Cymbopogon also known as Lemon Grass or गवती चहा in local term is cultivated all over India. These grass specially found in Western ghats, Punjab and Hilly terrains of India.These grass commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that of lemons. These grass can be easily planted in home without any special assistance and it can be used for many home remedies as well.
Latin Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Family: Gramineae Syn. Poaceae
Synonyms: Lemon grass,Malabar grass,Fever grass.
SanskritSynonyms: Bhutrun,Bhutik,Sharban,Chatra.
Gunadharma
Rasa : katu and tikta
Guna : Tikshna (Sharp),Laghu (Light to digest)
Vipaka: Katu (Pungent after post digestion)
Veerya : Ushna (Hot in potency)
Home Remedies
1. Tea made of it leaves promotes good digestion
2. Leaf Decoction is diaphoretic and Expectorant in property, so it can be used in Cough, Fever.
3. Leaf paste is used internally for intestinal worm and skin obstinate disorders.
4.Its oil as external application relieves muscle cramps, spasms, rheumatic pains, gout.
5. Used in treatment of Malarial fever.
6. Leaf tea for nausea and headache
Medicinal Use with Ref. of Ayurveda
1. स्वेदजनन : Diaphoretic in nature. Induce Sweating
2. ज्वरघ्न : Antipyretic
3.मूत्रजनन : Diuretic
4.वातानुलोमक : Elimination of Vata
5.कफवातहर : Alleviate effect of kapha and Vata
6.दीपन-पाचन : Promotes appetite and digestion
7.मुखशुध्दिकर: For mouth disorders
8. त्वगरोगनाशक : for obstinate skin disorders
9. Also for psychosomatic disorders.
10.It’s decoction used in fever,diarrhoea, spasmodic pain,tetanus,vomiting,rhinitis,and cholera.
11.Taila is used in pain, arthritis and back pain
Dosage: Oil: 3 drops
Tea : 50ml
Chemical Composition: 1.Volatile oil called Indian Melissa oil containing Citral
2. Ionone
3. Vitamin A
References:
Bhavprakash Nighatu
Guduchyadi varga
भूतृणं कटुकं तिक्तं तीक्ष्णोष्णं रेचनं लघु । विदाहि दीपनं रूक्षमनेत्र्यं मुखशोधनम् | अवृष्यं बहुविट्कञ्च पित्तरक्तप्रदूषणम् ॥
Wisdom Ayurveda 