Ceylon citronella

Related Terms

Abafado (Portuguese), alpha-citral, alpha-eudesmol, alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineole, Andropogon citratus, Andropogon nardus, bai mak nao (Lao), beta-citral (neral), beta-eudesmol, beta-myrcene, bhustrina (India), borneol, British Indian lemongrass, caffeic acid, camphene, capim-cidr?o (Portuguese), carene-2, caspase-3, Ceylon citronella grass, chlorogenic acid, citral, citronella oil, citronellal, citronellol, Cochin lemongrass, cryptomeridiol, (+)-cymbodiacetal, Cymbopogon ambiguus, Cymbopogon citrates, Cymbopogon citratus DC., Cymbopogon excavatus, Cymbopogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon goeringii, Cymbopogon martinii, Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopogon proximus, Cymbopogon schoenanthus L., Cymbopogon winterianus, Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt, East Indian lemongrass, elemicin, elemol, erba di limone (Italian), ess?ncia de capim-lim?o (Portuguese), essential oils, farnesol, fever grass, geraniol, geranium grass, geranyl acetate, germacrene-D, Graminaeae (family), Guatemala lemongrass, Halfa barr, herbe de citron (French), hierba de lim?n (Spanish), java citronella, lemon grass, lemon grass extract (LGE), lemon grass oil, lemon herbs, lemongrass oil, lemongrass stalk, Lg, limonene, linalool, Madagascar lemongrass, Melissa grass, MYR, myrcene, Natrapel?, neochlorogenic acid, neral, nerolidol, palmarosa, palmarosa oil, pinene, piperitone, Poaceae (family), proximadiol, Santalum acuminatum, santolinyl acetate, sera (India, Sinhalese), serai (Malay), sere (Indonesian), sereh (Indonesian), Sudanese flora, takrai (Thai), terpene beta-myrcene, West Indian lemongrass, Zitronengras (German).
Note: This review does not include citronella oil or stone root.

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.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Early research has not shown any effect of lemongrass on serum cholesterol levels. However, more research is warranted in this area.

 C


Early research has not shown any effect of lemongrass on serum cholesterol levels. However, more research is warranted in this area.

 C


Lemongrass is used in Brazilian folk medicine for nervous disturbances. However, early study of lemongrass has not confirmed this use. More research is needed.

 C


Lemongrass is used in Brazilian folk medicine for nervous disturbances. However, early study of lemongrass has not confirmed this use. More research is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that lemongrass may have beneficial effects for the treatment of oral candidiasis in patients with HIV/AIDS. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that lemongrass may have beneficial effects for the treatment of oral candidiasis in patients with HIV/AIDS. More research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
There is no proven safe or effective dose of lemongrass for adults. Traditionally, 1-2 teaspoons of lemongrass in six ounces of boiling water has been taken by mouth as a tea. Two grams of lemongrass herb, cut and powdered into one cup of boiling water, has also been taken by mouth. For high cholesterol, 140 milligrams of lemongrass oil in a capsule once a day for 90 days has been taken by mouth with no significant benefit. For sedation, lemongrass tea was taken by mouth with no significant benefit. For thrush, half a packet (12.5 milliliters) of dried lemongrass was used to make an infusion with 500 milliliters of boiling water. The infusion was boiled for 10 minutes and cooled. For the first treatment, patients drank 125 milliliters of lemongrass infusion and then drank 250 milliliters twice a day for a total of 10 days (a fresh infusion was made every 24 hours).

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Lemongrass oil may increase absorption of drugs through the skin.
Lemongrass may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Lemongrass may lower blood pressure and should be used cautiously with other drugs that alter blood pressure. Also, caution is advised in patients taking drugs that affect the heart, as this combination may alter the effects of the drug or cause unwanted side effects.
Lemongrass may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking insulin or drugs for diabetes by mouth should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare provider. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Lemongrass may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be altered in the blood and may cause increased or decreased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Individuals using any medications should check the package insert and speak with a healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Lemongrass may also interact with analgesics (pain reducers), antibiotics, anticonvulsants, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, antimalarials (drugs used for malaria), antivirals, cholesterol-lowering agents, cholinesterase inhibitors (drugs that inhibit the enzyme cholinesterase), diuretics (drugs that increase urination), and vasodilators (drugs that widen blood vessels).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Bankole SA, Joda AO, Ashidi JS. The use of powder and essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus against mould deterioration and aflatoxin contamination of "egusi" melon seeds. J Basic Microbiol. 2005;45(1):20-30.
Duarte MC., Figueira GM, Sartoratto A, et al. Anti-Candida activity of Brazilian medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 2-28-2005;97(2):305-311.
Dudai N, Weinstein Y, Krup M, et al. Citral is a new inducer of caspase-3 in tumor cell lines. Planta Med 2005;71(5):484-488.
El Kamali HH, Hamza MA, El Amir MY. Antibacterial activity of the essential oil from Cymbopogon nervatus inflorescence. Fitoterapia 2005;76(5):446-449.
Elson CE, Underbakke GL, Hanson P, et al. Impact of lemongrass oil, an essential oil, on serum cholesterol. Lipids 1989 Aug;24(8):677-9.
Heimerdinger A, Olivo CJ, Molento MB, et al. [Alcoholic extract of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) on the control of Boophilus microplus in cattle]. Rev Bras.Parasitol.Vet. 2006;15(1):37-39.
Ketoh GK, Koumaglo HK, Glitho IA, et al. Comparative effects of Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oil and piperitone on Callosobruchus maculatus development. Fitoterapia 7-16-2006;
Lalko J, Api AM. Investigation of the dermal sensitization potential of various essential oils in the local lymph node assay. Food Chem Toxicol 2006;44(5):739-746.
Leite JR, Seabra Mde L, Maluf E, et al. Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects on humans. J Ethnopharmacol 1986 Jul;17(1):75-83.
Pawar VC, Thaker VS. In vitro efficacy of 75 essential oils against Aspergillus niger. Mycoses 2006;49(4):316-323.
Raybaudi-Massilia RM, Mosqueda-Melgar J, Martin-Belloso O. Antimicrobial activity of essential oils on Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Listeria innocua in fruit juices. J Food Prot. 2006;69(7):1579-1586.
Rim IS, Jee CH. Acaricidal effects of herb essential oils against Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) and qualitative analysis of a herb Mentha pulegium(pennyroyal). Korean J Parasitol. 2006;44(2):133-138.
Tampieri MP, Galuppi R, Macchioni F, et al. The inhibition of Candida albicans by selected essential oils and their major components. Mycopathologia 2005;159(3):339-345.
Tchoumbougnang F, Zollo PH, Dagne E, Mekonnen Y. In vivo antimalarial activity of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus and Ocimum gratissimum on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Planta Med 2005;71(1):20-23.
Wright SC, Maree JE, and Sibanyoni M. Treatment of oral thrush in HIV/AIDS patients with lemon juice and lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) and gentian violet. Phytomedicine 2009 Mar;16(2-3):118-24.