For generations, lemongrass—locally known as ตะไคร้แกง or ตะไคร้บ้าน—has enjoyed a treasured status in kitchens and clinics across Thailand. Its unmistakable citrus fragrance infuses classic Thai curries, soups, and teas, while ancient healers and modern folk alike have praised its medicinal powers. Today, scientific studies are beginning to unlock the reasons behind the enduring reverence for this remarkable plant, illuminating the complex chemistry underpinning its traditional uses and raising fresh questions about its future role in natural health.
Cymbopogon citratus, as it is known scientifically, is not just a botanical emblem of Thai life but a bridge between past wisdom and present inquiry. Understanding its roots in culture and medicine helps lay the foundation for responsible, evidence-informed use—ensuring that the legacy of lemongrass remains vibrant, safe, and relevant for new generations seeking holistic health.
Across Thailand, lemongrass is more than a food flavoring: it is a constant presence in rural and urban households alike. Known by diverse local names—คาหอม among the people of Mae Hong Son, จะไคร in northern regions, เซิดเกรย in Khmer communities of Surin, ห่อวอตะโป่ among the Karen, and หัวสิงไค near Prachinburi—this grass testifies to its deep embedment in the nation’s social and botanical fabric. Traditional healers have long recommended lemongrass teas or decoctions for fevers, digestive complaints, menstrual cramps, and as a gentle diuretic. In folk practice, crushed stalks might even be rubbed on the skin to repel insects or relieve inflammatory conditions.
The legend of lemongrass as both food and medicine is hardly limited to Thailand. Across Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia, Cymbopogon citratus is prized equally for its culinary zest and broad pharmacological reputation. However, Thailand’s distinctive culinary and cultural application—incorporating lemongrass in dishes like “tom yum goong” or steaming stalks as herbal compresses—speaks to a uniquely ingrained versatility (Green Cover Initiative, White Rabbit Institute of Healing).
Beyond the kitchen and folk clinic, the plant’s essential oil has long held a place in Thai aromatherapy, used for soothing tension and sharpening focus. In bustling city markets and tranquil countryside gardens alike, its slender stalks evoke a story of intersection, where tradition effortlessly meets the rapidly expanding world of evidence-based herbalism.
The validity of these long-standing uses is now being probed by scientists worldwide. In an era marked by antibiotic resistance and skepticism towards synthetic drugs, researchers have paid close attention to natural alternatives like lemongrass, for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory promise. This curiosity has yielded a growing catalog of studies analyzing the chemistry, safety, and medicinal benefits of Cymbopogon citratus to both support and qualify its ancestral reputation.
Among the most compelling features of lemongrass are its volatile oils, especially citral—a mixture of the related molecules neral and geranial—that impart its refreshing aroma and form the backbone of many of its medicinal claims. Laboratory investigations have confirmed that these compounds, along with a host of minor constituents (such as terpenes, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and esters), can exert broad-spectrum antibacterial, antifungal, and even antiviral effects (NCBI, ScienceDirect). For example, studies show citral’s ability to disrupt the cell membranes of pathogenic bacteria and inhibit the growth of certain fungi, suggesting a scientific rationale for the plant’s use in treating infections.
A synthesis of dozens of international studies confirms that extracts and essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus possess significant pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antipyretic effects (ResearchGate, ScienceDirect). In vivo studies—primarily using animal models—have found that lemongrass extracts can help reduce fever, mitigate swelling, and even modulate pain perception through pathways similar to synthetic medications, but possibly with fewer side effects.
Of particular interest to medical researchers are lemongrass’s digestive effects. Ethnopharmacological surveys from northern Thailand describe the common use of lemongrass teas or infusions as general stomach remedies, targeting bloating, nausea, and cramps (Health and Wellbeing News). Laboratory studies suggest that the essential oil lowers gastrointestinal muscle contractions, providing a plausible mechanism for the relief observed in traditional Thai practice. Similarly, its gentle diuretic action, thought to help “cool” the body and flush out toxins in folk medicine, has a basis in controlled studies showing increased urine production following lemongrass ingestion, at least in the context of animal models (ResearchGate PDF).
In the contemporary health context, lemongrass is even receiving attention as a potential adjunct or alternative in managing chronic diseases. Some studies have reported blood pressure-lowering effects in hypertensive animal models, while others have highlighted anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and sedative properties, hinting at possible benefits for stress management (Taylor & Francis, White Rabbit Institute of Healing). While encouraging, it is vital to note that robust, large-scale clinical trials in humans are still limited, and many reported effects derive from laboratory and preliminary human studies.
In addition, research in the context of oral health has found that mouth rinses and gels containing Cymbopogon citratus extracts can reduce oral fungal loads, pointing to a possible role in complementary treatment for oral candidiasis (Tandfonline). Similar findings document its usefulness as a gentle, plant-based antimicrobial for minor skin conditions and as a mosquito repellent. Curiously, in recent years, Thai entrepreneurs and local wisdom groups have revived and modernized traditional lemongrass balms, soaps, and sprays for household and personal care, blending ancestral recipes with contemporary consumer demand (ScienceDirect, PMC).
Yet, rich as its folklore and promise may be, lemongrass is not without caveats. Most authorities agree that moderate culinary and beverage use poses minimal risk for healthy adults. Clinical studies and toxicity reviews have largely found that lemongrass, when consumed in customary amounts, is well tolerated with rare reports of allergy or gastrointestinal upset (PubChem). However, concentrated essential oils can pose risks—particularly in children, pregnant women, or those with sensitive skin—if excessively applied or ingested. While cases of serious toxicity are rare, adverse events such as contact dermatitis or oral irritation have been documented, especially with undiluted preparations (PMC, PubMed). As with any herbal remedy, individuals with underlying medical conditions, those taking regular medications, or members of high-risk groups should always seek advice from qualified healthcare providers before starting regular use.
Practically, Thai people integrate lemongrass in daily health routines by brewing herbal teas (น้ำตะไคร้), flavoring soups, adding young stalks to salads (ยำตะไคร้), or crafting invigorating herbal compress balls (ลูกประคบ). Local health promoters sometimes encourage fresh lemongrass juice or teas as part of wellness programs, particularly in rural areas where access to formal health services may be limited. In these traditions, the plant is often seen as strengthening the body’s defenses, cooling the system during tropical heat, and promoting balance—a worldview echoed in both Buddhist and traditional animist healing philosophies.
This convergence between ancestral wisdom and modern validation is not unique to Thailand; instead, it reflects a global movement toward reevaluating the therapeutic potential of indigenous plants in an age troubled by chronic disease and mounting pharmaceutical costs. What sets the Thai experience apart is the living context: daily interaction with the plant, multi-generational transfer of knowledge, and community-scale efforts to maintain traditional ecological knowledge, even as organic farming, tourism, and health entrepreneurship reshape the plant’s identity (Green Cover Initiative, Medical Health Guide).
Looking ahead, researchers recommend further scientific scrutiny in the form of controlled human clinical trials to establish effective dosing, standardize preparations, and thoroughly assess long-term safety. New studies continue to explore advanced applications—ranging from the use of lemongrass essential oil in integrative cancer protocols to its possible role in metabolic health and eco-friendly pest management. But while the march of science adds credibility and depth, the story of lemongrass is above all a reminder: sometimes the answers to new challenges begin with ancient wisdom, practiced daily in kitchens and gardens across the Land of Smiles.
For Thai readers considering the use of lemongrass for health, moderation and common-sense precautions are key. Culinary use and occasional herbal teas are generally safe, but concentrated extracts and essential oils should be used only with professional guidance, particularly by vulnerable individuals. If you are pregnant, have a chronic medical condition, or are on regular medication, consult a doctor, pharmacist, or registered traditional medicine practitioner before regular consumption. As the scientific world continues to map out the boundaries of lemongrass’s potential, Thailand’s heritage of practical, respectful, and nature-based wellness sets an inspiring example—reminding us to balance hope with humility, and to honor both past and progress in our pursuit of wellbeing.
Educational disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and inspire, not to diagnose, treat, or replace consultation with qualified health professionals. Always consult a healthcare provider before incorporating herbal remedies such as lemongrass into your health routine, especially if you have existing medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications.
Sources:
- Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Cymbopogon citratus, stapf (PMC)
- Ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry and bioactivities of Cymbopogon
- Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Cymbopogon citratus
- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Medicinal Uses and Benefits
- Phytochemical analysis and evaluation of skin irritation, acute and sub-acute toxicity of Cymbopogon citratus
- Ethnobotany, traditional use, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Cymbopogon citratus (Review article)
- Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): Growing Guide, Uses, and Benefits
- Cymbopogon citratus - Wikipedia