--- title: "Lemongrass: Benefits, Uses & Side Effects | Herbadex" description: "Lemongrass is traditionally used as a tea for stomach complaints; an oil mouthwash improved gum health in one small trial. Avoid it in pregnancy." language: en url: https://herbadex.com/en/herb/lemongrass/ source: Herbadex (https://herbadex.com) --- [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) # Lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus B Limited clinical evidence Lemongrass is traditionally used as a tea for stomach complaints; an oil mouthwash improved gum health in one small trial. Avoid it in pregnancy. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) ![](/illustrations/kuru-bitki.svg)L Lemongrass Pregnancy **⚠ Avoid** Breastfeeding **⚠ Avoid** Children **Unknown** Drug interactions **No recorded interactions** ## At a glance Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is a lemon-scented tropical grass used in Asian cooking. Folk medicine uses it as a tea for stomach ache and digestive complaints; these uses are not clinically confirmed. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) and lemon balm are different plants. **Parts used:** leaves and stalks **Key constituents:** Essential oil (citral: geranial and neral), Myrcene, Flavonoids Updated: October 24, 2026 Sources and research limitations appear below. The existence of a source does not mean every use has been clinically verified. ## What is it used for? - T Traditional use Lemongrass has traditionally been used in South American and Chinese folk medicine for stomach ache, abdominal pain and digestive complaints, and as an antispasmodic. No clinical trials support these uses. \[1\] - B Limited clinical evidence In a small randomized pilot trial in 45 adults with chronic severe gum disease (periodontitis), a mouthwash with 0.25% lemongrass oil used twice daily for 3 months in addition to brushing improved gum measures and blood CRP compared with brushing alone, with results similar to chlorhexidine mouthwash. This applies to that mouthwash product. \[1\] ## How is it used? ### Tea Dried or fresh leaves are steeped as a tea. Studies used infusions of 2–4 g of leaves a day; avoid higher amounts, as 8 g a day lowered kidney values. \[1\] ### Food Fresh stalks and leaves are used as a culinary spice; in the US it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a food. \[1\] ## Safety & interactions - There is no safety information for pregnancy or breastfeeding; do not use it as a tea or supplement. - People with kidney disease should be careful; tea made from 8 g of leaves a day lowered kidney filtration values within 30 days. - Inhaling lemongrass essential oil has caused serious lung inflammation (toxic alveolitis); do not take the oil by mouth or inhale it heavily. - Allergic skin reactions are rare; do not apply the essential oil undiluted to the skin. - Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) and lemon balm also smell of lemon and can be confused with it; check the Latin name on the label. \[1\] ### Drug interactions No recorded interactions ### Side effects - Rare allergic reactions and contact dermatitis - Lower kidney filtration values with large amounts of tea - Toxic alveolitis after inhaling the essential oil (two cases) #### ⚕ When to see a doctor - If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops - If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen - If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs ## Frequently asked questions What is lemongrass tea good for? Folk medicine uses it for stomach and abdominal pain and digestive complaints. These uses have not been confirmed in clinical trials. Does lemongrass lower blood sugar? In a study where people drank lemongrass tea for two weeks, blood sugar did not fall. There are no data supporting this use. Is lemongrass the same as lemon verbena? No. Lemongrass is a grass (Cymbopogon citratus), while lemon verbena is a shrub called Aloysia citrodora. Both smell of lemon, so check the Latin name on the label. Can I drink lemongrass tea while pregnant? There is no safety information for pregnancy or breastfeeding; because it affected cell division in lab studies, avoiding it in pregnancy is advised. Is lemongrass bad for the kidneys? Tea made from 8 g of leaves a day for 30 days lowered kidney filtration values; this was not reported with 2–4 g. Ask your doctor if you have kidney disease. ## Sources Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval. 1. [Lemongrass](https://www.drugs.com/npp/lemongrass.html) Drugs.com — Natural Products (Wolters Kluwer) · 2026 · Reference book Source accessed: October 24, 2026 ### Cite This Page Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/lemongrass/ ## Related guides and comparisons - [How to Use Essential Oils Safely](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/essential-oil-safety/) - [Herbal Products in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/herbal-products-in-pregnancy/) - [Same Name, Different Plants](https://herbadex.com/en/guide/same-name-different-plants/) ## On this page At a glance What is it used for? How is it used? Safety & interactions Frequently asked questions Sources Related herbs ## Related herbs ### [Peppermint Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/peppermint-oil/) A Strong clinical evidence Mentha × piperita Gastro-resistant peppermint oil capsules may ease IBS cramps, wind and pain; oil rubbed on the forehead may ease mild tension headache. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Joints, Bones & Pain](https://herbadex.com/en/for/joints-pain/) +1 [Essential Oil](https://herbadex.com/en/form/essential-oil/) ### [Anise](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/anise/) B Limited clinical evidence Pimpinella anisum Aniseed tea is traditionally used for mild digestive complaints such as bloating and wind, and for cough that comes with a cold. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Seed](https://herbadex.com/en/form/seed/) ### [Common Mallow](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/common-mallow/) B Limited clinical evidence Malva sylvestris L. Common mallow leaves and flowers are traditionally used for throat irritation and mild digestive discomfort; avoid medicinal use in pregnancy and under 12. [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) +1 [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ![](/illustrations/kuru-bitki.svg)O Oregano ### [Oregano](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/oregano/) B Limited clinical evidence Origanum onites, Origanum vulgare Oregano (Origanum) is traditionally used as a tea for indigestion and coughs; clinical evidence is limited. Avoid more than food amounts in pregnancy. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) +1 [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Mountain Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/mountain-tea/) B Limited clinical evidence Sideritis scardica Griseb. Mountain tea (Sideritis scardica) has traditional uses for cold-related cough and mild digestive discomfort; species identity and pregnancy precautions matter. [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) +1 [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Raspberry Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/raspberry-leaf/) B Limited clinical evidence Rubus idaeus L. Raspberry leaf has traditional uses for mild diarrhoea, mouth and throat irritation, and period cramps. Medicinal use during pregnancy is not recommended. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Respiratory, Throat & Mouth](https://herbadex.com/en/for/respiratory/) +2 [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ## Other herbs in the same preparation form (Dried Herb & Tea) [Dried Herb & Tea →](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Psyllium Husk](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/psyllium-husk/) A Strong clinical evidence Plantago ovata Taken with plenty of water, psyllium husk helps soften stools in constipation; keep a gap between it and other medicines. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [St. John's Wort](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/st-johns-wort/) A Strong clinical evidence Hypericum perforatum St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill. [Sleep, Stress & Mood](https://herbadex.com/en/for/sleep-stress/) [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Black Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/black-tea/) A Strong clinical evidence Camellia sinensis Its caffeine can increase attention and alertness. Observational studies link regular tea drinking to lower cardiovascular risk. [Energy & Focus](https://herbadex.com/en/for/energy-focus/) [Heart & Circulation](https://herbadex.com/en/for/heart-circulation/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) ### [Artichoke Leaf](https://herbadex.com/en/herb/artichoke-leaf/) B Limited clinical evidence Cynara cardunculus (syn. C. scolymus) Artichoke leaf is traditionally used for indigestion with fullness, bloating and wind; it must not be used with gallbladder disease. [Digestion](https://herbadex.com/en/for/digestion/) [Dried Herb & Tea](https://herbadex.com/en/form/dried-herb-tea/) This page is for information only and is not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant, or have a health condition, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before use.