Medicinal properties of lemongrass

Internal use

• Antispasmodic, digestive tonic and calming properties: treatment of digestive and intestinal disorders; reduction of flatulence and cramps.
• Bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and hypotensive properties (decoction): against fever and colds or flu-like conditions.
• Sedative action on the nervous system: against insomnia, stress and anxiety.

External use

• Painkiller: calms joint pain (arthritis), rheumatism.
• Muscle relaxantTreatment of sprains, tendonitis and strains.
• Tonic: in case of fever or fatigue, including mental fatigue.
• Repellent action: against insects, especially mosquitoes.

Usual therapeutic indications

Digestive and gastrointestinal disorders; fever, flu; joint and muscle pain; rheumatism fatigue, insomnia, stress, anxiety.

Other proven therapeutic indications

Dental pain, skin problems such as acne and cellulite, helps with weight loss (diuretic action).

History of the use of citronella in phytotherapy

While the medicinal properties of lemongrass have been known since ancient Egypt, on the Indian subcontinent the plant has been used for even longer. In the West Indies, it is a traditional remedy for reducing fever, while in Africa it is used to treat conditions such as tuberculosis and malaria. In tropical countries, it is often planted around houses to keep insects away.

Botanical description of lemongrass

A perennial plant with rhizomes (underground stems), lemongrass has only the smell it gives off when its leaves are crumpled in common with lemons. Native to southern India and Sri Lanka, this plant of the Poaceae (or grass) family also grows in the tropical regions of the Caribbean and Africa, where it is commonly used as a medicinal plant. Lemongrass is a herbaceous plant with long, narrow, linear, blue-green leaves with sharp edges. These leaves, with branch-like peduncles, are 90 cm to 2 m long. The stem of the lemongrass is hollow and bulbous: it is its base that is used in cooking to flavour dishes. Lemongrass has given its name to other plants which should not be confused with it: the lemon verbena Lemon balm and lemon aurone.