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.
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.
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