The genus Cymbopogon comprises several lemongrass species ⁽¹⁾ prevalent in tropical regions of Africa and Asia, ⁽²⁾ including C. citratus (West Indian) and C. flexuosus (East Indian). Lemongrass is widely used as a flavoring agent in Asian cuisine, in perfumery, and as an insect repellent ⁽⁶⁾. It has been used in folk medicine as a sedative ⁽³⁾, to reduce gastrointestinal problems ⁽⁴⁾, and for its CNS-depressant effects ⁽⁵⁾. Lemongrass is also consumed as a tea and used in aromatherapy.

Preclinical studies suggest lemongrass has many properties including antimicrobial ^{(21) (23) (24)}, anxiolytic ⁽³⁵⁾, and vasorelaxant ⁽¹⁰⁾ effects. Limited data in humans suggest lemongrass essential oil products might help chronic periodontitis ^(41) (50) and oral thrush ⁽⁷⁾. In other studies, lemongrass tea did not reduce anxiety or benefit sleep ⁽⁵⁾.

High doses or long-term use of lemongrass tea may have adverse effects on renal function ⁽⁴⁴⁾.