Lemon grass stems are typically used in Asian cuisine, especially Thai, but the herb lends itself to other forms of cuisine as well.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) makes a delicious and refreshing herbal tea infusion. All you need to do is select a couple of leaves. Make sure they are clean (no visitors!).  Cut them into small lengths with scissors and put them into a cup.  Pour on boiling water and leave for a few minutes for the infusion to take place. Lemon grass is reputed to be an effective diuretic. Some people add milk and sugar.   Make iced lemongrass tea by using approximately eight stalks of lemongrass to one quart of boiling water. Cool the tea after straining and serve with ice.
Lemongrass  is just one of the herbs which give Asian cooking its distinctive flavor.   It adds an aromatic citrus flavor and a little touch of ginger.  It is used to flavor fish and poultry dishes.  However worldwide lemongrass is used in other dishes such as soups and stews.  It blends well with garlic and cilantro and chillies.  When used in cooking the top of the leaves are removed and it is the lower part of the stem which is used.

A tall perennial grass,  lemongrass belongs to a grass family.  Originally from warm temperate and tropical regions of the Europe, Asia and Oceania.  It has a number of common names including barbed wire grass, citronella grass and fever grass. It does well in America in appropriate conditions and is an easy plant to grow.

If you want to propagate it yourself there are a number of options. At the base of the leaves are bulbs similar to those of a spring onion.  One bulb is sufficient to get started and will develop into a clump of lemon grass.   So look out for it in the gardens of friends and neighbors and you might be able to start with a bulb from someone else’s plant.  I love doing that because every time I look at a plant that was given to me I remember the person.

Alternatively, if your supermarket sells lemongrass look for stalks that still have part of the bulb. If you put them into a jar of water there a good chance they will produce roots.  Finally it is possible to grow them from seed.  The seeds need heat to propagate and in the northern hemisphere are best planted in from January to March.  If you live in a colder area then you could try planting your seeds indoors and place the pot in a sunny window.  Later you can put them outside for period over a couple of weeks to harden them off.

Lemongrass is an attractive herb and will look equally well in your home herb garden as a contrast to other leafy herbs, or in your ornamental garden.

It has many  medicinal benefits attributed to it.   It is a detox, cleansing the liver, the pancreas, the kidneys and intestines.   It does this by reducing the amounts of uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body.   At the same time it stimulates digestion, and circulation.  It has a reputation as a remedy for colds and fevers and can help to reduce inflammation of the cornea in the eye.   It relieves muscle and joint pains and headaches  and tones muscles and other tissues. When boiled, lemongrass releases significant amounts  of  beta-carotene the anti-oxidant.

The common name for Lemongrass is citronella – a popular aromatic aroma you find in candles, perfumes and soaps. The aroma of citronella has a calming effect that relieves insomnia or stress. It is also considered as a mild insect repellent.

A very useful plant for your home herb garden.

Good herbs gardening!

* Disclaimer: Information on Home Herb Garden about various medicinal uses of herbs is provided for your enlightenment, entertainment and education only.  Please do not use these herbs without expert advice from properly qualified personnel.   See my full disclaimer for more information.