Introduction
Botanical profile and nutrition facts
Traditional and modern uses
Therapeutic benefits
Bioactive compounds and mechanisms
Safety and considerations
References
Further reading
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a medicinal and culinary herb rich in citral and polyphenols, and it demonstrates antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and metabolic effects in preclinical research. Current evidence highlights promising pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food preservation applications, although most therapeutic findings remain experimental rather than clinically validated.
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Introduction
Throughout Asia, Africa, and South America, lemongrass is widely used in cooking, traditional medicine, and the production of essential oils. Ongoing research continues to explore the phytochemical profile of lemongrass to expand its potential in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. 2,3 Lemongrass essential oil has also gained attention for potential antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, food preservation, and cardiometabolic applications, although most therapeutic evidence remains preclinical.1-4
Botanical profile and nutrition facts
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is primarily consumed as a tea, extract, or flavoring agent, rather than a macronutrient-rich food. Lemongrass, often referred to as a functional herb, contains small amounts of micronutrients such as vitamin A, folate, magnesium, potassium, calcium, sulfur, and phosphorus.
Lemongrass contains citral, flavonoids, and polyphenols, as well as polysaccharides, alkaloids, terpenes, sugars, and amino acids. The primary medicinal properties of lemongrass are attributed to its high phytochemical content, especially citral, rather than its caloric or protein composition.2
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of lemongrass essential oil indicates that this herb primarily consists of citral A (geranial), which accounts for 40-44% of its phytochemical content, followed by citral B (neral) at 32-40%. Flavonoids such as luteolin, rutin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and isoquercitrin are also abundant, accounting for about 24% of lemongrass oil.2 The phytochemical composition of lemongrass may vary according to geographical origin, harvesting conditions, extraction method, chemotype, and storage conditions, all of which can influence its potency and biological activity.2,3
Traditional and modern uses
Lemongrass is often brewed fresh into an herbal tea to reduce digestive symptoms like bloating and promote relaxation. In addition to tea, lemongrass is widely incorporated into soups, curries, and beverages.2,3
Lemongrass has historically been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian medicine to alleviate digestive, respiratory, and nervous discomfort, as well as treat fever and skin-related conditions.1 Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners similarly utilize lemongrass to promote circulation, alleviate pain, and support gastrointestinal function, with dry leaf infusions consumed for their calming and mood-balancing effects.
Lemongrass essential oils are increasingly incorporated into food preservation systems, biodegradable packaging, aromatherapy preparations, topical formulations, and natural cosmetic products because of their fragrance and antimicrobial properties.2-4
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Therapeutic benefits
Lemongrass extracts are used in skincare products for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Likewise, oral care products such as mouthwashes and dental hygiene preparations may contain lemongrass ingredients for their antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as antifungal activity against Fusarium avenaceum and several Candida species.1-4
Experimental studies, mainly in cell and laboratory models, also suggest antiviral activity against some enveloped viruses and anticancer effects, including induction of apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, modulation of oxidative stress, and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.4
Lemongrass exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, largely attributed to its polyphenols and citral content. In animal models, plant extracts reduced oxidative stress induced by harmful chemicals, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), thereby preventing cell injury while increasing the enzymatic activity of antioxidants, such as glutathione and catalase.
Lemongrass appears to support metabolic and cardiovascular health by improving glucose control, lipid profiles, and endothelial function, with substantial glucose-lowering effects reported in some animal models. Hypertensive benefits have also been observed, including enhanced blood vessel relaxation and widening.2,3 Additional preclinical evidence suggests hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, and neuroprotective effects that may be linked to reduced oxidative injury and inflammatory signaling.2,3
Bioactive compounds and mechanisms
Lemongrass extracts reduce oxidative stress and regulate key signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), while lowering levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).1 Moreover, lemongrass inhibits reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are highly unstable free radicals that promote inflammation, in addition to supporting the effects of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Bioactive components of lemongrass can also reduce matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a molecule linked to tissue breakdown and inflammation.1
Lemongrass essential oils contain molecules that increase bacterial cell permeability, disrupt bacterial genetic material, and prevent biofilm adherence. These formulations also inhibit fungal growth and relax blood vessels by increasing cellular nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, thereby supporting vascular function and limiting early atherosclerotic changes.1,3
Citral, geraniol, myrcene, limonene, and other terpenoid compounds contribute synergistically to these biological activities through membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, modulation of mitochondrial pathways, quorum sensing interference, and anti-biofilm activity.2-4
Encapsulation, nanoemulsions, and other delivery systems are being explored to improve the stability, solubility, bioavailability, and controlled release of lemongrass essential oils for food and pharmaceutical applications.2,3
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Safety and considerations
Lemongrass is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food additive and as an ingredient in mouthwashes and cosmetic products intended for oromucosal and dermal use. Nevertheless, mild to moderate adverse effects, such as skin irritation, have been reported.1,2 High concentrations of essential oils may also cause mucosal irritation, allergic reactions, or cytotoxicity depending on dose, formulation, and route of exposure.1,4
Importantly, human clinical evidence supporting mangosteen's health benefits is limited, with most findings derived from in vitro or in vivo studies. Thus, well-designed controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to assess long-term safety and effectiveness in humans. Optimizing extraction methods to obtain maximum therapeutic effects would enable more scalable operations and practical use for human health.1,2
Standardization of lemongrass extracts and essential oil formulations remains an important challenge for clinical translation because phytochemical variability can significantly affect potency, reproducibility, dosing, and regulatory evaluation.2,3
Overall, lemongrass is considered a versatile medicinal and culinary plant with promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and metabolic potential. With continued research into its bioactive profile, lemongrass may emerge as a valuable candidate for future nutraceutical and integrative health applications.1-4
References
- Kusuma, I. Y., Perdana, M. I., Vágvölgyi, C., et al. (2024). Exploring the Clinical Applications of Lemongrass Essential Oil: A Scoping Review. Pharmaceuticals 17(2); 159. DOI: 10.3390/ph17020159. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/2/159
- Wan, S., & Xing, B. (2025). Research progress on chemical composition, biological activity and application of lemongrass and its essential oils. Journal of Functional Foods 135; 107083. DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2025.107083. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464625004256
- Tazi, A., Zinedine, A., Rocha, J. M., & Errachidi, F. (2024). Review on the pharmacological properties of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as a promising source of bioactive compounds. Pharmacological Research - Natural Products 3; 100046. DOI: 10.1016/j.prenap.2024.100046. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295019972400034X
- Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz, A., Esteban, J., & Jabłońska-Trypuć, A. (2024). Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Anticancer Activity of Plant Materials Derived from Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf Species. Pharmaceuticals, 17(6), 705. DOI: 10.3390/ph17060705, https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/6/705
Further Reading
Last Updated: May 21, 2026