COMMON NAME: Lemongrass, West Indian Lemongrass, Madagascar Lemongrass, Guatemala Lemongrass

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cymbopogon citratus, Andropogon citratus, A. schoenathaus

FAMILY NAME: Poaceae (grass)

INDIGENOUS COUNTRY: Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION: Argentina, West Indies, Guatemala, Africa, India

HISTORY INFORMATION: In Indian medicine, it is used for infectious illness, fever, menstrual and digestion problems, and applied it to the skin to treat ringworm. In Brazil, it is used to calm nervousness and for stomach disorders. In Thailand, it is a favorite herb for flavoring food dishes.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Before WWII, India was the main producer of lemongrass. After, the West Indies began production of lemongrass and they are now considered the best source of it. Both areas still produce lemongrass, but there is a difference in the chemical proportions of the oils. The West Indies' has higher citral and limonene content than the East Indian, which has a higher farnesol content. The East Indian is more yin in character and therefore more calming and soothing. Lemongrass is used with animals for external parasites and internally for indigestion and gas. Battaglia calls this lemongrass the connective tissue oil. He says that it tightens the elastin fibers in the epedermis and subcutis making this oil ideal for after-care in sport injuries, bruises, dislocations, and sprains.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT: A perennial grass with sword-like leaves growing up to 6 feet high.

PARTS PROCESSED: Finely chopped fresh and dried grass.

PROCESSING METHODS: Steam distilled.

COLOR RANGE: Yellow, amber to reddish brown.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Class: Aldehyde. Citral greater than 85%, myrcene, limonene, dipentene, linalool, geraniol, nerol.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS AND USES: Analgesic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, calmative, carminative, deodorant, deodorizer, depurative, digestive, disinfectant, diuretic, galactagogue, insect repellent, insecticide, nervine, parasiticide, regulator (parasympathetic system), reviving, sedative, stimulant (circulatory system), stomachic, tonic, tonifying (skin). Used to improve digestion, to balance the nervous system, calm, reduce stress, promote sleep, to open breathing and sinus passages, uplift moods, revive, improve alertness, to reduce inflammation and swollen tissues, to tone the skin, increase lactation and repel insects.

MENTAL USES: If a situation is causing extreme painful feelings, it means you are holding negative thoughts that need to be countered. These thoughts are different with each of us, and you may need help with this.

EMOTIONAL USES: Sorrow, grief, suffering, hopeless, negative, victimized TO emotional flow, ease in dealing with emotions, emotional experiences no longer scare you, happier, more depth of feeling.

SPIRITUAL USES: Can indicate that your thoughts have created a negative environment allowing the formation of emotional blocks. These need to be cleared so that the system can be lightened. Lemongrass purges the solar plexus of blocked emotional energy which can have an effect (sometimes painful) on the digestive system releasing intestinal blockages. This can lead to more positive thoughts and feelings. This can bring deeper meaning to what you feel and think as you move beyond your narrow or limiting belief system.

APPLICATIONS: Aroma lamp, bath (with proper fixed oil), compress, diffusor, food and drink, hair products, inhaler, light bulb ring, lotion, massage, mist spray.

WARNINGS\CONTRAINDICATIONS: Nontoxic, skin irritant, avoid in pregnancy, powerful releaser of blocked emotion - use with caution.