KJC Medicinal Garden

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Majjigehullu
Cymbopogon citratus


Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Cymbopogon
Species: C. citratus
Common Names: lemon grass
Native to tropical plant native to Maritime Southeast Asia

Other plants of the same genus with medicinal properties

    Cymbopogon nardus
    Cymbopogon winterianus
    Cymbopogon flexuosus
Morphology:
  • They contain simple, bluish-green leaves with entire margins and are linear in shape.
  • The blades tend to be 18–36 inches long.
  • Like other grasses, the leaves also have parallel venation.

Uses in Tradition systems of medicine

  • Cymbopogon citratus is one of the most used plants in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of nervous and gastrointestinal disturbances.
  • Lemongrass might help prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast
  • Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain and swelling, reduce fever, improve levels of sugar and cholesterol in the blood, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow.
  • Served herbal tea.
Nutritional Properties
  • Vitamin A and C
  • Mineral- potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), phytate and phosphorus (P).
  • Protein: Energy-99 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates-25.31 g
  • Protein-1.82 g
  • Total Fat-0.49 g
  • Cholesterol-0 mg

Suggested Medicinal Properties

  • Antispasmodic
  • Hypotensive
  • Anticonvulsant
  • Analgesic
  • Antiemetic
  • Antitussive
  • Antirheumatic
  • Antiseptic
  • Treatment for nervous and gastrointestinal disorders and fevers

Active Phytochemicals
1. Citral [3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal]

2. Nerol [ 3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol]:

3. Geraniol [3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol]

4. Citronellal [3,7-Dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol]

5. Terpinolene [4-Methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-1,3-cyclohexadiene]

6. Geranyl acetate [3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-yl acetate]

7. Myrecene [7-Methyl-3-methylideneocta-1,6-diene]

8. Terpinol Methylheptenone [6-Methyl-5-hepten-2-one]

References


• Plants data base. Cymbopogon citrates, inc. c2003. Available from: http://www.plantsdatabase.com/ botanary/go/1728 .
• "Cymbopogon citratus". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
• "Cymbopogon citratus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).