Camel grass, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Sweet cane, Sweet rush, Spikenard oil

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 8 min read

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This article explains Camel grass Facts in simple medical language.
This article explains Camel Grass Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Health benefits of Camel Grass in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses and benefits of Camel grass in simple medical language.

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Definition

Camel grass scientifically known as Cymbopogon schoenanthus is an herbal plant native to the southern Asia and northern Africa. The plant belongs to Poaceae ⁄ Gramineae (Grass family). Some of the popular common names of the plant are Camel hay, Camel hay grass, Lemon-scented grass, Sweet cane, Sweet rush, Spikenard oil, Geranium grass, fever grass, scenanth, West Indian Lemon Grass and ginger grass. The plant is collected from the wild, and is also occasionally cultivated, for its essential oil which is used medicinally and in perfumery. Much respected by the ancient Greeks and Romans, the oil is still sold sometimes in local markets.

Camel grass Facts

Name	Camel Grass
Scientific Name	Cymbopogon schoenanthus
Native	Southern Asia and northern Africa
Common Names	Camel Grass, Fever Grass, West Indian Lemon Grass, camel’s hay, geranium grass, ginger grass, sweet rush
Name in Other Languages	Arabic: هشمه (هَشْمه) Bengali: Agyoghas, Gandhabena, Ramakarpura Burmese: Sabalin-hmwe Dutch: Kamelhewe English: Camel grass, Camel hay, Camel hay grass, Lemon-scented grass, Sweet cane, Sweet rush, Spikenard oil, Geranium grass, fever grass, scenanth, West Indian Lemon Grass French: Herbe des chameaux, Citronnelle de Madagascar, Herbe à chameau German: Kamelgras Gujarati: Roshdo, Roshghas Hindi: Aghin ghās (अघिनघास), Agiyā ghās (अगिया घास), Atigandha (अतिगन्ध), Bujina, Buraro, Gandhel (गन्धेल), Gandh-bel, Mirchiagand, Palakhari, Rohisha, Rousaghas, Rusaghas, Saundhiya, Sugani Kannada: Vasanchullu Malayalam: Sambarapul, Shankanaru-pillu Marathi: Rohisha, Rosegavat, Rosegavath, Rushagavat, Rushagavath Portuguese: Capim-cheiroso, Capim-cidreira, Capim-cidrilho, Capim-ciri, Capim-de-cheiro, Capim-limão Punjabi: Rauns Sanskrit: Kutrnam, Paura, Putimugdala, Rohishatrina, Sugandhatrinashita Spanish: Pasto de camellos Swedish: Kamelgräs Tamil: Camparappul, Cukkunarippul, Curumam, Kamatcippul, Kantaketam, Karpurappul, Karuppurappul, Kavattampu Unani: Rusaa Ghaas, Izkhar. Urdu: Aghin ghās (اگهن گهاس ), Agiyā ghās (اگيا گهاس) , Atigandha (اتگندهہ) , Gandhel (گندهيل )
Plant Growth Habit	Compact, tufted, evergreen, perennial grass
Growing Climates	Open habitats in dry soils, On dry stony ground of sub-desert bush land
Soil	Grows best in a dry to moist, well-drained soil
Plant Size	30 – 60cm tall
Leaf	Leaf-blades filiform, or linear; flat, or involute; 10-35 cm long; 1-4 mm wide; aromatic. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous
Taste	Sweet mixed bitter taste
Plant Parts Used	Leaves, root
Precautions	The plant has been known to irritate the skin of some individuals, particularly with those with lemongrass allergies.

Camel Grass Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Cymbopogon schoenanthus

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (land plants)
Superdivision	Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Subdivision	Spermatophytina (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
Class	Liliopsida (Monocotyledons)
Subclass	Commelinidae
Superorder	Lilianae (monocots, monocotyledons, monocotyledons)
Order	Cyperales
Family	Poaceae ⁄ Gramineae (Grass family)
Genus	Cymbopogon Spreng. (lemon grass)
Species	Cymbopogon schoenanthus (L.) Spreng (camel grass)
Synonyms	Andropogon circinnatus Hochst. ex Steud Andropogon eriophorus Willd Andropogon iwarancusa subsp. laniger (Desf.) Hook.f Andropogon jwarancusa subsp. laniger (Desf.) Hook. f Andropogon laniger Munro Andropogon lanigerum Desf Andropogon mascatensis Gand Andropogon nardoides Nees Andropogon schoenanthus L Andropogon schoenanthus var. versicolor (Nees ex Steud.) Hack Andropogon versicolor Nees ex Steud Cymbopogon arabicus Nees ex Steud Cymbopogon circinnatus (Hochst. & Steud.) Hochst. ex Hack Cymbopogon citriodorus Link Cymbopogon schoenanthus subsp. velutinus Cope Cymbopogon versicolor (Nees ex Steud.) W.Watson Lagurus schoenanthus (L.) Steud Sorghum schoenanthus (L.) Kuntze Trachypogon schoenanthus (L.) Nees

Plant Description

Camel grass is a compact, tufted, evergreen, perennial grass that grows about 30 – 60cm tall. The plant is found growing in open habitats in dry soils, on dry stony ground of sub-desert bushland. It grows best in dry to moist, well-drained soil. Leaf-blades of the plant are filiform, or linear; flat, or involute; 10-35 cm long 1-4 mm wide and aromatic. The leaf-blade surface is scaberulous. The plant has sweet mixed bitter taste. Normally leaves and roots of the plant are used medicinally.

Health benefits of Camel Grass

Few of the popular health benefits of consuming camel grass plant are listed below

1. For Cold, cough, sore throat

Rosa grass is taken a fist full added with 4 parts of hot water, macerated and filtered. This hot infusion is administered in the dose of 30-40 ml as per the need twice or thrice a day. It is effective for cold, cough, sore throat etc.

2. Headache and Nasal Congestion

Tender grass is made into fine paste and applied over forehead. This relieves the nasal congestion and headache. Also this relieves the stress.

3. Urticarial rashes and dryness

10-15 g of the fresh grass is cooked with a cup of milk. A pinch of turmeric powder is added and administered. This relieves urticarial rashes and dryness of the body.

4. Stiffness of the joint and muscle pain

Grass decoction is administered in the dose of 20-30 ml along with fine powder of ginger or cumin seeds. This relieves the pain and stiffness of the joints.

5. Sinusitis and nasal congestion

The readily available grass oil is instilled to the nostrils (in adults). This relieves the nasal congestion and sinusitis.

6. Indigestion and flatulence

Water distillate of the grass is administered along with butter milk or warm water. This relieves the digestion related health issues.

Traditional uses and benefits of Camel grass

It opens obstructions and orifices of veins.
It is diuretic and emenagogue.
It dissolves the stones and the hard inflammation in the stomach, liver, and kidneys, when drunk or used as a poultice.
Roots or stems of the plant strengthen the base of the teeth and the stomach.
It also relieves nausea and restrains the belly.
The plant is also used as astringent and febrifuge and in rheumatism.
It serves as a good source of commercially useful aromatic oils.
Inner core of the rhizome is eaten as an aphrodisiac.
An infusion of the inflorescence is drunk in the treatment of fevers.
Inflorescence is used to produce an abortion.
Mashed up flowers, or ashes of the plant, are applied to guinea worm-sores.
Grass is used for treating snake-bites.
Leaves, pounded with a little water, are used as an embrocation for relieving aches in the body.
Smoke from the burning grass is said to dispel temporary maniacal symptoms.

Other Facts

Plant is grown to control soil erosion in S. America.
Oil is sometimes used in perfumery.
Grass is commonly used for thatching.
Wells dug in sandy soil are reverted with the culms of the grass, whilst it is also chopped up and mixed with clay for building huts, used for zaanaa matting, and by nomads for covering their huts.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Drink safe fluids and monitor temperature.
In dengue-prone areas, discuss CBC and platelet count when fever persists or warning signs appear.
Use tepid sponging for high fever discomfort; avoid ice-cold bathing.

OTC medicine safety

For fever, common fever medicine may be discussed with a clinician or pharmacist.
Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen-like medicines in suspected dengue unless a doctor says it is safe.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Fever with breathing difficulty, confusion, repeated vomiting, bleeding, severe weakness, stiff neck, or dehydration needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician

Tests to discuss with doctor

Temperature chart and hydration assessment
CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first

If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story

Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician

A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests

Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse

If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

Internal learning pathway

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Camel grass Facts