Cymbopogon: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Genus of grasses}}

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'''''Cymbopogon''''', also known as '''lemongrass''', '''barbed wire grass''', '''silky heads''', '''oily heads''', '''Cochin grass''', '''Malabar grass''', '''citronella grass''' or '''fever grass''', is a genus of [[Asia]]n, [[Africa]]n, [[Australia]]n, and tropical island plants in the [[Poaceae|grass family]].

Some species (particularly ''[[Cymbopogon citratus]]'') are commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that of [[lemon]]s (''Citrus limon'').

The name ''Cymbopogon'' derives from the Greek words {{lang|grc-Latn|kymbe}} ({{lang|grc|κύμβη}}, 'boat') and {{lang|grc-Latn|pogon}} ({{lang|grc|πώγων}}, 'beard') "which mean [that] in most species, the hairy spikelets project from boat-shaped spathes." Lemongrass and its oil are believed to possess therapeutic properties.

== Uses ==

Citronella grass (''[[Cymbopogon nardus]]'' and ''[[Cymbopogon winterianus]]'') grow to about {{convert|2|m|ft|frac=2}} and have magenta-colored base stems. These species are used for the production of [[citronella oil]], which is used in soaps, as an [[insect repellent]] (especially mosquitoes and houseflies) in insect sprays and candles, and aromatherapy. The principal chemical constituents of citronella, [[geraniol]] and [[citronellol]], are [[antiseptic]]s, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps. Besides oil production, citronella grass is also used for culinary purposes as a flavoring.

=== Culinary ===

[[File:Cymbopogon citratus leaves.jpg|thumb|left|''C. citratus'' from the [[Philippines]], where it is locally known as ''tanglad'']]

East Indian lemongrass (''[[Cymbopogon flexuosus]]''), also called Cochin grass or Malabar grass, is native to [[Cambodia]], [[Vietnam]], [[Laos]], [[India]], [[Sri Lanka]], [[Burma]], and [[Thailand]], while West Indian lemongrass (''[[Cymbopogon citratus]]'') is native to [[maritime Southeast Asia]]. While both can be used interchangeably, ''C. citratus'' is more suitable for cooking.

=== Folk medicine ===

In India, ''C. citratus'' is used as a medical herb and in perfumes. ''C. citratus'' is consumed as a tea for anxiety in Brazilian folk medicine, but a study in humans found no effect. The tea caused a recurrence of [[contact dermatitis]] in one case. [[Samoa]]ns and [[Tonga]]ns use mashed ''C. citratus'' (called ''moegalo'' and ''moengālō'' respectively) leaves as a traditional remedy for oral infections.

Lemongrass essential oil has been declared [[generally recognized as safe]] in food by the United States [[Food and Drug Administration]].

==== Folk magic ====

In [[Hoodoo (folk magic)|Hoodoo]], lemongrass is the primary ingredient of [[van van oil]], one of the most popular oils used in conjure. Lemongrass is used in this preparation and on its own in hoodoo to protect against evil, spiritually clean a house, and to bring good luck in love affairs.

=== Insect ===

In [[beekeeping]], lemongrass oil imitates the [[pheromone]] emitted by a [[honeybee]]'s [[Nasonov gland]] to attract bees to a hive or a swarm.

==Species==

Species in the genus currently number 52 and include:

{{Div col end}}

;Formerly included

Numerous species are now regarded as better suited to other genera, including ''[[Andropogon]]'', ''[[Exotheca]]'', ''[[Hyparrhenia]]'', ''[[Iseilema]]'', ''[[Schizachyrium]]'', and ''[[Themeda]]''.

==Images==

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==External links==

{{Cookbook|Lemongrass}}

* {{Commons category-inline|Cymbopogon}}

{{Herbs & spices}}

[[Category:Cymbopogon| ]]

[[Category:Grasses of Africa]]