Witnessed by: Unani
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), of the Poaceae family. Densely tufted perennial grass in stout clumps, the leaf-blades long, drooping and rough-edged; it rarely flowers in cultivation; native range: known only in cultivation, of South and Southeast Asian origin; grown throughout the tropics for its oil. Globally recognized as izkhir in Arabic, izkhar · gandhej in Urdu, gandhatrina · nimbu ghas in Hindi, and lemongrass, West Indian lemongrass in English. The part used is leaf and the swollen leaf-base (the stem), and the distilled oil. Long grey-green blades that cut the hand and give a sharp clean lemon scent when bruised; the taste aromatic, warm and faintly bitter.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
LEMONGRASS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- lemongrass
- Scientific name
- Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf
- Family
- Poaceae
Form
- Part used
- leaf and the swollen leaf-base (the stem), and the distilled oil
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Unani
- aromatic · bitter · pungent
Temperature
- Unani
- hot (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- kidneys · bladder · stomach · liver · uterus
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Unani
- mudirr-e-baul (diuretic), mufatteh sudad (deobstruent), kasir-e-riyah (carminative), muhallil-e-waram (resolvent), mudirr-e-hayz (emmenagogue), musakkin-e-alam (analgesic), muarriq (diaphoretic)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- hot temperaments; pregnancy, the leaf and oil being emmenagogue
- Toxicity
- the leaf is a food and harmless; the concentrated oil irritates the skin and mucosa and is not to be taken in quantity
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