Geranium grass
StarCymbopogon schoenanthus
Synonyms: Sorghum schoenanthus, Andropogon schoenanthus, Cymbopogon citriodorus, Trachypogon schoenanthus
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Across North Africa, the Sahara and the Middle East, camel grass is a long-established folk remedy. The fragrant leaves and whole plant are brewed as an aromatic tea taken for digestive complaints, colic, stomach ache and to relieve bloating and intestinal gas, as well as for fevers; in the Saharan zone the infusion is also valued as a diuretic and antispasmodic, and in regions such as Timbuktu (Mali) the herbal tea is used in womens' gynaecological care during and after childbirth (Khadri et al., 2008).
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Botanical Description
Cymbopogon schoenanthus, the camel grass, is a densely tufted, aromatic perennial grass of the family Poaceae, widespread across the deserts and semi-arid lands of North Africa, the Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Asia. It forms compact clumps from a short rhizome, with numerous slender, erect culms reaching 30 to 100 centimetres tall. The narrow, greyish-green linear leaves are flat to rolled, smooth, and strongly fragrant when crushed, releasing an aroma reminiscent of lemongrass owing to a high content of essential oil dominated by the monoterpene piperitone. The inflorescence is a narrow, often reddish to purplish-tinged panicle of paired racemes subtended by spathe-like bracts, bearing the awned and awnless spikelet pairs typical of the genus. Well adapted to drought and sandy or stony desert soils, it is an important component of arid rangelands and is widely harvested for its aromatic foliage.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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