SE Asia / Oceana
Cymbopogon citratus – Victor CastilloMelaleuca alternifolia – Christina Castro
Aleurites moluccana – Apollonia MendozaPiper betle – Jacklyn Vicente
Biology 454L – Medical EthnobotanyCSULA Fall Quarter 2010
Cymbopogon citratus
Taxonomy and Ecology
Scientific Name: Cymbopogon citratus
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Common name(s): Lemongrass, barbed wire grass, silky heads, oil grass.
Lemongrass is a tall, perennial, aromatic grass that is native to the tropical regions of South East Asia, especially India. Has a branched cluster of stalked flowers and leaf blades. Can grow up to 6’ tall. It is one of about 55 species of grasses
Traditional Uses For LemongrassThailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia:, India: It is one of the most important flavorings used for cooking due to its Citral oil, which gives a sour lemon flavor and aroma. Used fresh, dried, or powdered leaves
Philippines: Root, stem, and leaf are boiled in water in order to separate the lemongrass oil. Such oil is mixed with coconut oil. This oil mixture is widely used in aromatherapy.
India: Boiled leaf oil used to treat bacterial and fungal infections as well as fever. Brew of water and leaves is used as an antiseptic, antitussive, and anti rheumatic.
South America: Widely used in folk medicine as an antispasmodic, analgesic, anti fever, and antiemetic. Also treats flatulence, nervous and gastrointestinal disorders by drinking a brew of leaves and water(abafado).
China: Brew of leaves and water is used to treat abdominal, head, stomach, and rheumatic pain.
The very few experiments done on Lemongrass only credit the antifungal properties of Lemongrass.
Modern Uses For LemongrassCosmetics and Home/Cleaning Products: Lemongrass oil contains myrcene, (7-Methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene). Due to its fragrant lemon aroma and volatile properties, lemongrass oil is used in soaps, candles, hair care products, home cleaning products, and perfumery.
Pesticide aerosols, insect repellents, flavorant: Lemongrass oil contains citral, (3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal). This compound has pheromonal effects on insects and is therefore used as a natural pesticide. When burned, the oil serves as insect repellent. Citral’s strong lemon taste and very low toxicity make it a suitable flavorant for human consumption.
Homeopathic Medicine: Although the exact mechanism of action is not known, Lemon grass oil and dried leaf powder is used to treat asthma, bladder disorders, coughs, headaches, excessive sweating, acne, and athlete’s foot.
Allopathic Medicine: No pharmaceutical derivatives exist that have been approved by the FDA. Citral, found in lemongrass oil, is currently being researched in Israel as a potential cancer cure as is causes apoptosis in cancer cells.
Lemongrass oil is extracted from the leaves and stems using distillation
Citral (3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal)
Myrcene (7-Methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene
Active Ingredients in Lemongrass
MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA
Plant Family: Myrtaceae
Large bushy evergreen shrub, grows 18 ft tall
Tea Tree, Snow in Summer White fluffy spring and
summer flowers
Melaleuca alternifolia
Native to Australia (Queensland, New South Wales)
Common name: Tea Tree Produces tea tree oil: antifungal,
antiseptic, antibacterial Ethnobotanical uses: Aborigines
soaked the leaves in hot water and inhaled the oil vapors for colds and coughs, also used for bruises, insect bites, skin infections
WWII soldiers supplied oil; bush cutters exempt from service
Melaleuca alternifolia
TEA TREE OIL Extracted from leaves and stems by
steam distillation which allows the oil to separate
Active compounds: terpinene, cineole, and limonene Terpinen-4-ol (major component of oil)
Properties: analgesic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antiviral, expectorant, fungicidal
Sold OTC: Australia, Europe, N. America
Found in: Soaps, lotions Deodorants Disinfectants Gargles, Mouthwash Germicides
TEA TREE OIL Can be toxic or produce
adverse effects if taken orally Skin rash, abdominal pain,
diarrhea, inflammation of the mouth, confusion, coma
Dermal application may produce: skin irritation, allergic rash, redness, blistering, itching
Modern uses: Acne, Asthma, Athlete’s Foot Blisters, Bronchitis Candida, Colds, Coughs Ear and nose infections Fungal infections, Herpes Insect bites, Skin rashes Strep throat, Warts
Aleurites moluccana
“Candlenut”
Candlenut
• Family: Euphoribiaceae• Genus: Aleurites• Species: Aleurites
Malucnna
• Active Compound: Linoleic acid (also contains Vitamins A
and E)
• Plant Description:
• Tree that grows 15-25 meters high
• Pale green leaves (10-20 cm long)
• Fruit nut (4-6cm diameter) with a very hard seed coat
Other NamesOrigin and History
• Originated from Polynesia• Serves as a symbol of
enlightenment, protection and peace in Hawaiian mythology
• Considered to be the physical manifestation of Kamapua’a, the hog man fertility demigod
• Indian Walnut• Candleberry• Kuikui nut tree• Kemiri• Varnish Tree• Tuitui
Candlenut Uses
Medicinal • Skin care• Oil used as laxative• Oil used for Joint
pain• Flowers used for Oral
Candidiasis• Bark used for
Tumors• Leaves boiled to
c cure headache
Non Medicinal Oil (for light) Shampoo Toys Traditional beads Wood preservation Dye (tattoo) Cooking (like Castor oil, and to make Inamona) Paint
Piper Betle
Where?~*S.E. Asia ^_^IndiaMalaysiaPhilippinesThailandIndonesiaVietnamBurmaCambodia
Storytime!
CultivationVine creeperFertile soil/manure/heavy moistureLeaves mature in 1 yearLeaves cut May/June
(before monsoon season)
Chavicol
Estragoletarragon
Eugenolclove
CymeneCumin/thyme
Turpinenecardamom
Eucalyptoleucalyptus
Carvacroloregano
Cardinenejuniper
CaryophylleneHemp/rosemary
CHEMISTRY!!
Mostly CHEWED!Antiseptic Stimulant/Heightens senseseuphoriaFreshens breath Suppresses hungerReduces stressPromotes salivation
Betel leaves + Areca nut + limestoneConnection to marriageServed to honored guests
CHEW, CHEW, CHEW……
mouthwash
oil
tea
Medicinal PropertiesCure wormsHalitosisAphrodisiac qualitiesRelieves/strengthen gums (toothache)IndigestionAntibioticDecongestionConstipationAids in lactationShrinks the vaginal canal
pills
powder hygiene products
Mechanism-Mainly affects the central and autonomic nervous systems
-Contains aromatic phenolic compounds that stimulate the release of catecholamines
-Betel chewing may affect parasympathetic, GABAnergic and sympathetic functions
-EEG shows widespread cortical desynchronization indicating a state of arousal
-Increases plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine
References• Botanical.com: http://www.botanical.com/products/learn/eo/tea_tree.html• Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tea-tree-oil/NS_patient-teatreeoil• Carsen, C.F., Hammer, K.A., and Riley, T.V..” Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) Oil: a Review of
Antimicrobial and other Medicinal Properties.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2006: 50-62• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleurites_moluccana• http://www.spicesmedicinalherbs.com/candlenut-aleurites-moluccana.html• http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=337• Leite JR, Seabra Mde L, Maluf E, et al. (July 1986). "Pharmacology of lemongrass (Cymbopogon
citratus Stapf). III. Assessment of eventual toxic, hypnotic and anxiolytic effects on humans". J Ethnopharmacol 17 (1): 75–83.
• Dudai N, Weinstein Y, Krup M, Rabinski T, Ofir R (May 2005). "Citral is a new inducer of caspase-3 in tumor cell lines". Planta Med. 71 (5): 484–8
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbopogon• Akhila, Anand. Essential Oil-Bearing Grasses: The genus Cymbopogon (Medicinal and Aromatic
Plants - Industrial Profiles). CRC Press. Aug 2009.