Raw material: | Leaves of cymbopogon citratus |
Extraction mean: | Water |
Drug: Extract ratio: | 4 : 1 |
Plant and origin
Lemon grass originates from India and is found today in South Asia, South-East Asia, Australia.
First used as spice in food it has also been drunken as tea and taken for homeopathy.
Processing and appearance
Lemon grass is a small linear grey green grass of up to 1 or 2 metre length with a distinct citrus smell. The dried powder is of light brown colour and aromatic, with refreshing lemon like taste.
Ingredients and health effects
The plant is said to have the following health benefits:
- Perspiration support
- Antibacterial effects
- Acts diuretic and antispasmodic
- Positive effects on digestion
The most interesting constituent is the essential oil citral being a mixture of two different steroisomere monoterpenaldehydes.
Applications
- Hot tea drink
- Refreshing drinks
- Herbal additive to food
- Sweets
- Cosmetics