Lemongrass, known in Thai as ตะไคร้แกง or ตะไคร้บ้าน, has long flavored Thai kitchens and informed traditional healing practices. Its bright, citrus aroma graces curries, soups, and teas, while healers and contemporary herbalists alike have praised its medicinal potential. Today, scientists are clarifying why this plant has earned enduring respect, examining the chemistry behind its traditional uses and exploring its future role in natural health.
Cymbopogon citratus is more than a culinary symbol. It serves as a bridge between ancestral knowledge and modern inquiry. Grounding new findings in Thailand’s cultural and medical roots helps promote responsible, evidence-informed use that respects the nation’s heritage and keeps lemongrass relevant for younger generations seeking holistic wellness.
Across Thailand, lemongrass is a familiar presence in homes from rural villages to city apartments. It carries many regional names that reflect local diversity: คาหอม in Mae Hong Son, จะไคร in the north, เซิดเกรย among Khmer communities in Surin, ห่อวอตะโป่ among the Karen, and หัวสิงไค near Prachinburi. Healers have long recommended lemongrass teas or decoctions for fevers, digestive issues, menstrual cramps, and as a gentle diuretic. Folk practice also notes crushed stalks rubbed on the skin to deter insects or ease inflammation.
The story of lemongrass as food and medicine extends beyond Thailand. Across Southeast Asia—especially in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia—Cymbopogon citratus is prized for its culinary vitality and medicinal reputation. Thailand’s distinctive uses—from tom yum goong to herbal compresses—demonstrate a uniquely ingrained versatility that resonates with local flavors and daily life.
Beyond the kitchen and traditional clinics, lemongrass essential oil has a long history in Thai aromatherapy, used to ease tension and sharpen concentration. In markets and gardens alike, its slender stalks symbolize a meeting point where culture meets the growth of evidence-based herbalism.
Scientific interest in lemongrass has grown as researchers seek alternatives to antibiotics and synthetic drugs. The plant’s essential oils, particularly citral (a combination of neral and geranial), are central to its aroma and medicinal claims. Laboratory work suggests these compounds can disrupt bacterial membranes and suppress certain fungi, offering a plausible basis for traditional treatments. Minor components—terpenes, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and esters—may contribute to broad antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
A synthesis of international studies indicates lemongrass extracts and essential oils exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. Animal studies suggest fever relief, reduced swelling, and pain modulation, with potentially fewer side effects than some synthetic medicines.
Lemongrass also garners attention for digestive benefits. Northern Thai ethnobotanical surveys describe lemongrass teas as stomach remedies for bloating, nausea, and cramps. Laboratory findings support a mechanism where the essential oil reduces gut muscle contractions, aligning with traditional observations. Its mild diuretic action, believed to cool the body, has a basis in studies showing increased urine output in some models.
In modern health contexts, lemongrass is being explored as an adjunct or alternative in managing chronic conditions. Some studies note blood pressure-lowering effects in hypertensive models, while others highlight anxiolytic and sedative properties. While promising, robust human clinical trials are still limited, and many findings come from laboratory or early-stage research.
For oral health, lemongrass extracts in mouth rinses and gels have shown reductions in oral fungal loads, suggesting a potential role in managing oral candidiasis. Other studies document mild antimicrobial effects for skincare and the development of lemongrass-based personal care products that blend traditional wisdom with contemporary consumer needs.
As with any herbal remedy, lemongrass carries cautions. Culinary and moderate beverage use is generally safe for healthy adults. Concentrated essential oils can pose risks, particularly for children, pregnant women, or those with sensitive skin, if used undiluted. Adverse effects such as contact dermatitis or oral irritation have been reported. People with underlying conditions or who take medications should consult a qualified healthcare provider before regular use.
In Thailand, lemongrass is woven into daily health practices: brewing herbal teas, flavoring soups, adding young stalks to salads, or making herbal compress balls. Health promoters in rural areas often advocate fresh lemongrass juice or tea as part of wellness initiatives, reflecting a belief in its cooling effects during tropical heat and its role in holistic balance—a perspective rooted in Buddhist and traditional healing philosophies.
The Thai experience mirrors a global trend toward reevaluating indigenous plants amid rising chronic disease and pharmaceutical costs. What sets Thailand apart is the living, everyday relationship with the plant—across generations, in communities, and through local health entrepreneurship that preserves traditional knowledge while embracing innovation.
Looking ahead, scientists call for more controlled human trials to establish dosing, standardize preparations, and assess long-term safety. New research continues to explore advanced uses, from lemongrass essential oil in integrative cancer care to potential benefits for metabolic health and eco-friendly pest management. The journey highlights how ancient wisdom, practiced in kitchens and gardens, can inform modern science.
For Thai readers considering lemongrass for health, moderation and common sense are key. Culinary use and occasional herbal teas are typically safe, but concentrated extracts and essential oils should be used with professional guidance, especially for pregnant individuals or those with medical conditions. If you are pregnant, have a chronic condition, or take regular medications, consult a healthcare professional before regular consumption. As science maps lemongrass’s potential, Thailand’s heritage of practical, respectful, nature-based wellness offers a thoughtful model for balancing hope with caution.
Disclaimer: This article provides information and inspiration, not medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a healthcare professional before adding herbal remedies such as lemongrass to your routine, particularly if you have existing conditions or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Notes on sources and attribution are integrated within the narrative. Data and findings are attributed to research from major institutions and peer-reviewed journals.