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Lemon Grass
Cymbopogon citratus
This lemony herb is a grass from the tropics, native to S. India, Sri Lanka.
It grows its arching, linear leaves to around 3 feet tall, in temperate
climates. It prefers to grow in full sun to part shade, in moist soil,
minimum of 45 degrees. On a sunny windowsill or greenhouse, it likes full
sun and a minimum of 55 degrees.The parts of Lemongrass that are used are
the leaves, stems and oil.
USES
Culinary Stalks and Leaves - chop into salads. Infuse leaves as
stomach-settling tea. The base of the leaves are used in SE Asian cooking,
especially with fish, meat, sauces and curries.
Cosmetic Add essential oil to perfumes and soaps.
Economic The essential oil is used in soaps, shampoos, perfumes and
cosmetics, and for flavorings in the food manufacturing industry. It is
important in the manufacture of vitamin A and synthetic violet perfumes.~
Medicinal The essential oil is toning, revitalizing, sedative and
antiseptic, effective against fungal and bacterial infections. It helps heal
the digestive system, circulation, muscle tone, acne and oily skin. Use the
tea or essential oil in a skin refreshener to clean oily skin and as a
relaxant in bath water. It is also used for children’s digestive problems,
and minor feverish illness. For skin health, it is used for ringworm, lice,
athlete’s foot, arthritis and scabies.
(some information obtained from "The Complete Book of Herbs“,
by Leslie Bremness, and from “Encyclopedia of Herbs” by Deni Brown)
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