Botanical Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steud.) J. F. Watson

Synonyms: Andropogon flexuosus Nees ex Steud.; East Indian lemongrass, Cochin lemongrass.

Botanical Name: Cymbopogon citratus (DC. ex Nees) Stapf

Synonyms: Andropogon citratus DC. ex Nees ; West Indian lemongrass, lemongrass, fever grass.

Family: Poaceae (Graminae).

Origin: Native to Asia. Grows wild in tropical and subtropical regions. East Indian lemongrass grows in eastern India, Cambodia, Singapore, Sri Lanka. West Indian lemongrass grows in Madagascar, Guatemala, Comoro Islands, Brazil, Haiti, Puerto Rico.

Botanical Description: Both are tall, fast growing, herbaceous, perennial grasses up to 1.5 meter high and very aromatic.

Oil Extraction: Essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the freshly cut (East Indian lemongrass) or partially dried (West Indian lemongrass) grass. East Indian lemongrass oil is a pale yellow to brown-yellowish mobile liquid. West Indian lemongrass oil is a pale yellow to brownish mobile liquid.   Yield 0.2 to 0.3% (E.I) and 0.31 to 0.4% (W.I).

Aroma Profile: East Indian lemongrass oil has a characteristic fresh, grassy, lemon-like aroma. The West Indian lemongrass oil has a strong citral odor.

Major Constituents: East Indian lemongrass- Geranial up to 60%, neral up to 30%, geraniol up to 4%, limonene, linalool. West Indian lemongrass- Geranial up to 60%, neral   up to 30%, myrcene up to 20%, linalool.

Adulterants: Not typically adulterated.

Regulatory Status: GRAS 182.20

Aromatherapy: Cleansing, vitalizing, stimulating.

Blends well with: Geranium, bergamot, lemon, orange, pine, jasmine, citronella, lavender, basil.

Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-sensitizing. Mild skin irritant.