| Lemon grass | ||||||||||||||||
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| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||
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| Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf,[1] 1906 |
Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemon grass as well as oil grass, is a tropical plant from Southeast Asia which is often sold in stem form. Its leaves are used to make tea which can relieve stomach and gut problems. It can also act as an antidepressant and as a mood enhancer. While it can be grown in warmer temperate regions (such as UK) it is not hardy to frost. In Brazilian folk medicine it is believed to have anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties,[2] but at least one study has found no effect in humans.[3]
In the Philippines
Abundant in the Philippines, and 65- to 85-% citral, Cymbopogon citratus contains active ingredients like myrcene, an antibacterial and pain reliever, citronella, citronellol and geranilol. NGO Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (Adfi) established in Mambugsay, South of Negros and Escalante, Negros Occidental lemon grass essential oil production, via distillery plants which extract the oil. 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.[4]
References
- ^ "Cymbopogon citratus information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?12797. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
- ^ Blanco MM, Costa CA, Freire AO, Santos JG, Costa M (March 2009). "Neurobehavioral effect of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus in mice". Phytomedicine 16 (2-3): 265–70. doi:. PMID 17561386.
- ^ Leite JR, Seabra Mde L, Maluf E, et al. (July 1986). "Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects on humans". J Ethnopharmacol 17 (1): 75–83. PMID 2429120.
- ^ Inquirer.net, ‘Tanglad’ goes mainstream, yields essential oils
External links
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