- BRIEF HISTORY
Lemongrass is believed to originate from the “mana” grass (Cymbopogon confertiflorus Stapf) which grows wild in Ceylon. In 1890, a variety of lemongrass from the species Andropogon nardus L. Var. Genuinus Hack was introduced to the Economic Garden in Bogor. This variety is known as the Maha Pengiri type of lemongrass, which is superior and comes from various islands in Indonesia, including Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. Another variety, known as Lena Batu, is widely cultivated in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, but its oil quality is lower than that produced by the Maha Pengiri type. Lemongrass can thrive in regions with both hot and cold climates, up to an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level (https://ppid.pertanian.go.id/).
Lemongrass, Andropogon nardus, and Cymbopogon nardus belong to the Graminae family (grasses). The genus of these grasses comprises nearly 80 species, with the most important ones being Cymbopogon nardus and Cymbopogon winterianus. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a plant commonly found in gardens and is typically used for medicinal purposes. Lemongrass is also used as a culinary herb to flavor food. Additionally, lemongrass has anti-inflammatory properties, can alleviate pain, and improve blood circulation. Other benefits include relief from headaches, muscle pain, cough, stomach discomfort, irregular menstruation, and postpartum swelling. The roots of lemongrass are used as diuretics, sweat inducers, expectorants, mouthwash ingredients, and body warmers. Lemongrass oil is widely used as a fragrance in soaps, sprays, disinfectants, and polish (Fauzi, 2009).
- PLANT DESCRIPTION
Botanical Classification of Lemongrass
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Sub Kingdom: Tracheobionta
- Super Division: Spermatophyta
- Division: Angiospermae
- Class: Monocotyledonae
- Subclass: Commelinidae
- Order: Polaes 7
- Family: Poaceae
- Genus: Cymbopogon, Andropogon
- Species: Cymbopogon Citratus (L.), Cymbopogon nardus Redle, Cymbopogon winterianus
Description
Active compounds found in lemongrass include essential oils in its leaves, comprising citral, citronellol, apenin, camphor, sabinene, myrcene, -phellandrene, p-cymene, limonene, cis-ocimene, terpinol, citronellal, borneol, terpinene-4-ol, alpha-terpineol, geraniol, farnesol, metalhetenone, n-decimaldehyde, dipentene, metalheptanone, bornyl acetate, geranyl formate, terpinyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, geranyl acetate, -elemene, -caryophyllene, bergamot, trans-methylisoeugenol, -cadinene, elemol, and caryophyllene oxide. The compound laingeranial is found in the roots of the lemongrass plant. Lemongrass leaves and roots also contain flavonoids, including luteolin, luteolin 7-O-glucoside (cynaroside), isoskoparin, and 2”-O-rhamnosyl isoorientin. Other isolated flavonoids from the aerial parts of lemongrass include quercetin, kaempferol, and apigenin (Opeyemi Avoseh, 2015).
- PLANT BENEFITS
Lemongrass is not only useful as a culinary herb but also has various health benefits and properties in its stalk. Many people consume this plant in the form of lemongrass tea or extract its essential oil for various purposes. Some benefits and properties of lemongrass stalk are as follows:
a. Anti-Cancer
One of the primary benefits of lemongrass is its potential as an anti-cancer agent. Lemongrass contains citral, a compound that can selectively kill damaged or abnormally developing cells while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Lemongrass also contains various antioxidants like quercetin and rutin, which play a role in combating free radicals that can lead to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
b. Diabetes Management
Regular consumption of lemongrass tea can help normalize the pancreas’s function in producing insulin, potentially lowering blood sugar levels. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021) published a study on rats showing that the essential oil from lemongrass could reduce blood sugar and blood lipid levels. This effect is attributed to citronellal, which also has antioxidant properties that protect against cell damage caused by free radicals from high blood sugar.
c. Anemia Treatment
Lemongrass is known to be effective in treating anemia, a condition characterized by weakness, fatigue, and paleness, typically caused by iron deficiency in the blood, responsible for hemoglobin synthesis. Lemongrass stalks are rich in iron, making regular consumption of lemongrass tea a more potent anemia remedy than chemical medications.
d. Bacteria and Fungus Control
Lemongrass stalks have antiseptic properties that can kill both fungi and bacteria. It can effectively combat various types of fungi, especially those causing skin diseases. Lemongrass can be crushed and applied as a topical ointment for this purpose.
e. Relieving Indigestion and Bloating
A mixture of lemongrass stalks and palm sugar in tea form can provide warmth to the body. Drinking lemongrass tea can help alleviate indigestion, bloating, and associated symptoms. Additionally, lemongrass stalks can be consumed as a herbal drink, and lemongrass leaves can be extracted into essential oil, both of which provide body-warming effects.
f. Detoxification
Lemongrass stalks can aid in detoxifying the body by neutralizing toxins. The antioxidants and antiseptic properties help cleanse the liver and kidneys, resulting in increased urination as a common side effect.
g. Lowering Bad Cholesterol
Lemongrass is believed to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) without affecting good cholesterol (HDL) levels. It also contains anti-atherosclerosis properties that inhibit the formation of blood plaques due to fat, thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
h. Strengthening the Nervous System
Lemongrass contains magnesium, phosphorus, and folate, which contribute to maintaining nerve health. A healthy nervous system aids in performing activities, memory retention, and information processing.
i. Skin Ailment Treatment
The antifungal and antiseptic
