Lemongrass1
Cymbopogon nardus, also called fragrant lemongrass/citronella grass, is a lush grass species. The parts typically used are the leaves and stems, from which essential oil (citronella oil) is extracted. This plant is often used as a mosquito and insect repellent because of its strong, distinctive aroma that insects dislike, making it an effective natural repellent. In communities, besides being used in cooking, lemongrass also serves as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, remedy for nausea and vomiting, antirheumatic, analgesic, and fever reducer.2
Morphology of Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a type of grass that grows in large clumps. It can reach a height of about 1.2 meters and has short fibrous roots. The stems grow upright in clusters; they are yellowish-white to reddish in color, soft, brittle, and hollow. The leaves are green, long and ribbon-like, and taper to a point at the tip. The leaf surface is somewhat rough and finely hairy, and emits a citrus scent when crushed. The leaves are arranged parallel to the stem and lack petioles.2
Lemongrass Active Compounds
Lemongrass contains 1% essential oil with a composition of citronellal, geraniol, geranyl acetate, and citronellol acetate.2
Health Benefits of Lemongrass
Based on Medicinal Herb IndexIn Indonesia, Lemongrass has empirical uses as a diaphoretic (sweat-inducing), mouthwash, and body warmer.3 So far, there have only been in vivo studies (test animal subjects) on Lemongrass, including:
- Analgesic/Pain reliever
- Subject: Mice with induced edema in the paws (swelling due to excess fluid)
- Dosage: Hot water extract (Decoction) of lemongrass leaves 15 ml/kg body weight of rats
- Results: The essential oil content in lemongrass decoction has a pain-relieving effect on headaches, muscle spasms, spasms, rheumatism, myalgia and neuralgia.2
- Maintaining Immunity
- Subjects: 30 male mice (BW 25-30 g) injected with the pathogenS.aureus
- Dosage: Lemongrass ethanol extract 50, 150, or 300 mg/kg body weight is given orally every day (extract from 100 g of lemongrass stem powder extracted in 1000 ml of 96% ethanol)
- Duration: 14 days
- Results: A dose of 150 mg/kg significantly increased the number of leukocytes and lymphocytes, which means it has the ability to improve the immune system.4
The results of a study of lemongrass extract doses of 50, 150, or 300 mg/kgBW on the body's immune cells.4
Safety
Lemongrass is included in the Indonesian Herbal Medicine Formulary as an analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory. In America, lemongrass is included.Generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Oral infusion of lemongrass leaves in mice for 2 months, administered twice daily, did not show any toxic effects, although there were 2 cases of toxicity due to the use of essential oils by inhalation.2Consumption of lemongrass stem extract in high doses (300 mg/kgBW of mice for 14 days) can cause side effects such as allergies or a decrease in the immune system.4
Keywords: Cymbopogon nardus; Lemongrass; Citronellal; Pain Reliever; Maintains Immunity; Anti-Nausea and Anti-Vomiting; Anti-Rheumatic
Footer References
- References
- Image: Vecteezy.com
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.Regulation of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia Number 6 of 2016 concerning the Formulary of Original Indonesian Herbal Medicines. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia; 2016.
- Indonesian Essay.Medicinal Herb Index in Indonesia. 2nd Ed. PT. Esai Indonesia; 1995.
- Ayu SP, Ika S, Rofiatun NS, Mahaputra K, Rosalina R. Immunomodulatory Effect of Lemongrass Extract (Cymbopogon nardus L.) to Increase Immune Cells as a Precaution Against SARS-CoV-2. Biomolecular and Health Science Journal. 2021; 4(2): 73–77.
