Learn an Herb: Lemongrass

Lemongrass is an herb that is not too showy, but has a delicious fragrance and is found in many herbal shampoos and soaps. It can easily be grown in the home garden, although it is not able to overwinter.
Lemongrass  can be made into a tea and used to aid congestion, cough, bladder problems, headaches, fever, digestive problems, diarrhea, gas, vomiting, and flu symptoms. It is a pain reliever and acts as a mild setative. It has also been shown to reduce cholesterol in some people.
Externally, lemongrass can be used as an oil or packed onto the skin. It has proved helpful in treating athlete's foot, cuts, scrapes, back pain, sciatica, sprains, tendonitis, neuralsia, circulatory problems, rheumatism, and acne. The crushed leaves can also be rubbed onto the skin for an on-the-spot insect repellent!
This herb should be avoided in young children and while pregnant, as it is thought to help start menstrual flow. There have been no contradictions for its use during breastfeeding.