# Lemongrass Stunning Guide: Best Uses and Tips

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/perennial-cymbopogon-citratus/
- Published: 2026-09-27T18:02:01-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Lemongrass (cymbopogon citratus), is an indispensable component in Thai, Lao, Cambodian
and Vietnamese cooking. With its fragrant herbaceous and citrus notes it adds depth
to soups, curries, stews and marinades alike.

Whole stalks can be used to add aromas and flavors to dishes, while chopped, pounded
or ground leaves can be mixed into tea blends for soothing benefits that help alleviate
headaches, reduce high blood pressure and soothe fevers.

## What is lemongrass?

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) stalks are widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine
to add lemony aroma and flavor. Lemongrass makes an excellent ingredient in fresh
herbal tea blends; you can purchase fresh stalks, dried ones or powder forms of 
it.

Brewing lemongrass tea may provide additional health benefits in addition to flavor
enhancement, such as aiding digestion, supporting immunity and relaxing muscles.
Furthermore, its effects may even act as natural insect repellent.

Citral and geranial compounds found in lemongrass contribute to its anti-inflammatory
properties, helping suppress pro-inflammatory chemicals released by your body. According
to research published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, lemongrass
tea consumption may also help lower systolic blood pressure as well as improve heart
health by slowing your heart rate; additionally it may alleviate gastrointestinal
distress as well as relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia, rheumatism and migraines;
it may even promote metabolism for weight loss!

## The origin of lemongrass

Lemongrass has long been used as both food and medicinal plant, traditionally making
tea out of its leaves to treat stomachaches, flatulence, colic and other digestive
ailments.

Belonging to both antifungal and anti-inflammatory families of compounds, this tea
has also been found to reduce E. coli bacteria toxicity levels while killing off
other microbes that cause infections.

Lemongrass essential oil has been shown to have a relaxing and rejuvenating effect
on pitta dosha, helping reduce excess kapha energy through sweating and detoxification.
When added to massage oil, its soothing effects strengthen muscles and nerves.

Lemongrass plants grow in dense clumps of stiff and tall stalks. Ideal for sunny
locations outdoors or protected window sills indoors. Lemongrass requires only moderate
nutrition but will respond negatively if suddenly increased levels occur; so be 
sure to provide sufficient soil or compost when cultivating this perennial species.

## Is lemongrass an herb?

Lemongrass plants offer many health advantages. As an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
herb, it can reduce inflammation. Furthermore, its oil has larvicidal activity to
protect against mosquito-borne diseases that have become an increasing problem globally.
Furthermore, this plant is said to help relieve stomachaches, digestive issues, 
fevers and inflammation symptoms.

Lemongrass water extract has been shown to have sedative and antianxiety effects,
while also decreasing blood pressure in animals, likely due to its central nervous
system-depressant activity and ability to lower stress responses.

Additionally, CBD may help ease anxiety by suppressing acetylcholinesterase enzyme.
This enzyme breaks down acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter involved in
nervous system function and muscle movement; keeping more of this neurotransmitter
within your brain could reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Finally, studies
have also demonstrated its antimicrobial benefits by blocking growth of bacteria
that cause infection such as thrush.

## Hardiness

 * Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a tender perennial (Zones 9-11)

## Appearance Of Lemongrass

[Lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/), botanically
known as Cymbopogon, is a tall perennial grass found across Asia, Australia, and
Africa. At Teatulia’s USDA-certified organic tea garden located near India’s northern
border at the base of Himalayan mountains we harvest [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
native to this region.

This plant boasts an intense citrus fragrance and flavor, with its oils used as 
flavoring agents. Similar in aroma to ginger but offering additional notes such 
as bright floral and cooling mint notes.

[Lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/) can be 
used as an insect repellent and research has revealed its antibacterial, antifungal,
and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects 
have also been proven to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels while
aiding weight loss3.3

## How to use lemongrass

Lemongrass adds an aromatic citrusy-floral-herbal note to dishes such as soups, 
curries, grilled meat and other forms of cooking requiring floral flavors – such
as Thai cuisine. Lemongrass also plays an integral part in Vietnamese and other 
Southeast Asian cuisine.

When purchasing fresh lemongrass, look for stalks that are fragrant and firm. Their
lower end should have a lemony-green hue near the bulb before becoming fully green
as they travel up the stalk. When shopping, avoid any stalks which have become limp,
bruised, or covered in brown rust stains.

Lemongrass can be found at most Asian food and grocery stores, as well as large 
markets with an expansive produce section. If fresh isn’t your preference, many 
supermarkets sell precut and dried varieties that can be kept stored tightly wrapped
in the refrigerator or frozen (either whole or ground down to paste form). Lemongrass
lasts six months when stored properly frozen if stored whole in its entirety or 
ground into paste form for storage purposes.

## Substitute for lemongrass

 * Substitute zest from 1 lemon for 2 stalks of lemon grass
 * OR for 1 lemon grass stalk use 1 teaspoon lemon balm
 * OR 2 lemon verbena leaves

## Equivalents

 * 2 stalks lemon grass = 1 tablespoon finely chopped
   1 stalk trimmed = 1 teaspoon
   powdered lemon grass (sereh powder)

## Tips for Growing

[Lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/) thrives
in warm environments and should be considered perennial. If you live in colder regions,
containers could be grown and brought inside during the winter.

As with other tropical plants, [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
requires warmth and moisture for its best growth. “Ideally it should be planted 
in rich, fertile soil with good drainage,” advises Nesvacil. A layer of organic 
mulch helps retain soil moisture levels while suppressing weeds.

Plant seeds in cell packs or flats and lightly cover them with compost to enhance
germination. Water them regularly until they reach at least 6 inches in height before
transplanting outside in direct sunlight.

Harvest [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
when it is firm and fresh with thick white bases. Use tender inner stalks in soups,
stews and tea; discard or freeze the dry outer ones. [Lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
has been long recognized for its antibacterial, antifungal, and microbial properties
that make it ideal for treating garden fungus as well as protecting other crops 
against disease or insects that might otherwise plague them.

## Overwintering Indoors

Frost hardy perennials may be left outside all winter, while semitropicals and tender
perennials must be protected from the cold weather and snowfall. This is especially
important when transplanting new transplants or those not yet established into their
natural environments. Overwintering them indoors is a simple yet effective solution
that ensures spring arrives as planned.

Step one of overwintering plants involves selecting an ideal location. An unheated
garage or three-season porch are often suitable; as long as their temperatures do
not fluctuate significantly. Kitchens or bathrooms with higher humidity levels may
also work well.

[Lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/) thrives
beautifully in Teatulia’s USDA-certified organic tea garden in Northern Bangladesh,
bordering India and nestled against the foothills of the Himalayan mountains. Our
harvest of Cymbopogon citratus for our invigorating [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
herbal infusion satisfies Mintel research which suggests customers shop with their
senses; our upbeat [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
flavors and aromas provide the perfect experience, sensation or craving!

## Storing

When purchasing fresh [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/),
look for stalks with vibrant green colors that feature round bulbs that have bright
fragrances. Avoid specimens that appear wilted or brown-looking; these could indicate
that their time has come. [Lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
can be found year-round at Asian markets and specialty food stores as well as some
major supermarket chains’ chiller produce aisles.

After purchasing or harvesting [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/),
handle it gently in order to prevent bruising and deterioration. For quick preservation
purposes, flash freezing can quickly preserve [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/):
simply put trimmed and washed [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
bundles in the freezer for around 30 minutes, before placing them into airtight 
containers or bags for long-term storage with labels and dates for each container
or bag indicating how long their storage duration lasts.

Refrigerating [lemongrass](https://lifeandwork.blog/gardening-how-to-grow-lemongrass/)
requires creating an humid environment to help preserve its freshness for at least
one to two weeks. By covering its container or bag with plastic wrap, humidity levels
will help the stalks remain hydrated and remain fresh and moist throughout storage.

Ultimate Guide to LEMONGRASS 

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