LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus)

Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Activities of Indigenous Plants

ABSTRACT

Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) is used in traditional and modern medicine to cure different
disease conditions. A perennial plant with long, thin leaves is one amongst the largely cultivated
medicinal plants for its essential oils in numerous parts of the world. The leaves present lemony
characteristic flavor because of its main content, citral which present great importance to the industry.
C. citratus is an easy to grow herb that requires warm, humid conditions with plenty of sunlight. The
plant is a native herb from southern India and Sri Lanka, but nowadays grows spontaneously all over the
world, especially in other tropical, subtropical and Savannah regions wherein people used the plant as a
treatment for various ailments such as coughs, malaria, vascular problems, diabetes, gastrointestinal
infections, gingivitis etc. additionally, it is known as a genuine cleanser that aids in the detoxification of
the liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and digestive system. Several studies have reported its ability as an
antifungal, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-
rheumatic, antitussive and cardio-protective activities. Moreover, because of its scent, they are used in
perfumery, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as well as insecticidal. People usually prepare lemon grass
tea and can be inhaled as aromatherapy. The lemon grass utilized in this paper is located in Hawaiin
Lodge Calaba Baba Bangued, Abra where the plant sits in fertile, well-drained soil a soil area under hot
full sun. This paper also provides research studies on Cymbopogon citratus how it is used in medicine
and its pharmacological activities.

Keywords: Lemon grass, Cymbopogon citratus, citral, warm, humid, gingivitis, detoxification, anti-
rheumatic, antitussive, cardio-protective activities, perfumery, insecticidal, antibacterial, antifungal,
aromatherapy.

Introduction to Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Activities of Plants

Because of its very valuable essential oils and widespread application in both traditional
medicine and food technology, Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) may be of significant interest.
The rise of current ailments and the resistance of commercially accessible conventional medications
have made people more conscious of health issues nowadays. Due to the side effects associated
with the use of synthetic medications, traditional therapy utilizing plant-based medicine looks to be
an alternative strategy.

A common folk treatment for coughs, elephantiasis, the flu, gingivitis, headaches, leprosy,
malaria, ophthalmic, pneumonia, and vascular problems in many rural populations is Cymbopogon
citratus. It is also used as a genuine cleanser that aids in the detoxification of the liver, pancreas,
kidney, bladder, and digestive system. It increases digestion, blood flow, and lactation while
lowering uric acid, cholesterol, blood pressure, excess lipids, and other toxins inside the body.
Cymbopogon citratus thrives in tropical climates and is propagated through root divisions. A mature
plant's clump is divided into many slips, each of which has its tallest and most fibrous roots cut out
before planting. Before planting, the soil has to be completely loosen by plowing. It can withstand
drought and thrives on poor soil. However, it thrives in a broad range of soils, from rich loam to poor
laterite, as well as a warm, humid environment with plenty of sunlight and prefers yearly
precipitation. Additionally, the plant is picked more often throughout the year in areas with high
rainfall. However, planting on ridges could also be advised if it rains for an extended period of time.
Cymbopogon citratus has the potential to provide significant economic revenue for nations like
Brazil, Indonesia, India, and China. Although there are few commercial uses for Cymbopogon citrates
in the West African region, there are many subsistence farmers growing it there for food, decorative
purposes, and therapeutic uses.

The pharmacological activities of C. citratus have outstanding record in the folk

and Ayurvedic medicine. Scientific investigations have reported the antifungal,
antibacterial, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic and
cardio-protective activities of C. citratus . It has also been known to restrain platelet composition,
cure diabetes, gastrointestinal infections, anxiety or depression, malaria and pneumonia.
Industrially, they serve as additive, flavor, insecticides and preservative in beverages, baked foods
and cuisines. (Oladeji, et. al, 2019)

Description of the Study Area

Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) utilized for in this paper is located in Hawaiin Lodge
Calaba Baba Bangued, Abra. The plant can be found specifically at the residence of Ilokano people
who owns the lemon grass across the street of their house where the lemon grass sits in fertile, well-
drained soil a soil area under hot full sun along and the plant sits along with the weeds, herbs,
shurbs with banana tree two-meter beside it, The area mentioned is not so much filled with houses
as it is surrounded with vacant lot.

Interview and Sampling (Overview of the Plant, Discussion on the plant parts utilized and
how it is used as medicine, methods of preparation and mode of application)

Cymbopogon citratus is an herbal plant belonging to Poaceae family. Commonly known as

lemongrass and it is one of oil-bearing plant. This plant is used in traditional and modern medicine to
cure different disease conditions. Essential oils, aqueous extracts, phenolic compounds, and other
extracts from this plant are industrially and economically important. They are used in perfumery,
cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The plant is a native herb from southern India and Sri Lanka, but
nowadays grows spontaneously all over the world, especially in other tropical, subtropical and
Savannah regions. Cymbopogon citratus, a perennial plant with long, thin leaves, is one amongst the
largely cultivated medicinal plants for its essential oils in numerous parts of the world. It contains 1-
2% of oil on a dry basis and also the chemical composition of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil is
varying widely upon genetic diversity, habitat, and agronomic treatment of the culture. The leaves of
Cymbopogon citratus present lemony characteristic flavor because of its main content, citral which
present great importance to the industry. The predominant feature of Cymbopogon citratus within
the pharmaceuticals, perfumery in addition to food industries is because of the high citral content of
its oil and for its strong lemon fragrance. Cymbopogon citratus contains several bioactive
compounds that impart medicinal value to that. In keeping with the WHO, herbal medicine is taken
into account a vital part of the healthcare system by quite two-thirds of the population in developing
countries. Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) is geneses of about 55 species are indigenous in
tropical and semi-tropical areas of Asia. The oil of Cymbopogon citratus contains Citral and other
secondary metabolites and everyone are important stuff employed in the pharmaceutical,
perfumery and cosmetics industries, furthermore as for the synthesis of vitamin A. Citral has been
reported to exhibit various biological activities like, larvicidal activity, hypoglycemic and
hypolipidemic effects, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, free radical scavengers, antioxidants
effect, ascaricidal activity, anti-nociceptive effect, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antidiarrheal,
and anti-bacterial activities. (Kassahun, et. al, 2020)

Cymbopogon citratus is employed as ancient folk drugs within the treatment of the nervous
condition, gastrointestinal disturbances, fever and cardiovascular disease. Cymbopogon citratus is
additionally a folk remedy for coughs, hypertrophy, flu, gingivitis, headache, leprosy, malaria,

ophthalmic, respiratory disease, and vascular disorders.

It’s mainly taken

within the variety of “tea” as a
remedy for biological process
It’s mainly taken within the variety of “tea” as a remedy for biological process issues,
looseness of the bowels and abdomen ache. As a healthful plant, Cymbopogon citratus has been
thought-about a carminative and bug repellent. Cymbopogon citratus oil was claimed to possess
anthelmintic activity. Historically, lemon grass is typically ready from the contemporary herbs within
the variety of infusions and decoctions. Additionally, the dried leaves of Cymbopogon citratus can be
given in a variety of tea. The tea or infusion ready with recent or dry leaves of lemon grass is
incredibly utilized in the favored drugs in most the continents and it includes a large verity of
indications. In India, it’s used for channel issues and, in China, as anxiolytic, in Central American
nation to alleviate cough, carminative, medicament and depurative. Within the Mauricio islands and
within the peninsula, it's common to use the lemon grass tea against contagion, fever, pneumonia,
and to resolve internal organ, in Brazil popularly used as spasmolytic, analgesic, opposing -
inflammatory, antipyretic, drug and sedative, In Nigeria, it's used as antipyretic, and for its
stimulating effects. In Republic of Indonesia, the plant is indicated to assist diuresis and sweating. In
Argentina decoction of leaf is taken orally for inflammatory disease, empacho and as an emetic. Hot
water extract of entire plant is employed externally for healing wounds and bone fractures in USA
and in Thailand taken orally for diabetes. Hot water extract of dried leaves is taken orally as a
hypotensive, for catarrh and rheumatism in Cuba and as renal antispasmodic and diuretic in Egypt. In
Pakistan Aerial part is employed as Pyretic, vomit, diuretic, rheumatism, and as anti-malaria
condiment. In Colombia Rhizome (root) it's chewed and used as toothbrush and for pest control. Still
in Africa and Asia, it's considered as antitussive, antiseptic, stomachis, anti-rheumatic and to treat
backache. (Kassahun, et. al, 2020)

In preparation for lemon grass oil, all you have to do is take a few lemongrass stalks,
remove the outer layer, and crush them coarsely with a mortar and pestle. Infuse this in a
jar of base oil (rice bran or olive oil) of your choice, and leave it in a warm, sunny place for
48 hours. Now, strain the oil. You can repeat the process a few times to get a strong
fragrance. Alternatively, you can slow-boil the stalks in the oil to instantly get the essential
oil. As for the Lemon grass tea, all you need to do is to steep a few pieces (cut into 1-or-2-inch
lengths) of the fresh or dried leaves and/ or outer woody stalks in a cup of boiling water for 5
minutes or longer if you desire a stronger brew. The root of administration of this treatment is

through oral.

respiratory disease, and vascular

disorders
Review of Related Literature (Support the use of the plant by making an RRL to establish
its scientific basis)

A study of Boukhatem et al. (2014) discovered that Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
essential oil (LGEO) has noteworthy potential for the development of drugs for the treatment of
fungal infections and skin inflammation. Lemon grass essential oil (LGEO) was evaluated for its in
vivo topical and oral anti-inflammatory effects, and for its in vitro antifungal activity using both liquid
and vapor phases. LGEO exhibited promising antifungal effect against Candida albicans, C. tropicalis,
and Aspergillus niger, with different inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) (35-90 mm). IZD increased with
increasing oil volume. Significantly, higher anti-Candida activity was observed in the vapor phase. For
the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect, LGEO (10 mg/kg, administered orally) significantly
reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema with a similar effect to that observed for oral diclofenac
(50 mg/kg), which was used as the positive control. Oral administration of LGEO showed dose-
dependent anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, topical application of LGEO in vivo resulted in a
potent anti-inflammatory effect, as demonstrated by using the mouse model of croton oil-induced
ear edema.

Minasari and Nasution (2017) studied the The Effectivity of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon
Citratus) Extract Against Porphyromonas gingivalis (in vitro) and found out that 25% of the
concentration levels of extract are already effective enough against Porphyromonas gingivalis. The
MIC and MBC levels of the lemongrass extract in 5 different concentration levels (50%, 25%, 12,5%,
6,125%, and 3,125%) against Porphyromonas gingivalis as a result, the Anova test showed that
there’s significance between the levels of the extract concentration and bacterial colonies.

Gao et al, (December 2020), investigated the potential of lemongrass essential oil
and citral against the dual-species biofilms formed by S. aureus and Candida species.
Susceptibility test of planktonic cells indicated low concentration of lemongrass essential oil
and citral were sufficient to inhibit the planktonic growth of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and S.
aureus. However, considering the relatively lower Minimal Inhibitoy Concentragion (MIC)
compared to that of lemongrass essential oil, citral showed slightly advantage to inhibit the
planktonic growth of the tested strains. Next, we examined the efficacy of lemongrass
essential oil and citral against dual-species biofilms formed by S. aureus and Candida
species. First, the test was performed on the dual-species biofilms of S. aureus and C.
albicans. They found that treatment by lemongrass essential oil and citral yielded the best
performance, while higher concentration of both agents couldn’t improve the inhibitory
effect, indicating a dose-optimal concentration for antibiofilm efficacy. However, although
the same general properties of both lemongrass essential oil and citral were evident, the
optimal concentration of citral was found to be higher than the determined for the parental
oil. The reasons for these are presently unclear but two possibilities maybe the effects of the
citral isolation process or alternatively that other components of lemongrass essential oil
also possess antibiofilm activity.

Uwamose and Okolugbo (2016) studied that lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus)
products have potential for use as protection of stored cowpea grains against damage by
Callosobruchus maculate. For the method, they sundried fresh leaves of C. citratus and
pulverized and sieved. The extract was obtained from the pulverized plant part using cold
extraction method and ethanol as the solvent. The powder was test at dosage rate of
2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5g/10kg of experimental cowpea. The insecticidal potential of the
extract was evaluated using test tube contact toxicity method at a concentration rate of
0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5ml/kg of experimental cowpea. Both powder and extract were evaluated
for toxicity against C. maculatus at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours exposure period, with three
replicates per treatment. Results indicate that powder had significant difference (P<0.05)
in adult C. maculatus mortality. The extract also had significant difference (P<0.05) in
adult C. maculatus mortality after 96 h exposure with the highest dose producing 100%
mortality.

Meenapriya, M. & Priya, J. (2017) conducted on the effect of lemongrass oil on

rheumatoid arthritis and wherein a total of 30 participants who were suffering from
rheumatoid arthritis were chosen. They were given lemongrass oil to apply for about 30
days. The pain scale was noted for every 2 to 3 days and the results showed a mild change in
the pain levels of the patient.

References

Boukhatem, M. N., Ferhat, M. A., Kameli, A., Saidi, F., & Kebir, H. T. (2014). Lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus) essential oil as a potent anti-inflammatory and antifungal
drugs. The Libyan journal of medicine, 9, 25431.
https://doi.org/10.3402/ljm.v9.25431
ETimes. (2016). Make your own lemograss oil. Retrieved December 17, 2016, from
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/make-your-own-lemongrass-oil/
articleshow/56006410.cms#:~:text=Making%20your%20own%20lemongrass
%2Dinfused,sunny%20place%20for%2048%20hours.
Gao, S. et al. (2020, December). Antimicrobial Activity of Lemongrass Essential Oil
(Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Its Active Component Citral Against Dual-Species
Biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida Species. Retrieved August 04, 2022
from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.603858/full
Hobby Farms. (n.d.). How to Harvest Lemongrass. Retrieved from
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/how-to-harvest-lemongrass/
Kassahun, T. et. al., (2020). Ethnobotany, traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology of
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https://www.researchgate.net/publication/345724511_Ethnobotany_traditional_use_phyto
chemistry_and_pharmacology_of_Cymbopogon_citratus_Review_article

Meenapriya, M. & Priya, J. (2017) Effect of Lemongrass Oil on Rheumatoid Arthritis. Pharm.
Sci. & Res. Vol. 9(2), 237-239. Retrived from
http://jpsr.pharmainfo.in/Documents/Volumes/vol9Issue02/jpsr09021734.pdf

Minasari and Nasution, DL. (2018) The Effectivity of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus)
Extract Against Porphyromonas gingivalis (in-vitro) Advances in Health Science
Research. (8) https://doi.org/10.2991/idcsu-17.2018.45
Oladeji, O. S. et. al., (2019). Phytochemistry and Pharmacological activities of Cymbopogon citratus:
A review. Retrieved November 30, 2019, from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227619306982

Rojas, S. (2016). Cymbopogan citratus (lemongrass). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from
https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/17377

Uwamose, Martin & Okolugbo, Bernard. (2016). Insecticidal Potentials of Lemon grass
(Cymbopogon citratus) Products against Stored Cowpea Weevil (Callosobruchus
maculatus) (F) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). International Journal of Scientific Research
in Knowledg. 4. 85-90. 10.12983/ijsrk-2016-p0085-0090.