Xiang Mao is known in Taiwan as the “aromatic grass of rapid enlightenment.” It has been used for centuries as the source of aromatic oil in perfumery, flavorings, and traditional remedies. It was traditionally used to freshen household air, enlighten the mind, and moisturise skin. It was also used in folk remedies for its calming effects and to promote relaxation. –from Young Living Essential Oils
Xiang Mao (Cymbopogon citratus) commonly known as West Indian lemon grass, red lemon grass, or simply lemon grass, is a tropical plant native to Maritime Southeast Asia and introduced to many tropical regions. In its native range, Cymbopogon citratus is known as sereh, serai, or serai dapur in Indonesia and Malaysia; and tanglad, salai, or balioko in the Philippines.
Plant appearance: a perennial herb with long, sharp-edged blades. It grows in dense clumps best in tropical climates.
Part used: dried leaves
Therapeutic Uses: per healthline.com: it is an antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, may help prevent gastric ulcers or relieve nausea, may ease diarrhea, may help reduce cholesterol, may help regulate blood sugar and lipids, may act as a pain reliever, may help relieve stress and anxiety, and may help relieve headaches and migraine.
Other uses: Beekeepers sometimes use lemon grass oil in swarm traps to attract swarms. Lemon grass oil has also been tested for its ability to repel the pestilent stable fly, which bite domestic animals.
Precautions: not to be taken internally; not to be used by pregnant or nursing women, or those with kidney or liver dysfunction
RECIPE
Clear Your Mind Diffuser Blend
–from Lala Essential Oils
3 drops lavender EO
3 drops geranium EO
3 drops cedarwood EO
3 drops Xiang Mao EO
Tao Talk 
Tea made with lemon grass is very good.
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I need to see if my favorite herb store carries it, thanks for the tip, Sadje.
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I make it in a flask and have it lukewarm many times a day. It tastes good and cleanses the system of oxidants.
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I used to like lemon grass tea. But have been either pregnant or breastfeeding for the past few years. So, there is a box of dried lemongrass somewhere in my pantry
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Then you have something to look forward to at some point. Good to know it tastes good.
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I bought lemongrass a couple of times for cooking, but I find it’s hard to cut. I don’t think I did it correctly. It smells nice.
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I checked my herb store and they have it already cut and ready for tea.
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Lemon grass smells heavenly! I use it fresh for cooking.
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I wonder if could grow some in a pot and bring it in in winter time?
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I think it can be grown in a pot.
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his recipe sounds great, thanks for sharing this beautiful herb!
X is for…
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You are very welcome Frederique.
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“Rapid enlightenment.” Wouldn’t that be nice… :D
The Multicolored Diary
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:) Uh huh!
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Lemon grass is an essential part of my tea. Usually I add it to my tea leaves and store in a jar.
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My daily tea is rooibos, but that’s very flexible with adding things. I’m going to buy some lemon grass and try it.
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I grow lemon grass in my backyard. So I wash it and then dry it in the future shade. After that just chop it into small pieces and add it to the tea leaves.
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:)
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Great for tea.
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I grow lemon grass to keep away the mosquitos
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I wonder if lemon grass is what they make citronella from?
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I think so
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Citronella is another plant. I have a large one in our garden to hopefully keep the mosquitos away!
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Yes! And lemon thyme as well is a repellent.
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Love lemon grass tea. When we moved to Doha, a friend gave me a plant and that plant has given so many babies, I’ve lost count. I have a couple in pots that I put near our entrance, as they seem to keep the mosquitoes out.
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Your feedback and feedback of others has convinced me to not only try the tea but to grow some in a pot.
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I’ve never tried Lemon grass in any of its forms. I didn’t know that it was also known as Xiang Mao.
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I haven’t (yet) and didn’t either until I researched for the post.
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Oh! And we got to learn a new fact. :)
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I’m drinking a cup of rooibos tea with lemongrass just now! I also use it in cooking and recently came across a jar of ready prepared minced lemongrass. Very easy to use, but not quite the same tang to its taste.
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Ah! I love knowing you drink rooibos. It’s my daily tea. Am working on getting some lemongrass (in a jar.) What kind of dishes do you use it in?
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Mostly Thai curries and I recently used the paste to pep up a salad dressing which worked well.
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Yummy!
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I do quite a bit of Thai cooking, and lemon grass is an essential ingredient in most of my favourite dishes.
X is for …
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So you’re funny and you can cook. Nice combination!
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What a wonderful X entry. Lemongrass is one of those oils I like in small doses. I think of it as a sort of “brightener” but too much overwhelms me. But I’m definitely more tolerant of it in food and beverages.
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Good to know, Deborah. I went to the herb store last night and debated between choosing the herb or the oil and went with the herb.
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Is this also the lemongrass that is used in Asian cuisine?
Enlightening is always a good thing :-)
My X is about Switzerland’s xenophobic tendences
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-z-2020-switzerland-xenophobic.html
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Yes, I believe it is, Tamara.
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Mmmm, that blend really would clear your mind. Just need geranium now :)
So I guess wearing lemongrass as a perfume in summer would not be a good idea!
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As a blend! Or turn it into a hydrolat. Mix in water then filter twice through a coffee filter.
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It’s a pretty looking plant. Weekends In Maine
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i love lemon grass. It smells so good. xoxo
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I haven’t smelled it yet.
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I thought lemon grass was used in some recipes? Or am I thinking of something else?
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Yes, it is, Kathe. I think a lot of these have multiple uses depending on which form they are in.
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I love the scent of lemon grass :-)
An A-Z of Faerie: Fates
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I’ve had this before and liked it.
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As tea? I think they have it at the herb store and plan on giving it a try.
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At a restaurant…I want to say it was an India restaurant.
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Thanx for sharing this 😊 that’s so interesting. “Aromatic grass for rapid elightenment.” 😌
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:) You are very welcome.
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