is believed to have anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties, but at least one study has found no effect on humans. Laboratory studies have shown cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties in vitro
. Citronellol is an essential oil constituent from the Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon winterianus and Lippia alba which are thought to possess antihypertensive properties. Citronellol has been shown lower blood pressure, in rats, by a direct effect on the vascular smooth muscle leading to vasodilation. In a small randomised controlled trial Cymbopogon citratus (tea?) has been used as an inexpensive remedy for the treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients.
It contains 65-85% citral
and active ingredients like myrcene, an antibacterial and pain reliever, citronella
, citronellol
and geranilol. Hydro steam distillation, condensation and cooling were used to separate the oil from the water. Hydrosol or Hydrolat, as a by-product
of the distillation process, is a pure natural water or plant water essence used for the production of skin care products such as lotions, creams and facial cleansing toner in its pure form. The main products are organic unadulterated lemon grass oil (for industrial users), and “Negros Oil” (mixture of lemon grass oil with virgin coconut oil) used in aromatherapy
.
Plant
Plants are living organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Precise definitions of the kingdom vary, but as the term is used here, plants include familiar organisms such as trees, flowers, herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns, mosses, and green algae. The group is also called green plants or...
from Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
.
Culinary uses
Cymbopogon citratus is abundant in the PhilippinesPhilippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
where it's known as tanglad. Its fragrant leaves are traditionally used in cooking, particularly for lechon
Lechon
Lechón is a pork dish in several regions of the world, most specifically Spain and its former colonial possessions throughout the world. The word lechón originated from the Spanish term leche ; thus lechón refers to a suckling pig that is roasted...
and roasted chicken.
Medicinal uses
Cymbopogon citratus is often sold in stem form. While it can be grown in warmer temperate regions (such as UK) it is not hardyHardiness (plants)
Hardiness of plants describe their ability to survive adverse growing conditions. It is usually limited to discussions of climatic adversity. Thus a plant's ability to tolerate cold, heat, drought, flooding, or wind are typically considered measurements of hardiness. Hardiness of plants is defined...
to frost.
In the folk medicine
Folk medicine
-Description:Refers to healing practices and ideas of body physiology and health preservation known to a limited segment of the population in a culture, transmitted informally as general knowledge, and practiced or applied by anyone in the culture having prior experience.All cultures and societies...
of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
it is believed to have anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties, but at least one study has found no effect on humans. Laboratory studies have shown cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
. Citronellol is an essential oil constituent from the Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon winterianus and Lippia alba which are thought to possess antihypertensive properties. Citronellol has been shown lower blood pressure, in rats, by a direct effect on the vascular smooth muscle leading to vasodilation. In a small randomised controlled trial Cymbopogon citratus (tea?) has been used as an inexpensive remedy for the treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients.
It contains 65-85% citral
Citral
Citral, or 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal or lemonal, is either of, or a mixture of, a pair of terpenoids with the molecular formula C10H16O. The two compounds are double bond isomers. The E-isomer is known as geranial or citral A...
and active ingredients like myrcene, an antibacterial and pain reliever, citronella
Citronella
Citronella is a word used for several things, including:* Citronella , a genus of trees and shrubs in the Cardiopteridaceae* Citronella oil, an insect-repelling essential oil derived from Cymbopogon...
, citronellol
Citronellol
Citronellol, or dihydrogeraniol, is a natural acyclic monoterpenoid. Both enantiomers occur in nature. -Citronellol, which is found in citronella oils, including Cymbopogon nardus , is the more common isomer. -Citronellol is found in the oils of rose and Pelargonium geraniums.Citronellol is...
and geranilol. Hydro steam distillation, condensation and cooling were used to separate the oil from the water. Hydrosol or Hydrolat, as a by-product
By-product
A by-product is a secondary product derived from a manufacturing process or chemical reaction. It is not the primary product or service being produced.A by-product can be useful and marketable or it can be considered waste....
of the distillation process, is a pure natural water or plant water essence used for the production of skin care products such as lotions, creams and facial cleansing toner in its pure form. The main products are organic unadulterated lemon grass oil (for industrial users), and “Negros Oil” (mixture of lemon grass oil with virgin coconut oil) used in aromatherapy
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant materials, known as essential oils, and other aromatic compounds for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health....
.