Herb library

Bhutrina (Lemongrass)

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

Chai patti — a citrus grass that settles the stomach and lifts a heavy head.

Lemongrass clump · Herb · Parts: Leaf, Stalk, Essential oil

Taste (rasa)
Pungent, Bitter
Energy (virya)
Heating
Balances
Kapha, Vata

What it is used for

Benefits

  • Calms an unsettled stomach and eases gas after eating
  • Aromatic tea used for tension headaches and mental fog
  • Traditionally used for mild fever and body ache

How it has been used

Traditional uses & benefits

Bhutrina is a light aromatic grass used as a household jvarahara (fever-easing) tea — warming, drying and calming to a churning stomach.

Traditional uses

  • Unsettled stomach, gas and mild indigestion
  • Tension headaches and mental heaviness
  • Mild fever, body ache and the start of a cold

Practical guidance

  1. 1Bruise the stalk before simmering so the oils release into the water.
  2. 2Ginger and lemongrass together are the standard household cold remedy.
  3. 3Use the leaf tea internally; keep the essential oil for steam and diluted massage only.

How much

Dosage

1-2 cups of tea daily from 1 teaspoon dried or 1 fresh stalk.

How to take it

Preparation & usage

Lemongrass tea

Simmer a bruised stalk with ginger for 5 minutes and strain.

Mid-morning or evening

Steam inhalation

Add a few drops of the essential oil to hot water and inhale.

When congested

Read this first

Precautions

  • Avoid medicinal doses and the essential oil internally in pregnancy
  • Undiluted oil irritates skin — always dilute in a carrier oil
  • Very frequent strong tea may not suit people with low blood pressure

Where this comes from

Sources

Where to buy

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