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Cymbopogon citratus
Caution🐾Zitronengras · (Cymbopogon citratus)
Grass family (Poaceae)
Description
This tropical grass owes its intense lemon aroma not to any citrus fruit but to a high citral content in the essential oil of its slender leaves and stalks, harvestable year-round. A staple of Southeast Asian cooking, it flavours soups and curries throughout the region; in folk medicine, an infusion of the leaves was traditionally drunk for digestive complaints, mild fever and restlessness, and applied externally for skin blemishes and joint discomfort. As a culinary herb, lemongrass is safe. Its concentrated essential oil, however, must never be applied undiluted to the skin or inhaled directly, since it can irritate skin and, in the lungs, even trigger toxic alveolitis. Animal studies also suggest that prolonged high-dose use could affect kidney function — use should be stopped immediately if skin sensitisation to essential oils occurs.
Infusion from fresh or dried stalks and leaves: 1–2 tsp chopped lemongrass in 200 ml hot water, steep 10 minutes. Used in Asian and Latin American folk medicine for digestive complaints, flatulence, cramps, and mild fever. Antispasmodic and diaphoretic properties are well-documented in folk tradition.
Preparation & dosage
- Dry amount
- 3–6 g
- Doses per day
- 3×
The essential oil (main constituent citral 65–85 %) shows pronounced antifungal activity in the lab against Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger (inhibition zones 35–90 mm). Diluted in a carrier oil (1–2 %) traditionally used for skin and nail mycoses.
Preparation & dosage
Topical application diluted (2–3 % in carrier oil) for rheumatic joint pain and muscle soreness. Animal studies show inhibition of carrageenan-induced edema up to 96.8 % orally. No clinical trials in humans.
Preparation & dosage
The fleshy base of the stalks is used fresh or lightly bruised as a spice in Asian cuisine (soups, curries, sauces, Tom Yam). The inner part of young shoots is edible raw as a vegetable. Dried pieces or powder have a markedly weaker aroma.
Preparation & dosage
Steam inhalation of 2–3 drops essential oil in hot water or diffuser for cold symptoms and relaxation. Brazilian folk medicine (Krahô) documents anxiolytic and mildly sedating properties. Direct inhalation of undiluted oil can cause toxic alveolitis — caution required.
Preparation & dosage
Foot bath or full bath with fresh or dried lemongrass (50–100 g per 10 l water) for athlete's foot (tinea pedis), ringworm, and tired muscles. The antimicrobial effect of the citral-rich infusion is used in folk medicine.
Preparation & dosage
Safe in culinary amounts. Concentrated essential oil must never be applied undiluted to skin or inhaled directly — may cause skin irritation and toxic alveolitis. High-dose long-term use may affect kidney function (animal studies). Discontinue if skin sensitisation to essential oils occurs. ASPCA classification (accessed 2026-08-10): toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Avoid essential oil during pregnancy. Culinary amounts in food are considered safe; concentrated uses (oil, medicinal-dose tea) should be avoided.
Insufficient safety data during lactation. Culinary amounts likely safe.
Keep essential oils away from children in general. Tea in small amounts generally tolerated in children over 2 years.
Drug interactions
Sedativa / ZNS-Depressiva
The essential oil may exert sedating effects at high doses; additive effects with CNS depressants possible.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to Cymbopogon species or their essential oils.
- Severe kidney disease (with high-dose medicinal use).
Harvested part: leaves, stalks
- Time of day:
- Morning after dew, when the constituents are most concentrated.
- Drying:
- Cut fresh stalks into small pieces and air-dry or sun-dry on paper (1–2 days). Store dry, dark, airtight. Quality for up to 12 months.
- Storage:
- 12 months
- Time of day:
- Anytime during the growing phase; harvest leaves when the plant is at least 30 cm tall.
- Drying:
- Bundle leaves and hang upside-down in a ventilated, shady spot (1 week). Alternatively dry at max. 40 °C in a dehydrator.
- Storage:
- 12 months
- Citral (Geranial + Neral)Essential oilContent: 65-85 % (im äth. Öl)Leaf
Main active component of the essential oil, consisting of geranial (~42 %) and neral (~31 %). Responsible for the lemon scent; primary antimicrobial and antifungal component.
- beta-MyrcenEssential oilContent: 7-8 % (im äth. Öl)Leaf
Monoterpene; contributes to the muscle-relaxing and analgesic effect of the oil.
- GeranylacetatEssential oilContent: ~4 % (im äth. Öl)Leaf
Ester; contributes to the floral-fruity scent nuances of the oil.
- LuteolinFlavonoidLeaf
Flavone with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; detected in the non-volatile fractions of the leaves.
- Isoorientin-2'-O-rhamnosidFlavonoidLeaf
C-glycoside flavone; together with other flavonoids contributes to the antioxidant potential of the plant.
- ChlorogensäurePhenolic acidLeaf
Polyphenol; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; detected in aqueous leaf extract.
- Cymbopogon (Triterpenoid)OtherLeaf
Plant-specific triterpenoid; eponymous for the genus; pharmacological role not yet fully clarified.
- QuercetinFlavonoidLeaf
Widespread flavonol; anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity documented in vitro.
- [3]MonographScientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (Lemon grass) — PMC 3217679(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [4]MonographLemon grass essential oil as a potent anti-inflammatory and antifungal drug — PMC 4170112(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [5]MonographASPCA Animal Poison Control — Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus): Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses(accessed: 2026-08-10)
- [2]BookPlants For A Future — Cymbopogon citratus(accessed: 2026-05-22)
- [1]WikipediaCymbopogon citratus (Wikipedia EN)(accessed: 2026-05-22)
Distribution in Europe
🪴 Grow at home
- ☀ Light
- full sun
- 💧 Water
- every few days
- 🌱 Soil
- Standard herb compost
- 🪴 Pot
- 25 cm
- ⭐ Difficulty
- ★★☆ intermediate
- 🐾 Pets
- toxic to pets
Tips:
- Needs LOTS of sun — otherwise stalks get thin and lose aroma.
- In a pot it's not frost-hardy — move indoors below 10 °C.
- Cut stalks just above the root, the clump regrows.
Care tips are general indoor-gardening recommendations, not scientific sources.