cymbopogon citratus

*Cymbopogon citratus*, commonly known as **lemongrass**, is a tropical perennial grass used around the world in traditional medicine, as a culinary herb, in aromatherapy, and as a source of essential oil. The plant contains essential oils and phytoconstituents, such as **citral, myrcene, citronellal, nerol, geraniol, flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol), and phenolic compounds**, which are thought to underlie its biological activities. Traditionally and experimentally, it has been used for its **antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, sedative, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, insecticidal, hypoglycemic, hypotensive, and anticarcinogenic effects**. In folk medicine, it is used for gastrointestinal symptoms, fevers, pain, infections, hypertension, and anxiety, among others. Lemongrass oil is widely used in aromatherapy and as a topical agent for its fragrance and antimicrobial effects. Evidence from preclinical studies supports activities such as **antioxidant (via scavenging free radicals), antimicrobial (against bacteria and fungi), vasorelaxant (via smooth muscle relaxation), and CNS depressant/anxiolytic (possibly via GABAergic modulation)**, though robust clinical evidence for any specific medical indication is currently lacking[1][2][3][6][7].

Other names

Cymbopogon citratuslemongrassWest Indian lemongrassserehtangladfever grassCochin lemongrassBritish Indian lemongrassEast Indian lemongrassMadagascar lemongrassMelissa grassGuatemala lemongrassFrench Indian verbena