Cymbopogon citratus
Cymbopogon citratus, commonly known as lemongrass, is a versatile perennial grass celebrated for its aromatic qualities. Rich in citral, it offers potent antimicrobial, digestive, and anti-inflammatory benefits. Widely used in traditional medicine and culinary arts, this fragrant herb serves as a natural remedy for stress and various ailments.
- Scientific name: Cymbopogon citratus
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Poales and the family Poaceae, it is classified under the genus Cymbopogon.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Poaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cymbopogon | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented in the countries of Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco. The species also extends into the tropical zones of West Africa. Specifically, it can be found growing in the nation of Benin. Additionally, its range includes the West Tropical African country of Gambia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Cymbopogon citratus has 102 reported phytochemicals identified across 167 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include citral, geranial, neral, flavonoids, Citral.
- Total chemicals
- 102
- Scientific sources
- 167
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| citral | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| geranial | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| neral | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Citral | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| citronellol | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| geraniol | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| monoterpenes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cymbopogon citratus has 24 reported activities identified across 70 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 70
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 17 | ★★★★★ |
| Antimicrobial | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| Antibacterial | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antifungal | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticholinesterase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cymbopogon citratus has 83 reported medicinal uses identified across 107 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, malaria, Bacillus cereus.
- Total uses
- 83
- Scientific sources
- 107
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus cereus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |