Cymbopogon citratus
What's the taxonomical classification of Cymbopogon citratus?
Cymbopogon citratus belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Poales, the plant is a member of the family Poaceae. Finally, its specific biological identity is defined by its placement within the genus Cymbopogon and its designation as the species citratus.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Cymbopogon |
| Species | citratus |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Cymbopogon citratus has perennial, tufted, graminoid leaves that grow from a dense rhizomatous base and reach heights of up to one meter. The leaf blades are long, linear, and possess a distinctively sharp, serrated edge along their margins. These blades are characterized by a bright green color and a strong, citrus-like aroma released when the foliage is crushed. The plant produces small, inconspicuous panicles that emerge on slender stalks during its flowering period. Its root system is fibrous and compact, which helps the plant form thick, grassy clumps in its natural habitat.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically spanning across countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and parts of southern China. It is commonly found growing in moist, disturbed habitats including forest edges, riverbanks, and grassy openings. The species thrives in environments with high humidity and consistent warmth characteristic of its regional climate. Its distribution is largely tied to the seasonal monsoon patterns that provide necessary moisture for its growth. Localized populations may also occur in similar tropical climates throughout the Indochina peninsula.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Cymbopogon citratus, requires well-drained soil, full sunlight, and consistent moisture to thrive in tropical or subtropical climates.
Growers should plant the lemongrass in warm soil once the danger of frost has passed to ensure vigorous root establishment. Regular application of organic compost or balanced fertilizer helps stimulate the production of aromatic essential oils in the leaves. Because the plant can become quite large, providing adequate spacing is necessary to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
Periodic harvesting of the outer leaves encourages the plant to continue producing fresh shoots throughout the growing season.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Cymbopogon citratus provides medicinal benefits through its leaves, rhizomes, roots, shoots, and stalks. The long, fragrant leaves are frequently harvested to create infusions that aid digestion and reduce fever. Practitioners also utilize the underground rhizomes and roots for their potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Both the tender shoots and the fibrous stalks contribute to the plant's therapeutic profile when used in traditional preparations. These various components work together to provide a wide range of healing applications in herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Scientific reports", Cymbopogon citratus is a medicinal and aromatic plant valued for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The study assessed various physiological parameters and growth indices such as leaf and root dry weight. Drought stress significantly reduced chlorophyll content by up to 56.6% and stomatal conductance by 42.6% in the plant. Foliar application of melatonin at 200 µM effectively mitigated these effects by increasing biomass by 9-11% and improving leaf water status by 14-15%. The research also evaluated antioxidant responses including catalase, peroxidase, total phenols, and total antioxidant capacity.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- rhizome
- root
- shoot
- stalk
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Cymbopogon citratus, has been utilized extensively within Brazilian folk medicine to treat various ailments through the consumption of its aromatic leaves. Local practitioners often prepare infusions or teas from the grass to alleviate digestive issues and reduce fever. It is also traditionally applied as a remedy for menstrual cramps and general inflammation due to its perceived calming properties. Beyond internal use, the essential oils extracted from the plant are sometimes used topically to soothe skin irritations. These historical practices highlight the plant's deep-rooted significance in regional herbal traditions.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", lemongrass is one of the most popular Brazilian herbal medicines used for its alleged CNS-depressant effects. In Brazil, a herbal tea called an abafado is prepared from the dried leaves of the plant. To investigate its hypnotic effect, 50 volunteers ingested samples of lemongrass or a placebo under double-blind conditions. Additionally, 18 subjects with high scores of trait-anxiety were submitted to an anxiety-inducing test to evaluate its properties. The study concluded that while the abafado is not toxic for humans, it lacks hypnotic or anxiolytic properties.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Brazilian folk medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Cymbopogon citratus?
This plant has demonstrated significant antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal pharmacological activities through its diverse chemical constituents. The presence of bioactive compounds allows it to neutralize free radicals, thereby providing potent antioxidant protection to cells. Its strong antimicrobial and antibacterial properties enable it to effectively inhibit the growth of various pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, the plant exhibits antifungal capabilities that can combat specific fungal infections. These combined effects also contribute to its notable anti-inflammatory potential by reducing swelling and irritation in biological tissues.
According to a study published by "Foods (Basel, Switzerland)", the addition of 2% Cymbopogon citratus extract to a fermented orange beverage resulted in the highest phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant potential compared to the control. The formulations contained hesperidin (124-130 mg L-1), narirutin (66-70 mg L-1), chlorogenic (11-16 mg L-1), caffeic (5.3-5.5 mg L-1), and ferulic (1-1.7 mg L-1) acids. In silico analysis suggested that the evaluated compounds do not present a toxicity risk regarding mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, hepatotoxicity, or the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. These compounds can contribute to biological effects of therapeutic importance, such as antioxidant, gastroprotective, and anti-ulcerative properties.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- antifungal
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the primary medicinal compound citral, which is composed of the isomeric mixture citral A (geranial) and citral B (neral). These specific aldehydes are responsible for the characteristic lemon-like aroma and significant antimicrobial properties found in the leaves. In addition to these aldehydes, the essential oil is rich in monoterpene alcohols such as geraniol and citronellol. These various chemical constituents work synergistically to provide the plant with its diverse therapeutic benefits. Such a complex profile of compounds makes the plant highly valuable for pharmacological research and natural wellness applications.
According to a study published by "Food chemistry", the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus contain various bioactive compounds identified via GC-MS. Analyses showed the presence of 7, 16, 22, and 15 compounds in the water-distilled, microwave-distilled, acid-distilled, and base-distilled oils. The total yields of these volatile fractions were 0.73%, 0.64%, 0.70%, and 0.45%, respectively. Citral was identified as the major component, with the base extraction showing the highest content. Other identified compounds include 2-isopropenyl-5-methylhex-4-enal, p-cymene, and 2-thujene.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Citral
- Citral A (geranial)
- Citral B (neral)
- Geraniol
- Citroneol
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating gastric ulcers, inflammation, malaria, skin infections, and respiratory tract diseases. Its medicinal properties are frequently utilized to soothe internal swelling and promote healing in the digestive system. In many traditional practices, extracts from the plant serve as a remedy for febrile illnesses such as malaria. Topical applications are also common for managing various skin infections and dermatological irritations. Additionally, the plant provides relief for ailments affecting the respiratory tract, such as coughs and congestion.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Cymbopon citratus leaves infusion has been used in folk medicine to treat gastric disturbances. The study assessed the gastroprotective activity of an essential oil-free infusion on acute gastric lesions in adult male Wistar rats weighing 234.0±22.7g that were fasted for 24h. The extract was administered orally at doses of 28 or 56mg/kg of body weight. Results showed that the extract significantly (P<0.01) reduced gastric mucosal injury when given before or after ethanol administration. The study also evaluated the time of contact with gastric mucosa at 1 or 2h. The findings confirm the gastroprotective activity of the extract on experimental gastric lesions induced by ethanol.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- 1. Gastric ulcers
- 2. Inflammation
- 3. Bacteria infections
- 4. Fungal infections
- 5. Respiratory tract diseases
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal preparations including essential oil, lemongrass tea, decoction, herbal infusion, and powdered leaves. The essential oil is often extracted through steam distillation for use in aromatherapy or topical applications. For internal consumption, lemongrass tea can be made as a simple herbal infusion by steeping the fresh leaves in hot water. A stronger decoction is prepared by boiling the tougher plant parts to extract a more potent medicinal solution. Additionally, the dried and powdered leaves can be processed into capsules or mixed into food for therapeutic benefits.
According to a study published by "Natural product research", the yield of essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of Cymbopogon citratus fresh leaves ranged from 0.15% to 0.46% w/w. Oxygenated monoterpene components were predominant in all samples, ranging from 73.22% to 89.32%. GC-MS identified a total of 61, 25, 50 and 63 components in oil samples obtained in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Citral content was highest in autumn at 82.02% and summer at 80.01%, while the winter sample was 60.01%. The winter oil sample exhibited an IC50 of 2.86 ± 0.17 mg/mL, while other samples showed IC50 values of 2.86-5.40 mg/mL. Isolated citral demonstrated a relatively potent anticholinesterase activity with an IC50 of 0.21 ± 0.01 mg/mL.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Essential oil
- Lemon grass tea
- Decoction
- Herbal infusion
- Powdered leaves
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause functional damages to the liver, hemolysis, hypotension, tachycardia, and mitodepressive effects on cell division. These serious adverse reactions indicate significant toxicity within various physiological systems. Specifically, the plant may trigger a breakdown of red blood cells through hemolysis while simultaneously disrupting cardiac rhythms and blood pressure. Furthermore, its chemical components can impair cellular reproduction by exerting mitodepressive effects on cell division. The resulting impact on hepatic function underscores the danger of consuming this species.
According to a study published by "Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association", the essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus were administered to Wistar rats via gavage for 14 consecutive days. A dose-dependent effect was observed during the study of these oils. When applied at doses generally higher than 1500 mg/kg body weight, the oils caused significant functional damages to the stomach and liver of the rat. The study aimed to provide data on acute and subacute toxicity as well as on gastric tolerance.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- functional damages to liver
- hemolysis
- hypotension
- tachycardia
- mitodepressive effects on cell division
What herbs are paired with Cymbopogon citratus?
This plant pairs most effectively with lemongrass, ginger, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and various mint species to enhance its citrusy profile.
When used in culinary applications, its bright lemon notes complement the earthy heat of ginger and the spicy undertones of galangal. Pairing it with kaffir lime leaves creates a layered, aromatic citrus experience often found in Southeast Asian cuisine. Mint provides a cooling contrast that highlights the plant's refreshing qualities in herbal teas.
These combinations work well together because they share similar chemical compounds that unify complex flavor profiles.