Lemongrass

LEMONGRASS | LIMONCILLO

Lemongrass is the vibrant, lemony stalk you’ve seen in Thai curries, Caribbean teas, and backyard medicine gardens. This isn’t just a flavoring. It’s a pan-tropical healer, a digestive champion, and a spiritual cleanser all wrapped into one graceful, swaying grass. And its history. Global. Ancient. Beautifully rooted in ritual, remedy, and resilience.

Lemongrass belongs to the Cymbopogon genus- a family of about 50 species of tropical grasses native to India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. Cymbopogon citratus, the species most used in culinary and medicinal practices, likely originated in Southern India or Sri Lanka, where it has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to treat everything from digestive distress to fevers and infections. In Ayurveda, lemongrass is considered cooling, drying, and invigorating- perfect for clearing dampness, heat, and emotional fog.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it’s used to release the exterior- which means it helps the body break a sweat to push out early-stage colds or flu. It's also used to invigorate digestion and dispel internal heat, especially when someone feels heavy, bloated, or mentally sluggish. Its nickname is "Fever grass", because it does exactly that- reduces fever while supporting immune function.

As lemongrass moved across trade routes, it became beloved in Southeast Asian culinary traditions. In Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, it’s foundational- simmered into broths, pounded into spice pastes, and brewed into teas. But don’t be fooled by the foodie fame- lemongrass is also burned in ceremonial smoke, used to purify homes, and planted near doorways as a spiritual protector.

In West Africa and the Caribbean, lemongrass - often called fever grass, te de limón, or citronelle - is used in bush medicine to treat fevers, infections, high blood pressure, anxiety, and insomnia. It’s commonly brewed into teas, steeped in baths, or used in spiritual cleansings to remove negative energy and restore inner peace.

The plant’s rise to global fame accelerated in the early 20th century, when lemongrass essential oil began to appear in European perfumery and medicine. Containing citral, a powerful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compound, the oil became known for treating skin infections, fungal issues, and as a natural insect repellent.

Modern science now confirms what traditional healers knew all along. Lemongrass is loaded with antioxidants, antimicrobial properties, and compounds that support detoxification, circulation, and mental clarity. It calms the nervous system while stimulating digestion. It lifts the mood without overstimulation. It brings relief, focus, and flavor, all in one.

Energetically, lemongrass is a clarifier. It cuts through mental haze, emotional heaviness, and energetic gunk. It says, Let’s clear this out. Let’s get moving again. It’s the herb of refreshment, mental reset, and inner lightness- whether you’re sipping it in tea, inhaling it in a steam, or tucking it under your pillow for a peaceful night’s sleep. A reminder that clarity, calm, and strength can sometimes grow waist-high in the garden and smell like lemon on the wind.

Medicinal Uses of Lemongrass

• Reduces Fever
  Commonly known as fever grass in the Caribbean and West Africa, lemongrass helps lower body temperature by inducing sweat and supporting immune function.

• Supports Digestive Health
  Used to relieve bloating, indigestion, gas, and stomach cramps. Acts as a gentle carminative and antispasmodic, easing digestive discomfort and improving gut motility.

• Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relief
  Contains citral and limonene, which offer anti-inflammatory effects, especially useful for headaches, joint pain, and muscle soreness when used internally or as a compress.

• Antimicrobial and Antifungal
  Effective against bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Lemongrass essential oil is often used topically to treat athlete’s foot, ringworm, and minor skin infections.

• Supports Mental Clarity and Reduces Anxiety
  Traditionally used to calm the nerves, reduce restlessness, and support mental focus. Lemongrass tea and essential oil are often used to help lift brain fog and relieve stress.

• Relieves Cold and Flu Symptoms
  Helps open up congested airways, calm coughs, and support sweating during fever. Often used in steams or teasduring early-stage colds.

• Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Circulation
  Traditionally used to help reduce hypertension, support circulatory function, and tone the cardiovascular system—often as a daily tea in folk traditions.

• Natural Detoxifier
  Promotes kidney function and helps eliminate toxins through increased urination and mild diuretic action.

• Promotes Restful Sleep
  Soothing to the nervous system and useful for those dealing with insomnia, especially when stress-related. Often blended with calming herbs like chamomile or lemon balm.

• Insect Repellent
  Lemongrass essential oil is a key ingredient in many natural mosquito repellents and can be used in sprays or diffusers.