Citronella or Indian Verbena, named by the English speakers ‘Lemon Grass’ is a very common grass in West and Central Africa, but also in South East Asia where it originates.
Lemongrass is an evergreen plant with rhizomes. It forms dense clumps of slender leaves of a gray-green color with a lemon scent.
The yellowish-white fleshy base is used fresh in Asian cuisine (Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam) to flavor, carry, vegetables, meats, fish, shellfish, sauces, soups etc …
In Africa, lemongrass is mostly used fresh or dried in infusions for its refreshing scent and the soothing it provides.
Lemongrass is used as a medicinal plant to fight infections like influenza, lung disease.
The settlers used it during the yellow fever epidemics.
Lemongrass is often planted near the house because its smell repels mosquitoes.
