Cymbopogon
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon, commonly known as lemongrass, is a versatile aromatic grass cherished in traditional medicine and culinary arts. Renowned for its refreshing citrus scent, it possesses potent antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. This essential plant serves as a natural remedy for digestive issues, fever, and skin infections worldwide.
- Scientific name: Cymbopogon
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Poales, it is further categorized under the family Poaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus name, 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, belonging to the genus Cymbopogon, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 香茅属, while in Traditional Chinese and the Cantonese dialect used in Hong Kong, it is known as 香茅 or 香茅. In Hebrew, it is called עשב לימון, and in the Bjorn language, it is identified as Saray.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 香茅属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 香茅 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 香茅 | Wikidata |
| he | עשב לימון | Wikidata |
| bjn | Saray | Wikidata |
| ace | Rheuë | Wikidata |
| ms | Serai makan | Wikidata |
| to | Moengālō | Wikidata |
| et | Sidrunhein | Wikidata |
| de | Zitronengräser | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Cymbopogon, exhibits a specific distribution across the Northern African region. Its presence is documented in the country of Algeria, where it thrives in certain local ecosystems. Furthermore, it can be found spreading through the landscapes of Egypt and Libya. The species also extends its reach into the territory of Morocco. Finally, its geographical range includes the nation of Tunisia, completing its North African footprint.
| 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 | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Cymbopogon, offers various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The whole grass is often harvested to be processed into different forms, including the use of young sprouts in certain applications. Most notably, the plant is highly valued for its essential oils, which are extracted to provide a potent aroma and medicinal benefits. Whether used in its raw state or distilled to obtain pure essential oil, this botanical resource remains a staple in aromatherapy and natural healing.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| essential oils | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole grass | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sprouts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cymbopogon has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include citral, citronellal, flavonoids, geraniol, terpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| citral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| citronellal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| geraniol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Al | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CT | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cd | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Citronellol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cymbopogon has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiarrhythmic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antiinflammatory, Antineoplastic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiarrhythmic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antineoplastic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cymbopogon has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, abdominal pain.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abdominal pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dizziness | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |