Lemongrass: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Introduction

Lemongrass, also called Cymbopogon citratus, is a plant that belongs to the family Gramineae or Poaceae. In Greek, ‘Cymbopogon’ means boat-beard. It is a fragrant, long-living plant that is native to Sri Lanka and South India. Today, it widely grows throughout Asia and tropical America. Freshly cut and slightly dried lemongrass leaves are used to extract essential oils that are further used for medicinal purposes¹.

The common names of lemongrass are Sera, Verveine in Hindi; Citronella, Squinant in English; Cimbopogone in Italian; Citongrass in Swedish; Sereh in Indonesian; Zacate Limon in Mexican; Sakumau in Malaysia; Tej-sar in Ethiopia; Capim-cidrao, Capim-Santo in Brazil; Citronella in the USA; Limon out in Turkish; Ta-khrai in Thailand².

Nutritional Value of Lemongrass

The nutritional composition in 100g of lemongrass is³:

• Carbohydrates: 25.3 g
• Proteins: 1.82 g
• Fats: 0.49 g
• Energy: 99 kcal
• Iron: 8.17 mg
• Calcium: 65 mg
• Sodium: 6 mg
• Potassium: 723 mg
• Phosphorus: 101 mg
• Magnesium: 60 mg
• Manganese: 5.22 mg
• Copper: 0.266 mg
• Zinc: 2.23 mg
• Selenium: 0.7 µg
• Vitamin A: 6 IU
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): 0.065 mg
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0.135 mg
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 1.1 mg
• Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): 0.05 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.08 mg
• Vitamin B9 (Folate): 75 µg
• Vitamin C: 2.6 mg

Properties of Lemongrass

The many properties of lemongrass are as follows^{2, 4}:

• It may show anti-inflammatory property
• It may sow antioxidant property
• It may show antihypertensive (blood pressure lowering) property
• It may show anti-obesity property
• It may show anti-bacterial property (kills bacteria)
• It may show anti-fungal property (kills fungi)
• It may show analgesic property (pain killer)
• It may show anti-diarrhoeal property   
• It may help with malaria
• It may help lower skin damage
• It may show anti-helmintic property (kills parasitic worms)
• It may show acaricidal property (kills ticks and mites)
• It may show anticancer property

Potential Uses of Lemongrass

Lemongrass has many properties, because of which it shows potential uses in many disease conditions.

1. For Infection

• Anti-bacterial property: Lemongrass exhibited anti-bacterial properties in a lab study⁵. Some compounds in lemongrass were identified to show anti-bacterial properties against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
• Anti-fungal property: Lemongrass was found to have anti-fungal properties. It could inhibit the growth of fungi that secrete mycotoxins (a toxic substance produced by fungi) in food products and grains⁶.

The antimicrobial potential of lemongrass has been observed in lab-scale studies. However, more large-scale trials are needed to support the use of lemongrass for infections in humans. Therefore, you are advised to follow the advice of a doctor in case of infectious diseases.

2. For Heart Health and Obesity

Several studies⁶ have tested lemongrass as a hypoglycaemic (lowering blood sugar level) and hypolipidemic (lowering lipid in the blood) agent to reduce the risk of obesity and hypertension. It was found to lower high cholesterol levels in humans, thus showing heart-protecting activity. It was also found to help lose excess weight in overweight patients. However, if you experience any heart problems or want to lose weight, contact your doctor and follow the doctor’s advice.

3. For Inflammation

Tissue inflammation is considered one of the leading causes of serious health problems. It is found to be linked with diseases like diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular (related to heart and blood vessels) disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. Several researchers reported that lemongrass contains polyphenols that may show anti-inflammatory properties and reduce inflammation⁷. However, before using lemongrass or other herbal remedies for health benefits, you should talk to a doctor or doctor.

4. For Anxiety

Many researchers have studied the anti-anxiety effects of lemongrass tea. An experiment⁶ found that the lemongrass decoction (concentrated solution) and lemongrass tea could show anti-anxiety effects when given to animals. However, if you struggle with anxiety, talk to a psychiatrist about your symptoms.  

5. For Stomach Health

The boiled and concentrated solution of lemongrass leaf stalk may be used to manage diarrhoea⁴. Lemongrass tea might be used to manage indigestion, stomach pain, and gastric ulcers by protecting the linings of the stomach⁴. If you experience stomach problems, consult your doctor before using lemongrass to aid your symptoms. Using herbal remedies without a doctor’s consultation can worsen the situation.

6. For Liver Health

The leaf extract of lemongrass was tested for its liver activity. It was found to be helpful for managing disorders or diseases of the liver⁸. However, if you are suffering from liver diseases, using any herb without consulting a doctor can damage the liver. Therefore, talk to your doctor before using lemongrass.

Though there are studies showing the benefits of lemongrass in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of lemongrass on human health. 

Based on my experience, I have observed that fresh leaves of lemongrass might have activity against Setaria digitata, a filarial parasite. Lemongrass may possess antifilarial properties, which could help in combating filarial infections¹¹.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

How to Use Lemongrass

Lemongrass can be used:

• As tea
• As essential oil
• In aromatic water
• As a cooking ingredient

You must consult a qualified doctor before taking lemongrass or any herbal supplements. Likewise, do not discontinue or replace an ongoing modern medical treatment with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.

Over the years, I have observed that the fresh leaf of lemongrass essential oil may have larvicidal activity, which means it can potentially kill mosquito larvae. This activity could be beneficial in controlling mosquito populations and reducing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases¹¹.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Side Effects of Lemongrass

Usually, lemongrass is considered safe for cooking, but if consumed in an excessive amount, it can cause side effects like:

• Dry mouth
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Frequent urination
• Increased appetite
• Allergic reactions like rash and itching

Before using lemongrass or other herbs for their health benefits, talk to your doctor about the possible side effects. This will help you make well-informed choices.

Precautions to Take with Lemongrass

Lemongrass should be avoided during pregnancy, as there is a chance that it may start menstrual flow⁹. Also, an animal study¹⁰ was found to affect the embryo. Therefore, lemongrass should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Also, before taking lemongrass against any disease conditions, consult your doctor about the possible precautions and limitations of using lemongrass.

In my experience, lemongrass essential oil may have promising antinociceptive effects, meaning it may help reduce pain sensation. While it appears to work both locally and internally through the central nervous system, it’s important to note that individual responses may differ in each person¹¹.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Interactions with Other Drugs

There is no sufficient information available. However, if you are taking medicines for a health condition, talk to your doctor about the possible interactions of the drug with other medications and herbs. It will help you avoid unwanted herb-drug interactions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Gurjar ES, Gowda KV, Gs N, Mishra S. Lemongrass: a traditional ethno-medicinal plant of India. ResearchGate. 2024 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10725291
2. Shah G, Shri R, Panchal V, Sharma N, Singh B, Mann A. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf (Lemon grass). Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research. 2011 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3217679/
3. Lemon grass (citronella), raw nutrition facts and analysis. NutritionValue.org. [Internet]. [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Lemon_grass_%28citronella%29%2C_raw_nutritional_value.html?size=100+g 
4. Manvitha K, Bidya B. Review on pharmacological activity of Cymbopogon citratus. International Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2014 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://www.florajournal.com/archives/2014/vol1issue6/PartA/3.1.1.pdf 
5. Ekpenyong CE, Akpan EE, Daniel NE. Phytochemical Constituents, Therapeutic Applications and Toxicological Profile of Cymbopogon citratus Stapf (DC) Leaf Extract. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2014;3(1):133–41. Available at: https://www.phytojournal.com/vol3Issue1/Issue_may_2014/32.1.pdf
6. Olorunnisola SK, Asiyanbi -H. T., Hammed, A. M., Simsek S. Mini Review Biological properties of lemongrass : An overview. Int Food Res J. 2014;21(2):455–62. Available at: http://www.ifrj.upm.edu.my/21%20(02)%202014/4%20IFRJ%2021%20(02)%202014%20043.pdf 
7. Silva H, Bárbara R. Exploring the anti-hypertensive potential of lemongrass—A comprehensive review. Biology. 2022 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9598547/ 
8. Rahim S, Taha E, Al-Janabi, Al-Douri B, Simon K, Mazlan A. Hepatoprotective effect of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous extract against hydrogen peroxide-induced liver injury in male rats. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 2014 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4202655/ 
9. Santiago F, Peixoto M, Oliveira J, Coutinho M, Araújo C. Use of medicinal plants with teratogenic and abortive effects by pregnant women in a city in Northeastern Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2016 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10309309/ 
10. Da Silva II, Da Silva NPC, Marrs JA, Cadena PG. Essential oils produce developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos and cause behavior changes in zebrafish larvae. Biomedicines. 2023 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10603861/#sec5-biomedicines-11-02821
11. Shah G, Shri R, Panchal V, Sharma N, Singh B, Mann A. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, Stapf (Lemon grass). Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research. 2011 [cited 2025 May 15]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3217679/

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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