Cymbopogon schoenanthus
Camel grass
Cymbopogon schoenanthus, commonly known as lemongrass, is a versatile aromatic grass cherished in traditional medicine. Renowned for its uplifting citrus scent, it possesses potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties. Often used in herbal teas and essential oils, this plant offers therapeutic benefits for relaxation and holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Cymbopogon schoenanthus
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized into the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Poales, falling under the family Poaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific 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 |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cymbopogon schoenanthus, is recognized by various regional common names depending on the language and culture. In Dutch and Afrikaans, it is referred to as Kameelgras, while in Arabic, it is known as إذخر مكي. In Persian, the plant is called گورگیاه, and in Polish, it is identified as palczatką wełnistą.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nl | Kameelgras | Wikidata |
| ar | إذخر مكي | Wikidata |
| fa | گورگیاه | Wikidata |
| pl | palczatka wełnista | Wikidata |
| af | Kameelgras | Wikidata |
| ml | നാന്മുഖപ്പുല്ല് | Wikidata |
| ha | Nobe | Wikidata |
| arz | اذخر مكى | Wikidata |
| cs | voňatka šašinová | Wikidata |
| grc | σχοῖνος | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, is primarily distributed throughout the northern regions of the African continent. Its presence is well-documented across the diverse landscapes of Algeria and Egypt. Furthermore, it can be found growing within the territories of Libya and Morocco. The species also extends its reach into the coastal and inland areas of Tunisia. Consequently, its geographical range is concentrated within these five specific North African nations.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Western Sahara | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as citronella grass, utilizes various components for its medicinal and aromatic properties. The long, slender green leaf is the most prominent part used in applications, as it serves as the primary source for harvesting the plant's potent constituents. Within these leaves are concentrated essential oils, which provide the characteristic citrus scent and possess significant insect-repellent and antiseptic qualities. While the plant can reproduce via the seed, the therapeutic value is almost exclusively derived from the aromatic compounds extracted from the foliage.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cymbopogon schoenanthus has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include piperitone, elemol, (+)-2-carene, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, 2-naphthalenemethanol.
- Total chemicals
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| piperitone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| elemol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-2-carene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-naphthalenemethanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Se | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Zn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cymbopogon schoenanthus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cymbopogon schoenanthus has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include (MRSA), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (MRSA) | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyslipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kidney stones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |