Introduction of Yun Xiang Cao:Lemongrass or Herba Cymbopogonis.

TCM Herbalism:Medicinals and Classifications. ✵The article gives records of the herb Lemongrass, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Lemongrass, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.

Herba Cymbopogonis(Lemongrass).

growing plants and fresh herbs of Lemongrass Pin Yin Name: Yún Xiāng Cǎo.
 English Name: Lemongrass,Remote Lemongrass Herb,Herb of Remote Lemongrass.
 Latin Name: Herba Cymbopogonis.
 Property and flavor: warm, pungent, bitter.

 Brief introduction: The Herb Herba Cymbopogonis is the dried aerial part of Cymbopogon distans (Nees) A. Camus, used to relieve cough and dyspnea. The herb is commonly known as Yún Xiāng Cǎo.

 Botanical source: The herb Herba Cymbopogonis (Lemongrass) is the dried aerial part of Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf., it is a plant of the Cymbopogon genus, the Poaceae family (Gramineae, grass family) of the Poales order. This commonly used species is introduced:

(1).Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.


 plants of Cymbopogon citratus DC.Stapf growing in a cluster Botanical description: Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf is commonly known as Lemongrass, Andropogon citratus, Guatemala lemongrass, Madagascar lemongrass, lemon grass or oil grass, or Xiang Mao. A perennial herb. The rod is thickset and grows up to 2 meters. It has a lemon fragrance. The leaf blade grows up to 1 meter long, and 15 mm wide, both surfaces are ash gray (grayish-white) and coarse. Spathes are lanceolate, narrow, 1.5~2 cm long, red or fawn (light yellowish brown), 3 to 5 times longer than peduncle; pseudo panicles are linear to oblong, scattered, branching triply, the base is discontinuous, branches are thin and declinate or slightly curved to arch form. The primary branch has 5 to 7 nodes, second or third branches have 2 to 3 nodes and are simple.

 Ecological environment: The plant grows on a hillside meadow. It is mainly distributed in the southwest and southern areas and Taiwan of China.

 Growth characteristics: The plant prefers a warm climate and sufficient sun environment, tolerant of drought, but not tolerant of shade. It has no strict requirement in soil, but it is appropriate to choose fertile and loose sandy loam with good drainage for cultivation.

 dried segments of Lemongrass herb Characters of herbs: The herb is commonly known as Herba Cymbopogonis Citrati, the whole herb reaches about 2 meters long, the rod is thickset, node part is often covered with wax powder. The leaf blade is strip-shaped, up to 1 meter long, and about 15 mm wide, the base is amplexicaular (stem-clasping); both surfaces are coarse, ash gray (grayish-white); the leaf sheath is smooth and glabrous; the paraphyll is thick and scaly. The whole herb has a lemon fragrance, and it tastes spicy and pungent, and a cool tingling sensation when chewing. The herb of a better grade is celadon (sage green or grayish-green), thick, leafy and has a strong fragrance.

 Pharmacological actions: ①.antiasthmatic effect; ②.antitussive effect; ③.antibacterial effect.

 Medicinal efficacy: Relieve the exterior syndrome, remove dampness through diuresis, relieve cough and calm asthma. Indicated for anemofrigid cold, sunstroke or summer affection, vomit diarrhea and abdominal pain, drenching pain in urination, rheumatism and pain or numbness, cough and panting.

 Administration of Herba Cymbopogonis (Yún Xiāng Cǎo): 
 
Reference: Administration Guide of Herba Cymbopogonis (Yún Xiāng Cǎo)
TCM Books: ①.Internally:water decoction, 3~5 qian (about 9~15 grams), big dosage 1~2 liang (about 30~60 grams),infusing in wine,Externally:fumigate wash with water decoction; ②.Internally:water decoction, 9~15 grams,big dosage could be 30~60 grams, or infusing in wine,Externally:proper amount, mashed and apply stick, or fumigate wash with water decoction.

 

 
  

 

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References:
  • 1.Introduction of Yun Xiang Cao:Lemongrass or Herba Cymbopogonis.

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