Lemongrass
Botanical Description & Habitat
Cymbopogon citratus
Family
Gramineae
Common names
Cochin lemongrass
Cow lemongrass
Guatemala lemongrass
Madagascar lemongrass
West Indian lemongrass
Description:
Perennial grass, native to tropicla Asia.
Habitat
Cultivated in the West Indies, Central and South America, Africa, and tropical Asia.
Medicinal parts
Leaves
Historical Properties & Uses
Lemongrass contains essential oils (mainly citral), alkaloid, saponin, and other substances. The plant is used in both eastern and western cultures as a carminative and stomachic for headaches and stomach aches. It is also used as a mild pain killer for other conditions, including rheumatism.
Lemongrass has been used in Cuba for hypotensive, antirheumatic and anticatarrhal properties. (Carbajal, 1989)
Lemongrass has effective antibacterial and antifungal properties, as well as a mild depressant effect on the central nervous system.
The characteristics of lemongrass have been experimentally verified.
This herb has not achieved approval status by the German Commission E. Either there was insufficient evidence in favor, or a contraindication.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
East and West Indian lemongrass are quite similar; both will simply be called lemongrass in the following paragraphs. Both plants have very high citral content (65%-85%).
Lemongrass has antibacterial and antifungal properties
Lemongrass is antibacterial against gram negative and especially, gram positive organisms. Among the organisms inhibited were Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella enteritidis.
Antifungal properties have been discovered in lemon grass.
Lemongrass is antipyretic, analgesic, antioxidant, and depressant
Its analgesic, antipyretic, and antioxidant properties have been confirmed by basic research. The herb also displayed a central nervous system depressant property.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
Lemongrass' analgesic effects may be additive with other analgesics and anesthetics. Conversely, they may be inhibited by barbiturates, despite any CNS-depressant effects which may occur.
The analgesic property of lemongrass may be reversed, or even eliminated, by P-chlorophenylalanine, cyproheptadine HCl, and phenobarbital.
The CNS depressant tendency of this analgesic herb may be potentiated by chlorproxthixene HCl, haloperidol, and tranquilizers.
Comments
There is evidence combined use of bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents will lower the effectiveness of the bacteriostatic agent. How this finding applies to herbal anti-infectives is still unknown.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Lemongrass oil may be mildly irritating to the skin, but the whole herb is nontoxic.
The German Commission E notes the possibility for toxic alveolitis from inhaling an undetermined amount of the oil.
It is considered to be a useful placebo.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Oil (produced by steam distillation of leaf)
0.05-0.2 ml
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Carbajal, D et al., J. Ethnopharmacology, 1989, 25:103.
Clark, T.H., A.H. Conney & B.P. Harpole, et.al. 1967. Drug interactions that can affect your patients. Pat Care, 1(11) p. 33-71.
Drug package insert (FDA approved official brochure) and other labeling based on sponsored clinical investigations and New Drug Application data.
Facts and Comparisons. The Lawrence Review of Natural Products. Oct, 1989.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. MacMillan, NY.
Gyane, D.O. Drug Cosmet. India, 118(5), 36, 1976.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis).
Kodate, C.K. & Varma, K.C. Sci. Cult., 37, 196, 1971.
Leung, Albert Y. 1980. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredient used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 409 pp.
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Maruzzella, J.C. & N.A. Sircurella. Antibacterial activity of essential oil vapors. J Of The Am Pharm Assoc. 49(11), 692-694, 1960.
Maruzzela, J.C. & M.B. Lichtenstein. The in vitro antibacterial activity of oils. J. Of The Am. Pharm. Ass. 45(6), 378-381, 1956.
Melmon, K., H.F. Morelli, J.A. Oates, et. al. 1967. Drug interactions that can affect your patients. Pat Care, Nov. pp. 33-71.
Millspaugh, C.F. Am Medicinal Plants. Dover Publications, Inc. New York, NY. l974.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Ngai, S.H., L.C. Mark & E.M. Papper. 1970. Pharmacologic and physiologic aspects of anesthesiology. N Eng J of Med, 282 p. 479-491.
Opdyke, D.L.J. Food Cosmetics And Toxicology, 13(Supplement), 713, 1975.
Ramadan, F.M., H.T. El-zanfaly, A.M. Alian & F.A. El-wakeil. Antibacterial effects of some essential oils. II. Semisolid agar phase. Chem. Mikrobiol. Technol. Lebensm. 1, 96-102, 1972.
Rao, B.G.V.N. & Joseph, P.L. Riechst. Aromen. Koerperpflegem. 21, 405, 1971.
Seth, G., et. al. Indian J Of Exper Biol, 14, 370, 1976.
Stuart, D.M. 1968. Drug metabolism Part 2. Drug interactions. PharmIndex, 10(10). pp. 4-16.
Essential Oil
See Lemongrass Essence under Aromatherapy
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