Botanical Index No. 619

Lemongrass

cymbopogon citratus

Medicinal Actions

Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antifilaric, Antimutagenic, Antioxidant, Antipyretic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Ascaricide, Astringent, Candidicide, Carminative, CNS Depressant, Contraceptive, Decongestant, Depurative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Fungicide, Glutathionigenic, Hypotensive, Insecticide, Insulinomimetic, Sedative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Tonic, Uterotonic, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Dysuria Enterosis Fatigue Fever Flu Fungus Gas Gastrosis Gingivosis Headache High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Infection Insomnia Leprosy Lumbago Malaria Myalgia Mycosis Nervousness Neuralgia Pain Parasite Pneumonia Pulmonosis Pyorrhea Rheumatism Ringworm Stomachache Toothache Tuberculosis UTI Water Retention Worm Wound Yeast Abortifacient Dentifrice Insectifuge Vermifuge Acid Indigestion Anxiety Ascaris Backache Bacteria Bronchosis Bruise Cancer Candida Catarrh Cholera Cold Congestion Cough Cramp Dermatosis Diabetes Diarrhea Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia

General Dosage

1–4 g dry leaf/cup water; 1 mashed root and 10 leaves in 3 cups water for 10 min., drink hot before retiring for fever; 15 leaves in decoction for fever.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2b. Very safe. Emmenagogue and uterotonic. TRAMIL suggest that grass teas be strained to remove fibers that may damage the stomach. Commission E reports herb and EO not permitted for therapeutic use. Allergic contact dermatosis occurs rarely. Citronella oil indicated in accidental poisoning of 21-month-old child. Volunteer testing revealed no toxic effects from lemongrass tea prepared from 4 g of plant, administered in a single dose or 2 weeks of daily oral doses. Higher amounts caused upset stomach and diarrhea in volunteers. Polyuria was also reported by some volunteers.

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