20. Scientific name: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) STAPF Common names: lemon grass, West Indian lemon grass, hierba limón, toronjil de caña, citronela, limonaria, limoncillo, zacate el limón, pajete, caña de limón, caña santa, hierba de la calentura, paja de limón, malojillo, Family: Poaceae Origin: India Description: Cymbopogon citratus is an aromatic, evergreen, densely clump-forming, perennial grass producing numerous stiff stems arising from a short rhizomatous rootstock. It can grow up to 1.2 m tall or 2 m tall when in flower. The leaf blades are light green and strap-shaped (up to 0.9 m long, 2.5 cm wide). Crushed leaves exude a lemony scent. A pseudo stem formed from tightly overlapping leaf sheaths on non-flowering shoots is 12-25 cm long and 1-2 cm across, bulbous and thickening towards base of plant. It is fragrant when crushed and yellowish-brown or reddish. Numerous brownish florets held on compound drooping panicles up to 0.5 m across, rarely produced in cultivation. Prefers a moisture-retentive soil in full sun. Use: The heart of the young shoots is eaten as a vegetable with rice. The basal portions of the leafy shoots have a delicious lemon-like aroma and are used as a flavouring in soups, sauces and curries. A refreshing tea can be brewed from the leaves. Lemon grass is a bitter, aromatic, cooling herb that increases perspiration and relieves spasms. The essential oil obtained from the plant is an effective antifungal and antibacterial. The essential oil contains about 70% citral, plus citronellal, both are markedly sedative. Internally, the plant is used principally as a tea in the treatment of digestive problems, where it relaxes the muscles of the stomach and gut, relieving cramping pains and flatulence. It is particularly useful for children, for whom it is also used to treat minor feverish illnesses. Externally, especially in the form of the extracted essential oil, the plant is a very effective treatment for a range of skin conditions including athlete's foot, ringworm, lice and scabies. It is also applied to ease the pain of arthritic joints.
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