Cymbopogon citratus Health Dictionary

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Cymbopogon Citratus: From 1 Different Sources

(DC.) Stapf.

Synonym: Andropogon citratus DC.

Family: Poaceae.

Habitat: Grown in Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka.

English: Lemongrass.

Ayurvedic: Bhuutika, Bhuutikaa.

Action: Leaf—stimulant, sudorific, antiperiodic, anticatarrhal. Essential oil—carminative, anticholerin, depressant, analgesic, antipyretic, antibacterial, antifungal.

The lemongrass contains a volatile oil, with citral (about 70%), citronellal, geraniol and myrcene as its main constituents. Cetral and citronellal exhibit marked sedative activity.

The lemongrass is taken as a tea for digestive problems; it relaxes muscles of the stomach and gut, relieves spasm and flatulence. In catarrhal conditions, it is taken as a febrifuge.

An infusion of fresh leaves on oral administration has been found to produce dose-dependent analgesia in rats. This analgesic acitivity is caused by myrcene present in the leaf.

Geraniol and d-limonene from the essential oil induce activity of glu- tathione S-transferase, a detoxifying enzyme, which is believed to be a major factor for chemical carcinogen detoxification.
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Cymbopogon Jwarancusa

(Jones) Schult.

Synonym: Andropogon jwarancusa Jones.

Family: Poaceae.

Habitat: Himalayas from Kashmir to Assam, ascending up to more than 300 m and in the north-western plains.

Ayurvedic: Bhuutikaa, Laamajja- ka, Laamajja. (Subs. Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash.)

Unani: Izkhar.

Action: Blood purifier, bechic, anticholerin, emmenagogue, febrifuge, antirheumatic (also used in gout). Flower—styptic. Essential oil—antimicrobial.

Major constituent of the essential oil is piperitone (64.7%) others include borneol, cadinene, camphene, camphor, farnesene, geraniol, alpha-and beta-pinene. The antibacterial activity is attributed to piperitone.... cymbopogon jwarancusa

Cymbopogon Martinii

(Roxb.) Wats.

Andropogon martinii

Family: Poaceae.

Habitat: In drier parts of India; in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The most important centers of Rosha Grass oil production are Betul and Mimar in Madhya Pradesh and Nasik in Maharashtra.

English: Rosha Grass, Palmarosa.

Ayurvedic: Rohisha-trn, Dhyaama- ka.

Siddha/Tamil: Kavathampillu.

Action: Essential oil is used externally for stiff joints and lumbago, skin diseases, and in the treatment of baldness. Given internally in small doses in bilious complaints.

The essential oil obtained from mo- tia var. is rich in geraniol (79-95%).

The oil is known as Palmarosa, also

Rusa. Sofia var. yields an oil with lesser geraniol. It is known as Gingergrass Oil.... cymbopogon martinii

Cymbopogon Nardus

(Linn.) Rendle.

Synonym: Andropogon nardus Linn.

Family: Poaceae.

Habitat: Mainly in South India; cultivated to a small extent in warmer parts of India.

English: Ceylon Citronella Grass.

Ayurvedic: Jambir-trn (var.).

Siddha/Tamil: Kamachipillu.

Action: Leaf—stomachic, carminative, spasmolytic, mild astringent. Essential oil—stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic, rubefacient, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal.

Lemongrass and lemongrass oil preparations are used almost exclusively in combinations for disorders and discomforts of gastrointestinal tract, muscle pain and neuralgia, colds, various nervous disturbances and for conditions of exhaustion.

Major constituents of the essential oil are: citronellal 31.6, neral 28.6, cit- ronellol 10.6, elemicine 7.3, geranyl acetate 4.6, elemol 3.7, limonene 3.2 and isopulegol 2.7%.

Citronella oil is also used as an insect repellent.... cymbopogon nardus

Cymbopogon Schoenanthus

Spreng.

Synonym: Andropogon schoenan- thus Linn.

Family: Poaceae.

Habitat: Warmer parts of India, from Punjab to Bengal and in South India.

English: Camel-Hay.

Ayurvedic: Rohisha (var.).

Unani: Rusaa Ghaas, Izkhar.

Siddha/Tamil: Karpurapul, Rohisha- trna.

Action: Roots and rhizome— carminative, stimulant, diaphoretic, emmenagogue; used for fever, cold and genitourinary affections.

Fresh leaves yield an essential oil (yield 0.8%). It contains a series of methyl ketones, along with limonene 19.5, camphene 8.0%, and a group of oxygenated sesquiterpenes, the major being elemol 4.5%.

The fragrant oil is known as Rusa or Geranium Oil and is used as a substitute for rose oil. It exhibits stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic and diaphoretic properties. It is applied externally in rheumatism and neuralgia.... cymbopogon schoenanthus

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