Background

• Lemongrass is grown in Guatemala, India, Paraguay, England, Sri Lanka, China, and other parts of Indochina, Africa, Central America, and South America. It has been used traditionally to lower high blood pressure and as an anti-inflammatory. In India, lemongrass is used as a medicinal herb and in perfumes. It is also used in Brazilian folk medicine in a tea called abafado, as a sedative, for gastrointestinal problems, and for fever. Lemongrass oil has a fresh, strong, lemon-like, and pungent odor and is used in deodorants, herbal teas, skin care products, fragrances, and insect repellents, and for aromatherapy.
• Research is being conducted to examine the potential antimalarial, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties of lemongrass. Currently, there is very little scientific evidence investigating the use of lemongrass in humans.

References

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