Cymbopogon, also known aslemongrass,barbed wire grass,silky heads,oily heads,Cochin grass,Malabar grass,citronella grass orfever grass, is a genus ofAsian,African,Australian, and tropical island plants in thegrass family.[5][6][7][8][9]Some species (particularlyCymbopogon citratus) are commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that oflemons (Citrus limon).The nameCymbopogon derives from the Greek wordskymbe (κύμβη, 'boat') andpogon (πώγων, 'beard') "which mean [that] in most species, the hairy spikelets project from boat-shaped spathes."[10] Lemongrass and its oil are believed to possess therapeutic properties.[9][11][12]
Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus andCymbopogon winterianus) grow to about 2 metres (6+1⁄2 ft) and have magenta-colored base stems. These species are used for the production ofcitronella oil, which is used in soaps, as aninsect repellent (especially mosquitoes and houseflies) in insect sprays and candles, and aromatherapy. The principal chemical constituents of citronella,geraniol andcitronellol, areantiseptics, hence their use in household disinfectants and soaps. Besides oil production, citronella grass is also used for culinary purposes as a flavoring.
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,[13] but a study in humans found no effect.[14] The tea caused a recurrence ofcontact dermatitis in one case.[15]Samoans andTongans use mashedC. citratus (calledmoegalo andmoengālō respectively) leaves as a traditional remedy for oral infections.[16][17]
InHoodoo, lemongrass is the primary ingredient ofvan van oil, one of the most popular oils used in conjure.[19] 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.[20]
^Bor, N. L. (1960). "The Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan".Soil Science.92 (5). Oxford: Pergamon Press: 351.doi:10.1097/00010694-196111000-00009.
^Blanco MM, Costa CA, Freire AO, Santos JG, Costa M (March 2009). "Neurobehavioral effect of essential oil ofCymbopogon citratus in mice".Phytomedicine.16 (2–3):265–70.doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2007.04.007.PMID17561386.
^Leite JR, Seabra Mde L, Maluf E, et al. (July 1986). "Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects on humans".J Ethnopharmacol.17 (1):75–83.doi:10.1016/0378-8741(86)90074-7.PMID2429120.
^Greer, John Michael (2016).The New Encyclopedia of the Occult (First ed.). Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications. p. 500.ISBN978-1-56718-336-8.
^Yronwode, Catherine (2002).Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic: A Materia Magica of African-American Conjure. Forestville, California: Lucky Mojo Curio Company. p. 123.ISBN978-0-9719612-0-3.
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