Cymbopogon, also known as lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, oily heads, Cochin grass, Malabar grass, citronella grass or fever grass, is a genus of
Asian,
African,
Australian, and tropical island plants in the
grass family.[5][6][7][8][9]
Some species (particularly Cymbopogon citratus) are commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that of
lemons (Citrus limon).
The name cymbopogon derives from the Greek words kymbe (κύμβη, 'boat') and pogon (πώγων, 'beard') "which mean [that] in most species, the hairy spikelets project from boat-shaped spathes."[10] Lemongrass and its oil are believed to possess therapeutic properties.[9][11][12]
Uses
Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus) grow to about 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet) and have magenta-colored base stems. These species are used for the production of
citronella oil, which is used in soaps, as an
insect repellent (especially mosquitoes and houseflies) in insect sprays and candles, and aromatherapy. The principal chemical constituents of citronella,
geraniol and
citronellol, are
antiseptics, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps. Besides oil production, citronella grass is also used for culinary purposes as a flavoring.
In India, C. citratus is used as a medical herb and in perfumes. C. citratus is consumed as a tea for anxiety in Brazilian folk medicine,[13] but a study in humans found no effect.[14] The tea caused a recurrence of
contact dermatitis in one case.[15]
Other
Folk magic
In
Hoodoo, lemongrass is the primary ingredient of
van van oil, one of the most popular oils used in conjure.[16] Lemongrass is used in this preparation and on its own in hoodoo to protect against evil, spiritually clean a house, and to bring good luck in love affairs.[17]
^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:
10.1016/j.phymed.2007.04.007.
PMID17561386.
^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.
doi:
10.1016/0378-8741(86)90074-7.
PMID2429120.
^Greer, John Michael (2016). The New Encyclopedia of the Occult (First ed.). Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. p. 500.
ISBN978-1-56718-336-8.
^Yronwode, Catherine (2002). Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic: A Materia Magica of African-American Conjure. Forestville, California: Lucky Mojo Curio Company. p. 123.
ISBN978-0-9719612-0-3.
Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cymbopogon.
Akhila, Anand (2010). Essential Oil-Bearing Grasses - The genus Cymbopogon. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
ISBN978-0-8493-7857-7.